The Columbiana County Retired Teachers welcomed their three CCRTA Teacher Grant recipients for the 2025-2026 school year. From left are the local teachers who each received $500 for their classroom projects: Andrew McCarty, a Beaver Local third-grade teacher, “Fostering Learning Through Student Voice-The 3rd Grade Podcast;” Kelly DeVille, a third-grade literacy teacher at United Elementary, “Paws, Pages and Purpose;” and Denise Keffer, a K-2 Intervention Specialist at Lisbon’s McKinley Elementary, “Color-Coded for Success.” (Submitted photo)

LISBON – The Columbiana County Retired Teachers Association met on April 16 at the Lisbon First United Methodist Church. The Women of Faith prepared and served the meal.

Nancy Dicken welcomed the members, took attendance, led the Pledge of Allegiance and offered prayer.

Gayle Noel introduced the program which consisted of presentations by the three Teacher Grant Recipients. They offered a summary and a flyer describing their use of the $500 awarded to them for their classrooms. Those teachers were: Denise Keffer, an Intervention Specialist for grades K-2 at McKinley Elementary in Lisbon; Kelly DeVille, a third-grade literacy, science and social studies teacher at United Elementary; and Andrew McCarty, a Beaver Local third-grade teacher of all subjects.

Daniel Kemats, principal at McKinley, and Melissa Cooper, principal at United Elementary, were also in attendance.

Jerry Barnes conducted the business meeting. The minutes and the treasurer’s reports were accepted.

Members are reminded that the philanthropic project for May is to donate needed items for the Christina House.

The winner of the 50/50 was Julie Rowe.

The winner of the free lunch in May will be Pat Will.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 21 at noon at the same location. The program will be “The Little Red School House.”