Designing community gardens, creating a bottle rocket science project, and constructing the earth’s layers in soap bars are just a few of the school projects receiving funding from California Credit Union through its Fall 2021 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 in Los Angeles County. The credit union grants will fund a diverse range of programs illustrating the creativity and commitment teachers bring to their classrooms and communities.
The Fall 2021 California Credit Union Teacher Grant recipients include teachers across Los Angeles county:
| California Credit Union
Grant Recipient |
School | City |
| Hedako Brown | St. Jerome School | Los Angeles |
| Sophie Durand | Altadena Arts Magnet | Pasadena |
| Laura McCutcheon | Quincy Jones Elementary School | Los Angeles |
| Wanni Mena | St. Raphaels Catholic School | Los Angeles |
| Esther Mmagu | Mendez High School | Los Angeles |
| Alison O’Dell | John Muir Middle School | Burbank |
| Helen Ramillano | Harrison Elementary School | Los Angeles |
| Benjamin Schulz | Lokrantz Special Education Center | Reseda |
| Shelley Turski | La Mesa Junior High School | Santa Clarita |
| Rosalba Villanueva | Braddock Drive Elementary School | Culver City |
“We never fail to be amazed at the creativity and passion of the teachers in our Teacher Grant Program. Every application we receive shows the care and commitment our teachers bring to engaging and inspiring their students,” said California Credit Union President/CEO Steve O’Connell. “We congratulate all of our grant recipients, and look forward to seeing these exciting learning programs come to life.”
Since the creation of the program in 2012, California Credit Union has awarded $145,000 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.
Braddock Elementary School_Mariam Nasiry-Sr. School & Community Development Officer_Eva Lopez- Principal
Harrison Elementary_Mariam Nasiry-Sr. School & Community Development Officer_ Helen Ramillano-Grant Winner_Dr. Iraiz Ynigo-Principal
John Muir MS_Anna Kuyumdzhyan-VP Branch Manager_Mariam Nasiry-Sr. School and Community Development Officer_Alison O'Dell-Grant Winner_Dr. Greg Miller-Principal
La Mesa Jr. High School_Mariam Nasiry, Sr. School & Community Development Officer_Shelley Turski, Grant Winner
Lokrantz Special Education Center_Mariam Nasiry-Sr. School & Community Development Officer_Benjamin Schulz-Grant Winner_Michelle Wagemaker-Dawdy-VP Branch Manager
Mendez HSM_Mariam Nasiry-Sr. School & Community Development Officer_Esther Dupree Mmagu-Grant Winner
Quincy Jones ES_Laura McCutcheon-Grant Winner_Mariam Nasiry-Sr. School & Community Development Officer
St. Jerome School_ Dr. Hedako Brown-Grant Winner_Mariam Nasiry-Sr. School & Community Development Officer
St. Raphaels School_Ms. Jaqueline Trigueros, Grant Winner_Mariam Nasiry_Sr School & Community Development Officer