Desert Sky Montessori educator’s ‘Off-the-Grid Cooking’ project wins Voya’s $2,000 ‘Unsung Heroes’ grant
NEW YORK (KTVZ) -- Voya Financial, Inc., a leading provider of retirement plans for educators, announced Monday that Casey Hayes, an assistant guide at Desert Sky Montessori School in Bend, has received a $2,000 grant as part of the company's 2024 Unsung Heroes awards competition.
Hayes is the only winner in the entire state of Oregon.
For 28 years, the Voya Unsung Heroes program has awarded grants to K-12 educators in the United States to recognize and support their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects, and their ability to positively influence the children they teach. Since the program’s inception, Voya has awarded more than $6 million in support of educators through this nationwide program.
"Many of us have fond memories of the teachers, staff and administrators who encouraged, supported and inspired us. These individuals are the 'best of the best' and have made a meaningful difference in countless lives across our nation," said Angela Harrell, Voya’s chief diversity and corporate responsibility officer and president, Voya Foundation.
“For nearly 30 years, Voya's Unsung Heroes has celebrated and financially supported the development of innovative thinking and creative teaching methods that helps prepare students academically and personally. These educators are truly our unsung heroes."
Hayes’ innovative teaching idea, “Off-the-Grid Cooking,” focuses on teaching energy generation and consumption to fourth- through sixth-grade students at Desert Sky Montessori School.
Students participate in hands-on learning about sustainability by building a do-it-yourself (DIY) solar oven out of aluminum foil and cardboard. They will cook bread, nachos or other agreed upon items in the solar oven and compare the results to cooking in an off-the-shelf solar oven and in an earthen "cob" oven.
In tying this to math, they will conduct comparative analysis of objective data (e.g. temperature, cook time) and subjective data (e.g. taste, level of effort). This will spark multiple discussions of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, practicality and what they will experiment with next.
The school’s intent is to add additional grade levels over time. With additional funding, the school intends to continue developing its Off-Grid Outdoor Kitchen, complete with hot water and electricity created from solar energy and a greywater recycling system.
Selected from a group of applicants from across the United States, Hayes is one of only 50 winning submissions to receive the $2,000 award to help fund and bring his program to life. In addition, he will now compete with other finalists for one of the top three prizes — an additional $5,000 for third place, $10,000 for second place or $25,000 for first place from Voya Financial.
To apply for the 2025 Voya Unsung Heroes grant or learn more about this year’s winning projects, as well as those from previous years, visit the Unsung Heroes website.
Unsung Heroes is part of Voya Foundation’s signature program, Voya Teacher Voices, that focuses on empowering teachers to become leaders by promoting the teaching career, recognizing high-achieving educators, providing training opportunities, and offering financial support to achieve their goals.
About the Voya Foundation
Voya Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life in communities where Voya Financial operates and its employees and customers live. Voya Foundation provides grants and establishes signature partnerships in the areas of financial literacy and children's education and fosters employee engagement to deepen our positive impact on the community. For more information, visit www.VoyaFoundation.com
About Voya Financial®
Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), is a leading health, wealth and investment company with approximately 9,000 employees who are focused on achieving Voya’s aspirational vision: “Clearing your path to financial confidence and a more fulfilling life.” Through products, solutions and technologies, Voya helps its 15.2 million individual, workplace and institutional clients become well planned, well invested and well protected. Benefitfocus, a Voya company and a leading benefits administration provider, extends the reach of Voya’s workplace benefits and savings offerings by engaging directly with over 12 million employees in the U.S. Certified as a “Great Place to Work” by the Great Place to Work® Institute, Voya is purpose-driven and committed to conducting business in a way that is economically, ethically, socially and environmentally responsible. Voya has earned recognition as: one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere; a member of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index; and a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” on the Disability Equality Index. For more information, visit voya.com.
