Creating student wellness corners, starting a cow eyeball dissection lab, expanding school music programs, and incorporating multi-media into school newspapers are just a few of the school projects receiving funding from California Credit Union through its Fall 2023 Teacher Grant program.
As part of its commitment to help educators create innovative learning opportunities for their students, the credit union has provided 10 grants of $500 each to underwrite class projects across Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. The credit union grants will fund a diverse range of programs illustrating the creativity and commitment teachers bring to their classrooms and communities.
“California Credit Union is honored to continue our commitment to our local schools and students through our Teacher Grant Program,” said California Credit Union President & CEO Steve O’Connell. “The energy and passion of these educators is remarkable as they outlined creative ways to support hands-on projects that inspire their students. We wish these teachers continued success in their classrooms.”
The Fall 2023 California Credit Union Teacher Grant recipients include:
| California Credit Union
Grant Recipient |
School | City |
| Yesenia Carvajal | Maywood Center for Enriched Studies | Maywood |
| Cindy Ekk | Columbus High School | Downey |
| Hugo Espanta | Eagle Rock High School | Los Angeles |
| Judith Flores | Animo Leadership Charter High School | Inglewood |
| Eugene Kim | Castaic High School | Castaic |
| John Le | Eagle Canyon Elementary | Chino Hills |
| Leticia Monarrez | Harrison Street Elementary | Los Angeles |
| Michelle Napoli | Downey High School | Downey |
| Jonathan Serrano | Virgil Middle School | Los Angeles |
| Shawn Vasquez | Our Community School | Chatsworth |
Since the creation of the program in 2012, California Credit Union has awarded $185,000 in teacher grants to support innovative learning projects. Up to 20 grants are awarded bi-annually in the spring and fall. Any full-time classroom teacher in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, and Riverside County can apply for a grant for a program that has clearly defined learning objectives tied to students’ academic needs, displays creativity in education, and targets a significant number of students. More information is available at ccu.com.
Inglewood’s Animo Leadership Charter High School Teacher Grant Recipient Judith Flores (center) receives a grant from (left) California Credit Union Inglewood Assistant Branch Manager Mary Nathan and (right) Gloria Rogers, California Credit Union Vice President, School & Community Development. The grant will be used to fund a Spanish Class Library at the school.
