A Clanton Elementary School teacher was among 14 first-year teachers in Alabama who recently received $1,000 grants for classroom materials and supplies from the Alabama Power Foundation.

Shannon Lee, a first grade teacher at CES, found out she was a grant recipient Thursday when Alabama Power Business Office Manager Van Forrester visited her classroom and presented a $1,000 check to her.

“I’m very honored that I was nominated and very thankful to Alabama Power to receive this award,” Lee said. “I will definitely be able to put it to good use in the classroom. I hope to integrate technology in the classroom with some of that money.”

Grant candidates were submitted by the state’s education programs, according to an Alabama Power press release.

Winners were selected by a committee that included education administrators.

Each winner graduated from a state-approved teacher program at an Alabama public four-year college or university.

Lee graduated from the University of Montevallo in December 2012.

“These grants provide crucial support for first-year teachers all over our state, and we are especially grateful to the Alabama Power Foundation for providing this needful investment in our educators,” said Milla Boschung, National Teacher Grant committee chairwoman, in the release.

The Alabama Power Foundation awards more than 1,000 grants annually with non-ratepayer money and has assets of more than $140 million, making it one of the largest corporate foundations in the state.

The foundation has provided new teacher grants since 1995 and has given more than $135 million through more than 20,000 grants and scholarships.

“Our educators have a critical role in preparing leaders of tomorrow, and we are honored to assist them by providing these grants,” Foundation President John Hudson said.

To learn more about the foundation and how to apply for a grant, visit AlPowerCharitableGiving.org.