2013 Grant Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2013
Contact: Brandy Ward, (800) 252-8148, ext. 4210
[email protected]
Central Texas Educators Awarded Over $68,000 in Grant Funds!
Austin, TX – A+ Education Foundation (Foundation), a philanthropic arm of A+ Federal Credit
Union announced the Foundation’s 2013 Educator Grant Program grant recipients. This year
over $68,000 was awarded to 74 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 74 winning submissions included a community garden, reading center, group play therapy,
weather stations, reading group, college readiness database, Japanese raku firing, and music
composition (“iPad Band”).
Austin ISD
Recipient
Richard W. Sanford
Samuel M. Parrott
Suzanna
Ammenheuser
James M. Butler
Mary Jane Ledesma
School
Anderson HS
Brooke ES
Casis ES
Diana L. McMillan
Virginia V. Hill
Amanda E. Smith
Alexandra A. Tarpley
Gullett ES
Jane Langford ES
John H. Reagan
College HS
Liberal Arts & Science
Academy HS
Mathews ES
Oak Hill ES
Oak Hill ES
Oak Hill ES
Pamela S. Calabrese
Oak Hill ES
Juan C. Barcera
Staci NowakowskiGrimm
Kathi S. Peterka
Kristen K. Palmer
Aaron M. Gerber
Oak Hill ES
Stewart B. Hollub
Ronny D. Risinger
Oak Hill ES
Oak Hill ES
Oak Hill ES
Oak Hill ES
Bastrop ISD
Tiffany E. Williams
Bluebonnet ES
Tiffany L. Wilson
Emile ES
De Valle ISD
Guadalupe Valdez
Creedmoor ES
Florence ISD
Susan L. Powell
Florence ES
Georgetown ISD
Janae L. Pierce
McCoy ES
Sheila A. O’Leary
Village ES
Hays CISD
Melissa A. Garraway
Barton MS
Selina V. Mireles
Carpenter Hill ES
Jennifer C. O’Neal
Lehman HS
Hutto ISD
Angela R. Hartman
Hutto HS
Lauren D. Williams
Hutto HS
Laurie A. Ebbighausen
Ray ES
Leander ISD
Angelene R. Nordin
Giddens ES
Jennifer B. Mackie
Jim Plain ES
Diana M. D’Emeraude
River Place ES
Linda J. Zarsky
Winkley ES
Manor ISD
Nicole Brown
Oak Meadows ES
Pflugerville ISD
Lingxiu Valerie Zhong
Connally HS
Lisa P. Samuels
Kelly Lane MS
Cynthia L. Mixon
Kelly Lane MS
Judy F. Lau
Spring Hill ES
Round Rock ISD
Rachel A. Walker
Tiffany L. Vogelman
April D. Sweet
Jennifer E. Weaver*
Jessica R. Cheyney
Leslee Arredondo
Stephanie M. Martin
Julie W. Costas
Kimberly L. Boen
Shannon K. Sieber
Sara M. Coons
Lisa B. Thompson
Christine N. Carter
Alice K. Barnard
Celina Lewis
Debbie Galloway
Patti A. Francese
Diane S. Hance
Chrissy M. Epperson
Cactus Ranch ES
Caldwell Heights ES
Caldwell Heights ES
Callison ES
Callison ES
Callison ES
Canyon Vista MS
Cedar Valley MS
Chisholm Trail MS
Deerpark MS
Double File Trail ES
Double File Trail ES
Jollyville ES
Kathy Caraway ES
Linda Herrington ES
Linda Herrington ES
McNeil HS
Noel Grisham ES
Voigt ES
* “The Kate Loftis Memorial Education Grant” recipient
San Marcos CISD
Priscilla K. Delgado
Bowie ES
Paul Gold
DeZavala ES
Brandi Crow
DeZavala ES
Vicki Alford
DeZavala ES
Connie D. Martin
Goodnight MS
Arlene S. Hooper
Goodnight MS
Jacquelynn S. Norman
San Marcos HS
Chris L. Cooper
San Marcos HS
Private/Charter Schools
Austin Jewish
Sarah G. Jones
Academy
Austin Jewish
Karen F. Hidalgo
Academy
Katherine Anne
Sabina D. Reynolds
Porter School
Heather Wheeler
REAL Learning
Huffman
Academy
REAL Learning
Georgia L. Kennedy
Academy
REAL Learning
Kierstin N. Howard
Academy
Santa Cruz Catholic
Dayna K. White
School
Schoolhouse
Karen Dale Wolman
Academy
Texas Preparatory
Alison M. Howland
School
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 Jennifer Weaver from
Callison Elementary School in Round Rock ISD. Her grant program is entitled Reading Takes You
Places. 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, “In this ninth year of the grant program, we
continue to be impressed by the innovative and creative grants submitted. We are thrilled to give
back to educators by awarding grants to fund the programs that enhance their teaching and their
students’ learning experience. What a positive impact these educators are making on their
classroom, campus and in their community. A+ Federal Credit Union was founded by teachers in
1949 and remains dedicated to our educational roots and the communities we serve.”
A+ Education Foundation – A+ Education Foundation was established and developed by A+ Federal Credit Union
in 2005 to provide grants to full-time Pre K - Grade 12 educators in reaching their educational goals. Since its
inception, the Foundation has given $456,000 in grants. These grants help fund programs and training for educators
in the communities served by A+ Federal Credit Union. To find out more information, including how to support
teachers in your area, visit aplusfcu.org/grants.
A+ Federal Credit Union - With 17 Austin area locations, more than $1 billion in assets, and over 100,000 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.