West Virginia University Extension’s Energy Express program has been awarded a $50,000 Sparking Early Literacy Growth grant, a statewide initiative to enhance literacy instruction for elementary-aged children. The grant was made possible by the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
This funding will kickstart the creation of the Energy Express Literacy Leaders program. The Literacy Leaders program will engage up to 10 site supervisors who are certified teachers in an action research project that focuses on supporting and extending early elementary-aged students’ learning through a literacy activity plan.
Throughout the grant cycle, Energy Express site supervisors will participate in monthly meetings and enroll in literacy education graduate coursework through WVU to become certified reading specialists.
Participants also will conduct a research project based on the Energy Express curriculum, looking at specific lesson plans. They will examine the plans to pinpoint activities that are effective and promote literacy, while also suggesting solutions to improve upon the current methods to create the best possible learning environment. Each participant will cover a specific area of the lesson plan — like writing or art — and present their findings at the annual Energy Express conference next summer.
Teachers must have their application endorsed by a school administrator or fellow teacher who will support their professional growth. Throughout the grant, this person will serve as a “thought partner” to exchange ideas and findings.
Participants in this first cohort will share their findings during the June 2025 kickoff meeting with all Energy Express site supervisors and AmeriCorps members.
To learn more about the program, visit extension.wvu.edu/energy-express.
