Classroom dollars help funding gap for educators
(September 29, 2014) -- As a not-for-profit organization founded by educators, STCU is honoring its roots by awarding four $500 classroom grants this fall to local certified teachers whose names were selected at random from nearly 2,000 entries. The money can be spent on anything the teacher believes will enhance students’ classroom experience, whether a basic need or something special.
The winners were notified during surprise announcements at their schools last week. They are:
- Bryan Smidt, English teacher at Coeur d’Alene High School.
- Jill Leary, third grade teacher, Garfield Elementary School in Spokane.
- Nanette Brothers, mathematics teacher at Sandpoint High School.
- Kelli Aiken, counselor at Lakes Middle School in Coeur d’Alene.
Continuing a long tradition, STCU provided meals, refreshments and door prizes at 21 back-to-school events for educators in Eastern Washington and North Idaho this year. Nearly 2,000 certified teachers who attended those events entered our drawings for classroom grants. It is the fourth consecutive year that STCU has offered the grant drawings.
STCU
Founded by educators in 1934, STCU is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative with 130,000 members and more than $1.9 billion in total assets. STCU has 17 branch locations, with plans to open a 18th in early 2015: the Crossroads Branch in Coeur d’Alene.