Every year, e-Stem Charter School gives its teachers bonuses and federal stimulus money will allow that trend to continue. English teacher Jenny Choate says teachers deserve a pat on the back.

"It's icing on the cake. It's a nice bonus, but I love to teach anyways," says Choate.

The federal jobs bill gives Arkansas schools $193 per student, but at e-Stem, CEO John Bacon says a private foundation has been funding the average $7500 bonuses, which are based on performance.

"As that phased out, we would take on a portion through our budget, so that after 3 or 4 years, we would be fully funding it through our school budget," says Bacon.

Executive Director Rob McGill of Academics Plus Charter School also hopes to use the extra cash for bonuses.

"We want to be competitive with other districts that are in Pulaski County," says Rob McGill.

St. Joseph's Mercy Helath Center's Stephanie Staggs is now one of the select mammography technicians in Arkansas who is certified in Breast Ultrasound after receiving her certification in Breast Sonography from The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

"The knowledge that I gained in going through this process is invaluable," Staggs said. "I guess that's what sets me apart from most mammographers."

Breast ultrasound is a procedure that may be used to determine whether a lump is a cyst (sac containing fluid) or a solid mass which could be cancer. Ultrasound can also be sued to precisely locate the position of a known tumor in order to guide the doctor during a biopsy or aspiration procedure. Ultrasound helps confirm correct needle placement.