Nearly 90 educators from Hemet, San Jacinto, Menifee, Romoland, and Nuview School Districts applied for the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) Division 33’s $100 Teacher Grants, a program designed to provide financial support for classroom projects and resources. At their recent April luncheon, four teachers were randomly selected to receive the funds, each with inspiring plans to enrich their students’ education.
Kristal Smith, a 7th-grade English Language Arts and Special Education teacher at Monte Vista Middle School in San Jacinto, plans to use her grant to create ecosystem dioramas with her students as part of their science curriculum. “This will be a great way for them to demonstrate their learning using a hands-on approach,” Smith shared, adding that students will present their work to classmates and families.
At Hemet Elementary School, Stephanie Brundige, who teaches Special Education for grades 3-5, will establish a class library and a “calm down corner.” Her vision includes a bean bag chair and leveled books to support students of varying reading abilities, offering a comfortable space where they can relax or take a break when needed. “Thank you so much for your support for us teachers!” Brundige said.
Michael Armstrong, a 6th and 7th-grade Social Studies teacher at Acacia Middle School in Hemet, intends to invest in basic classroom supplies, restock art materials for projects, and introduce new resources to facilitate discussions and debates using primary sources. “How exciting! Thank you!” Armstrong said upon receiving the grant.
Meanwhile, Miranda Houwaart, who teaches an intensive autism program at Mountain View High School in San Jacinto, plans to use her grant to purchase sensory items and cooking supplies for her students. The funds will help enhance engagement and provide valuable hands-on learning experiences. “Thank you so much!” Houwaart expressed.
The CalRTA Division 33 “no strings attached” $100 grants continue to make a difference in local classrooms, allowing teachers to fund their classroom needs and support their students’ learning journeys. Since its grant program’s inception in 2019, Division 33 has awarded $10,000 worth of grants to local classroom teachers. CalRTA’s mission is to protect and advocate for retired and active educators’ pensions and other retirement benefits and to support public education in our communities. Local CalRTA Division 33 offers fifteen $1000 scholarships to local seniors each year in addition to its sixteen $100 teacher grants. For more information about CalRTA, you can access their website at calrta.org.
