Nicole LeClaire is a principal at Kenesaw High School in Howards Bluff, Neb., but she's also the only winner in the entire state of Nebraska.
That's thanks to a $2,000 grant from Voya Financial, part of the company's 27th annual Unsung Heroes awards program, KSNB reports.
According to a press release, LeClaire's winning idea, "Prepare Today, Succeed Tomorrow," focuses on repurposing an outdated classroom to create a state-of-the-art Culinary Arts & Education Lab/Classroom.
The multi-course, multi-functional space will be designed to provide students with practical cooking space, room to prepare foods, space to store equipment, and room to grow through hands-on learning.
"Teachers, staff and administrators responsible for the education of children are national treasures, and educators such as Nicole LeClaire are among the 'best of the best,'" says Angela Harrell, Voya's chief diversity and corporate responsibility officer and president.
Since the program's inception, Voya has awarded more than $6 million in support of educators through the program.
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