By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Clanton Elementary preschool teacher Pamela Teel is one step closer to making reading come alive for her students in new interactive ways.

Teel received a $1,000 Partners Enhancing Education in Chilton County grant for a specialized projector and whiteboard from the Chilton Education Foundation.

“I was really, really excited when they came in to award me,” Teel said. “I was just blown away.”

It had been Teel’s first time applying for a grant.

The projector will allow students to interact with objects on the board and see the words of a story, rather than simply hearing Teel read a book.

“For a 4-year-old, you have to make it fun and interactive,” Teel said.

Teel is planning to hold a fundraiser, if existing funding cannot cover the additional $900 needed after the grant.

Until the new equipment can be purchased, Teel has made reading time interactive through hands-on activities.

“When you put it on the board it helps to advance our technology, and for the children to enjoy learning,” Teel said.

She said the students learn through play.

Teel and her assistant have 18 4-year-olds in their classroom. Teel has been a preschool teacher at Clanton Elementary for six years, prior to that she was an assistant preschool teacher for four years.