A couple of times a year, the Helena Education Foundation hands out recognition to creative teachers in the Helena School District, along with some money to help their ideas come to fruition.

Thursday, HEF surprised a number of teachers with Great Ideas Grant Awards - the list is on Page 8A of today's paper - and so it's a good time to give the idea a big thumbs up.

HEF certainly deserves the kudos, along with the organizations and individuals who sponsor the awards and, of course, the teachers and the students who inspire them.