Rochester woman named ‘Teacher Heroes of COVID-19’

Rochester, New York — One of 25 teachers across the US that have been named “Teacher Heroes of COVID-19” from the Ford Motor Company is Pam Grant from Rochester.

Ford Freedom Unsung “Teacher Heroes of COVID-19” Awards — the official name of the awards — recognizes “educators who in the face of tremendous difficulty, heroically resolved to reach and teach students.”

The winners were announced earlier this month at a summit.

Grant won a $1,000 award, as well as classroom materials from Ford. She is a sixth-grade Special Education teacher at Andrew J. Townson Elementary School in Rochester.

According to Ford, Grant assists the general education teacher in her class and said that she would pack books and other school supplies for students and deliver them to the homes of the students every Friday. Each visit also included a personal check-in.

“African American communities nationwide have been disproportionately hit by COVID-19, and yet, amid the devastation wrought by the pandemic there are stories of teachers, like Pam Grant, who’ve exhibited extraordinary acts of humanity,” said Pamela Alexander, director of Community Development, Ford Motor Company Fund said in a press release. “We are honored to salute these heroic educators who’ve worked selflessly during this challenging time.”