Press
A+ Education Foundation Awards over $61,000 in Grants!
Contact: Cheryl Belk, (800) 252-8148, ext. 4390
educationfoundation@aplusfcu.org
A+ Education Foundation (Foundation), a philanthropic arm of A+ Federal Credit Union announced the recipients of the Foundation’s 2010 Educator Grant Program. This year marks the 61st anniversary of the credit union and more than $61,000 awarded to 62 grant recipients! These funds cover the cost of programs, supplies, and training to improve the classroom experience for students in Central Texas. This year’s 62 winning submissions included projects such as learning in an outdoor environment, a motor therapy and sensory room, integrating SMART board technology, daily reading club and a program with equine therapy for children with disabilities.
|
Grant Recipient |
School |
School District |
|
Anna Pedroza |
Ortega Elementary |
Austin |
|
Malia M. Muir |
St Elmo Elementary |
Austin |
|
Florence “Gail” Laubenthal |
Sanchez Elementary |
Austin |
|
Roger Alvarado |
Ortega Elementary |
Austin |
|
Alicia C. Hill |
Doss Elementary |
Austin |
|
Cindy J. St. John |
Fulmore Middle School |
Austin |
|
Suzanna Ammenheuser |
Casis Elementary |
Austin |
|
Barbara J. Wilson |
Sanchez Elementary |
Austin |
|
Michelle L. Washington |
Reagan High School |
Austin |
|
Kristy J. Hobart |
Volma Overton Elementary |
Austin |
|
Stacey L. Shapiro |
Zilker Elementary |
Austin |
|
Charles D. Moody |
Akins High School |
Austin |
|
Eileen M. Brady |
Ross Baldwin Elementary |
Austin |
|
Sarah E. Robertson |
Metz Elementary |
Austin |
|
Giani Crow |
Austin Peace Academy |
Austin Peace Academy |
|
Heather Wheeler |
Bluebonnet Elementary |
Bastrop |
|
Amy R. Semer |
Emile Elementary |
Bastrop |
|
Michelle L. Mohrmann |
Brentwood Christian School |
Brentwood Christian School |
|
Shelley L. Peachey |
Village Elementary |
Georgetown |
|
Lorraine D. Bonsall |
Williams Elementary |
Georgetown |
|
Samantha Stevens |
McCoy Elementary |
Georgetown |
|
Cheryl A. Spears |
Ford Elementary |
Georgetown |
|
Marcie L. Lindsey |
Mitchell Elementary |
Georgetown |
|
Jeanne M. Stewart |
Lehman High School |
Hays |
|
Vicki Thweatt |
Bee Cave Elementary |
Lake Travis |
|
Annette Derrick |
Bee Cave Elementary |
Lake Travis |
|
Faye Inglis |
Bee Cave Elementary |
Lake Travis |
|
Deborah S. Simmons |
Giddens Elementary |
Leander |
|
Carrie L. Culpepper Griffin |
Central Administration |
Manor |
|
Tarryl J. Hyder |
Manor High School |
Manor |
|
Nancy L. Fullerton |
Westview Middle School |
Pflugerville |
|
Dawn B. Kennedy |
Windermere Primary School |
Pflugerville |
|
Renata R. Geurtz |
John B. Connally High School |
Pflugerville |
|
Hillary S. Brock |
River Oaks Elementary |
Pflugerville |
|
Shannon Waites |
Jollyville Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Refugia “Beth” Johnstone |
Jollyville Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Pamela G. Taylor |
Brushy Creek Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Kristina M. Caffey |
Teravista Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Jessica Niles Cheyney |
Callison Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Bonnie J. Davenport |
Forest Creek Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Deborah Lenz |
Jollyville Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Elizabeth A. Hodges |
Union Hill Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Emily J. Thurman |
Purple Sage Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Linda D. Wilcox |
Live Oak Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Janifer J. Wheeler |
Laurel Mountain Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Stephanie E. Poronsky |
Callison Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Kay Lynn Diamond |
Union Hill Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Nora G. Ogle |
Live Oak Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Teresa V. Shanahan |
Caldwell Heights Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Jennifer E. Weaver |
Callison Elementary |
Round Rock |
|
Diana Garcia |
Lorenzo DeZavala Elementary |
San Marcos |
|
Jacquelynn S. Norman |
San Marcos High School |
San Marcos |
|
Chris L. Cooper |
San Marcos High School |
San Marcos |
|
Sandra A. Reyes |
Mendez Elementary |
San Marcos |
|
Melody Evers |
Jacob’s Well Elementary |
Wimberley |
|
Marilyn Burns |
Jacob’s Well Elementary |
Wimberley |
|
Lorna R. Jeter |
Jacob’s Well Elementary |
Wimberley |
|
Susan H. Brown |
Jacob’s Well Elementary |
Wimberley |
|
Robin A. Estepp |
Jacob’s Well Elementary |
Wimberley |
|
Diane Spangenberg |
Jacob’s Well Elementary |
Wimberley |
|
Kathryn M. Harrison |
Jacob’s Well Elementary |
Wimberley |
|
Erin K. Springs |
Jacob’s Well Elementary |
Wimberley |
The Foundation also continues to offer an Honorary Grant Program in which grants are awarded, in a name designated by contributors, in the amount of $1,000. This year’s recipient of The Kate Loftis Memorial Education Grant, awarded on behalf of Dennis and Cindy Loftis, is Florence “Gail” Laubenthal from Sanchez Elementary in Austin ISD. Her grant program is entitled Reading Buddy Backpacks. Kate Loftis who was born January 31, 1900 was a life-long teacher who obtained her teaching certificate from what is now Texas State University. At age 20, she began teaching in schools around Travis County until her retirement in 1945. She then began teaching veterans returning from World War II and continued teaching until her mid 90’s, travelling from her care facility to a local elementary school to teach reading.
Kerry A.S. Parker, President of the Foundation notes, “How pleased we are to award and fund these important and creative projects for educators in Central Texas. Implementation of the grants will enhance the educators’ teaching as well as positively impact their students and campuses. With tight budgets, the funds for these programs have been more difficult than ever to attain. A+ Federal Credit Union was founded by teachers in 1949 and remains committed to giving back to the educational community through our grant and other programs.”
A+ Education Foundation – A+ Education Foundation was established and developed by A+ Federal Credit Union in 2005 to provide grants to full-time PreK-12 educators in reaching their educational goals. Since its inception, the Foundation has given over $243,000 in grants. These grants help fund programs and training for educators in the communities served by A+ Federal Credit Union. For more information or to find out how to support teachers in your area, click on the A+ Education Foundation link at aplusfcu.org/grants.
A+ Federal Credit Union – With 12 Austin area locations, more than $781 million in assets, and over 88,000 members that include not only educators, students, and their families, but other members of the community as well, A+FCU has grown to become one of the largest credit unions in Austin. To find out more, visit the website at aplusfcu.org.