Members First Credit Union (M1) proudly announces the recipients of its inaugural Joy in Teaching Grants, an initiative dedicated to supporting educators and enriching learning environments across Michigan. M1 awarded 40 $500 teacher grants totaling $20,000 to help bring classroom visions to life and enhance students' educational experiences.

The grants will support a diverse range of projects that enrich student learning, including the purchase of tablets for digital learning, STEM supplies, new books to refresh school libraries, classroom supplies for a 1st-year teacher, 3D printers, welding equipment, art supplies, band instruments, and physical education supplies. Additional grants funded unique student experiences such as a field trip to a landfill to study waste management, food service equipment for culinary arts programs, wired headphones for enhanced learning, chemistry supplies for hands-on experiments, and a partnership with the DNR for the "Salmon in the Classroom" program, allowing students to raise and release salmon in approved waterways, among many more projects.

2024 Joy in Teaching Grant Recipients:

· Adams Elementary School, Midland - Jenna DuLude

· Bay City Virtual School - Amber Volesky

· Bay City Western High School - Victoria Stoddard

· Bay City Western Middle School - Daniel Horwath

· Beaverton Junior Senior High School - Erica Sprague

· Bullock Creek High School - Michael Boman

· Clare High School - Jennifer Quick, Amy Nicole Sklenar

· Clare Public Schools - Kevin Murray

· Clare United Methodist Church Preschool and Child Care Center - Kyle Lewandowski

· Cross Creek Charter Academy - Lisa Van Zee

· Dow High School - Kimberly Dana

· Evart Elementary School - Melissa Morgan

· Evart High School - Rachel Isanhart

· Farwell Elementary School - Angela Pakledinaz, Sarah Loomis

· Floyd Elementary School - Elizabeth Stark

· Frances Reh Academy - Stacey Elliott

· Freeland Community Schools – Staci Simon

· Gladwin Elementary School - Bobbie Jo Tate, Kellie Simpkins

· Gladwin High School- Michael Verellen

· Gladwin Intermediate School - Holly Marsrow, Carley Cote

· Greater Midland Early Care & Education - Rachel Helmreich

· Herig Elementary School - Patricia Morris

· Hampton Elementary School - Alyssa Lorentz

· Kolb Elementary School - Nicole Roberts

· Meridian Early College High School - Gina Lewandowski

· Midland High School - Helena McDonald

· Mt. Pleasant High School - Matthew Taton

· North Elementary School - Tanya Kopp

· North Saginaw Charter Academy - Casey Helmreich

· Saginaw Career Complex - Chad Starr

· Shepherd Middle School - Jason Byrne

· TL Handy Middle School - Paula Rowley

· Trinity Lutheran Preschool - Andrea Berchert

· Weiss Elementary School - Madison Kestner

· West Godwin Elementary School - Michelle Dubuis

· Windover Alternative High School - Julie Wells

Members First Credit Union was founded by educators in 1936 and continues its mission to support education through programs like the Joy in Teaching Grants. For more information about this and other initiatives, visit mfcu.net/teachergrants.