Agenda Item
iii. 4-H Educator Impact Initiative (Value $15,000)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Cherisse Campbell, Chief of Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education accept the 4-H Educator Impact Initiative, which allocates $15,000 to 15 DCSD teachers. Funded by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners and sponsored by the DeKalb County Extension Office, this initiative offers stipend-supported opportunities for teachers to serve as 4-H Classroom Champions during the 2026-27 school year.
Why: This initiative strengthens classroom instruction by connecting students with hands-on, standards-aligned 4-H learning experiences. It expands leadership, service, communication, and real-world skills development, supports educators with stipends, and deepens DCSD’s partnership with the DeKalb County Extension Office to enhance student engagement.
Details: This initiative provides stipends for up to 15 DCSD teachers to serve as 4-H Classroom Champions, delivering standards-aligned, in-school programming that builds student leadership, service, communication, citizenship, and hands-on learning from August 2026 through April 2027.
Financial impact: There is no cost to the District or to initiative participants to accept the donated funds from the Georgia Extension Office. The donation is valued at $15,000.
Contact: Dr. Cherisse M. Campbell, Chief of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships, 678-676-0409, cherisse_m_campbell@dekalbschoolsga.org
Tanya Arrington, Strategic Partners Mgr. Grants and Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, 404-661-9006, tanya_arrington@dekalbschoolsga.org
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
DeKalb County Extension Office
4380 Memorial Drive Suite 200
Decatur, GA 30032
Tel: 404-298-4080
Email: crperry@uga.edu
May 5, 2026
DeKalb County School District
Attn: Mrs. Tanya Arrington
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Dear Mrs. Arrington,
Congratulations! I am pleased to share that the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has approved
continued funding for the DeKalb County Extension Office to offer the 4-H Educator Impact Initiative
for the 2026–2027 school year. This stipend program is designed to support in-school 4-H
programming within the DeKalb County School District.
Through this initiative, selected teachers—designated as 4-H Classroom Champions—will receive
financial stipends to collaborate with 4-H staff in delivering high-quality, standards-aligned
programming in their classrooms. The program will run from August 2026 through March 2027.
The DeKalb County 4-H Club is led by Mrs. Mical St. Clair, DeKalb County 4-H Agent, and Mrs. Leslie
Nia Reese, 4-H Program Educator. I will serve as your primary contact and liaison for the 4-H Educator
Impact Initiative. Participation in the stipend program will be guided by the terms and conditions
outlined in the agreement form provided by the DeKalb County Extension/4-H Office.
For the 2026–2027 cycle, the DeKalb County School District will receive a total allocation of $15,000
to support up to 15 4-H Classroom Champions who are committed to implementing and facilitating 4-
H programming in their classrooms.
Please share the attached flyer, Classroom Champion Agreement, and online interest form with
school leaders and teachers who may be interested. The deadline to submit interest is Monday, May
18, 2026.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with DeKalb County School District to expand
meaningful 4-H learning experiences for students across the district. If you have any questions or
need additional information, please feel free to contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Crystal R. Perry, Ph.D.
DeKalb County Extension Coordinator
Commit to Georgia | give.uga.edu
An Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran, Disability Institution