Students at two Kalispell schools and a Polson elementary school should soon have new equipment to use in their classrooms after their teachers received grants from CenturyLink.

David Hembroff at Glacier High School was awarded $7,315 to buy solar telescopes and advanced calculators for the astronomy program.

Elrod Elementary School teacher Barb Andersen received $4,050 to buy Kindle e-readers to improve reading comprehension and vocabulary skills for her students.

Brittany Simonich at Linderman Elementary School in Polson was awarded $3,200 to purchase microscopes, an iPad and multimedia equipment for a biology project.

This year marks the fifth year that CenturyLink has awarded grants to teachers who use technology in their classrooms in new and innovative ways, CenturyLink Montana Market Development Manager John Bemis said.

The company awards a total of $50,000 to teachers across the state. This year, 27 teachers applied and 10 received cash awards.

“It’s a pleasure to continue the program this year and to bring much-needed funds to deserving teachers, students and schools,” Bemis said. “The quality of our winners’ proposed projects exemplify how involved teachers across the state are in technology and how committed they are to ensuring Montana’s young people are prepared for the future.”

Teachers applied for the Teachers and Technology program grants earlier this year. Grant recipients don’t receive advance notice of their awards, Bemis said. Surprise award ceremonies are conducted in their classrooms so students can participate.

“I love this program because it is so needed in our schools,” Bemis said. “Any time CenturyLink can help out our communities, we are glad to be able to.”

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.