Adam Robison | Buy at photos.djournal.comNancy Barrett, challenge teacher at Milam Elementary School, talks with AEE board member Robin Haire, student Paris Morris and Tupelo High community liaison Christy Weir during the AEE luncheon hosted at Milam about the Leadership Academy that was funded by AEE grant money. Before the luncheon, teachers who received AEE grants last year showed how they used their grant funds. By Emma Crawford Kent Daily Journal TUPELO – Community members and Tupelo Public School District educators gathered Friday afternoon to celebrate the $78,000 in grants awarded to teachers by the Association for Excellence in Education (AEE) this year. Since its inception in 1983, the nonprofit organization has provided around $3 million in grant money to support Tupelo teachers who want to bring innovative ideas to life in their classrooms. This year, AEE was able to award $10,000 more in grants than last year. Adam Robison | Buy at photos.djournal.com Tupelo Public School District officials, teachers and AEE members fill the gym at Milam Elementary School for this year’s AEE grants luncheon Friday morning.