While Southern California residents are thankful for a break in the heatwave, we all endured for the past six months, four local teachers are thankful for the $100 Teacher Grant that was recently delivered to their schools by Division 33 of the California Retired Teachers Association. Randomly selected from nearly 120 applicants from Hemet, San Jacinto, Menifee, Nuview and Romoland School Districts, the lucky recipients are Bethany Gibson, San Jacinto High School, San Jacinto; Kelly Hileman, Valle Vista Elementary School, Hemet; Melissa Ferguson, Kathryn Newport Middle School, Menifee; and Lisa Cameron, Menifee Valley Middle School, Menifee.
Bethany Gibson teaches IB Language & Literature and AP Language & Composition at San Jacinto High School, where she is also Co-English Department Chair and IB Coordinator. When she received notice that she was a grant recipient, she said, “I’m so thrilled to have this grant opportunity! I am in the process of creating supply boxes for our interactive notebooks we use in all my classes. Boxes will be available for each table group to use so supplies are only ever an arm’s reach away! I’m also considering investing in ambient lighting for my classroom. The overhead lights are bright and clear but ambient lighting helps soothe the mind and provides a more inviting atmosphere for learning.”
Valle Vista Elementary School Special Education teacher Kelly Hileman expressed her thanks to CalRTA for providing these opportunities to receive funds for their classrooms. She said, “Thank you so much for holding such events for teachers! This check means so much to me! I plan on buying art and sensory items with the money. I teach TK-2 Special Education, and the Arts and sensory opportunities are so critical for this group of students. Thank you from room 16, Mrs. Hileman’s Class!”
Science teacher Melissa Ferguson teaches 6th and 7th grade Mild Moderate SDC/RSP (Special Day Class and Resource Specialist Program) at Kathryn Newport Middle School in Menifee. As with the other grant recipients, Melissa is focusing on the necessities. “Thank you!” Melissa responded when notified she was a winner. “This $100 grant will go to starting my ‘I’m in need of…’ cabinet. Many of my students lack supplies or even basic necessities, and I want to take those factors that often become barriers to learning out of their picture.”
Lisa Cameron teaches 7th grade Special Education at Menifee Valley Middle School Menifee. Given the limited budgets established by many districts, teachers are always in need of additional supplies to bolster instruction and increase student participation and engagement. Lisa says that she plans to use her $100 grant to purchase “balance boards for students to stand and work at tall desks.”
The California Retired Teachers Association’s mission is to protect retirement security and other retirement benefits for teachers and to support public education. Teacher grants are just one way in which retired teachers can support and advocate for current California educators. CalRTA Division 33 awards 16 $100 Teacher Grants each year and offers 11 $1000 scholarships annually to graduating seniors from local high schools. For more information about CalRTA, go to calrta.org or div33.calrta.org.
