AUSTIN, Texas – A+ Education Foundation , the philanthropic arm of A+ Federal Credit Union, has announced the Foundation’s 2015 Educator Grant Program recipients. This year the Foundation awarded over $72,000 in grants to 76 educators in Central Texas. For the past 10 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $600,000 to 653 educators who inspire student learning through creative and innovative programs.
“Since its inception 10 years ago, the Foundation has provided grants to educators for programs that enhance their teaching and the students’ learning experiences,” said Kerry A. S. Parker, Foundation President. “Although it’s remarkable to see how technology has influenced recent submissions, the goal of the educators has remained the same — to encourage student learning through hands-on, interactive experiences. The Foundation is honored to support their programs.”
This year’s winning submissions included teaching students to code robots, using stability balls to improve students’ focus and productivity, providing deaf students therapeutic activities to improve communication and self-confidence, and introducing students to organic gardening methods.
Jennifer Atkinson of Austin ISD’s Baranoff Elementary received the Foundation’s Grant for her submission to help struggling readers and students identified with dyslexia achieve reading success through a “Reader’s Theater” and Jessica Cheyney of Round Rock ISD’s Callison Elementary received the Kate Loftis Memorial Education Grant for her submission entitled “Extra, Extra, READ All About It.”
The Foundation offers an Honorary Grant Program in which grants are awarded in a name designated by contributors in the amount of $1,000. The Kate Loftis Memorial Education Grant is awarded annually on behalf of Dennis and Cindy Loftis. 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-90s, travelling from her care facility to a local elementary school to teach reading.