OWENSVILLE — Elizabeth (Liz) Clancy, an Owensville Middle School (OMS) gifted teacher, was awarded a $500 Maggie Elder’s PEERS Grant through the Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA) and Foundation (MRTF) on Aug. 21 to assist in the purchase of a 3D printer.

Clancy’s grant was titled 3D Printers: Printing for the Future.

The award will help purchase the printer and supplies to teach 50 to 60 third through eighth-graders in the Gifted Education Program. Students are encouraged to unleash their creativity and curiosity through the use of 3D printers and 3D pens, opening new dimensions of learning to explore, experiment, and discover limitless possibilities.

MRTA, MRTF and their representatives present recognized Superintendent Dr. Jeri K. Hardy and OMS Principal Devin Johnson for arranging the presentation and recognizing this deserving teacher.

Also attending were Georgia White, MRTA and Region 7 vice president; Linda Orscheln, MRTF board member; and Martin White, Region 7 legislative committee chair. Members of the Maries-Gasconade Unit of MRTA present were Jean Baker, unit president, Carla McKinney, unit vice president, and Bob Niebrugge, unit secretary/treasurer.

MRTA is an organization of all retired public school personnel whose purpose is to promote the economic welfare of all retired school employees while continuing to support those currently working in Missouri schools. MRTA’s Foundation is a tax-exempt organization for raising funds to carry out charitable, educational, scientific, and literary purposes of the MRTA.
This year MRTF is giving six $500 classroom grants in Region 7 and one Maggie Elder’s PEERs grant for a total of $3,500 per region. Retired teachers and school employees were awarded 98 grants — $500 each — across 14 regions this year. That’s a total of $45,000 back to active teachers.

MRTA raises funds throughout the year to present these grants to deserving public school personnel.