GMC Prep educators awarded Tri-County EMC Bright Ideas Grants
Published 1:36 pm Thursday, December 11, 2025
Georgia Military College Prep School recently celebrated two exceptional educators who were selected as recipients of the 2025 Tri-County EMC Bright Ideas Grants.
The competitive grants support innovative and engaging classroom projects that elevate learning experiences for students. This year’s awardees, Tori Black and Shelby French, embody GMC Prep School’s commitment to student success.
Both educators are in their first year at GMC Prep School, making their achievement an especially remarkable reflection of their immediate impact on our students.
The Bright Ideas Grants encourage teachers to develop hands-on, dynamic learning opportunities, and both educators’ projects highlight their dedication to enriching the academic and physical education experience at GMC Prep School.
Tori Black: ‘Rocket Day’ ignites hands-on learning
With her awarded grant, eighth grade physical science teacher Tori Black will launch an immersive “Rocket Day” experience designed to bring science concepts to life. The weeklong project begins with foundational lessons where students explore Newton’s Laws, forces and energy transformations through demonstrations and mini labs. Later in the week, students will collaborate in teams to design and build balloon rockets, paper rockets, and water-bottle rockets using guided prompts and provided materials. The project finishes in a full outdoor launch day where students rotate through stations to test their rockets, gather flight data, compare results, and make evidence-based redesigns. The hands-on, collaborative structure of Rocket Day is designed to inspire curiosity, strengthen problem-solving skills and create an unforgettable STEM learning experience.
Shelby French: Bringing New Energy to Physical Education
Elementary school physical education teacher and Junior Bulldog Coordinator Shelby French will use her Bright Ideas Grant to introduce exciting new sports opportunities for students. The grant will fund portable badminton nets, flexible for both indoor and outdoor use, allowing students to learn serving, striking, footwork, and teamwork through skill-building drills and modified games.
Badminton offers valuable benefits, including improved hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness and lifelong fitness habits.
Additionally, French will create mini bowling lanes inside the gym, where students will practice rolling techniques, learn scoring fundamentals, and work together in small groups. Bowling supports the development of control, focus, and confidence, giving every student the opportunity to experience success.
For more information visit gmcprep.com.
