Recognizing
Students and Staff

A major role of the Foundation is to sponsor projects that promote learning and recognize and reward student and staff achievement. A growing number of businesses and industries provide financial support for these programs.

  • Charles I. Dover Teacher Incentive Program provides three $750 grants for creative and unique projects submitted by teachers and faculty.
  • Anne Dover Bailey Teaching Excellence Award provides a $750 grant to an outstanding teacher.
  • Wyolene W. Hogan Outstanding Grandparent Volunteer Award of $100 presented to an outstanding Foster Grandparent volunteering in a preschool or kindergarten class.
  • Homework Hotline teachers offer assistance weekday evenings to students in all grade levels in all subject areas. The Hotline received more than 2,000 calls last year from Cleveland County, Kings Mountain and Shelby students. All three local boards of education support the Hotline, and Belk of Cleveland Mall has served as the corporate sponsor.
  • Math Day provides team and individual mathematics competition for fourth- and fifth-graders from all elementary schools at Gardner-Webb University each year.

Duke Energy Co., KEMET Electronics, First Carolina Federal Savings Bank, PPG Industries, Carolina Trophies, Mayflower Vehicle Systems and Polygram have served as corporate sponsors. Judges are representatives of businesses and industries.

  • Geography Bowl provides an annual competition for fourth- and fifth-graders from all elementary schools. Glenn Lumber Co. underwrites the cost of this event.
  • Time Warner Star Teacher Awards Banquet is sponsored annually by Time Warner Cable through the Foundation to recognize outstanding teachers as chosen by the top academic students of Burns, Crest, Kings Mountain and Shelby high schools.
  • Time Warner Hero Awards Banquet is underwritten by Time Warner Cable to recognize a student from each school each year who has overcome adversity to achieve success.
  • Hoyt Q. Bailey Agape Teacher Award of $500 is presented to a teacher for his or her efforts in turning around the life of a student.
  • The David Hinson Award is named in honor of the school system’s former transportation director and presented annually to exemplary bus drivers. The Foundation co-sponsors this monetary award with the Cleveland County Board of Education.