Among December’s recipients is third‑grade teacher Barbie Sanchez of Callie Kirkpatrick Elementary School in Menifee. Upon hearing the news, Sanchez expressed heartfelt appreciation, saying she was honored to receive the grant. She plans to use the funds to purchase Expo dry erase markers and art supplies, materials she believes will help “brighten our creative minds” and enhance daily classroom activities.

Second‑grade teacher Melanie Carver, who teaches at Chester W. Morrison Elementary School in Menifee, was equally delighted by the unexpected award. Calling it a “wonderful surprise,” Carver shared that she intends to use the grant to “expand my classroom library with new books,” resources she hopes will inspire her young readers and strengthen their love of learning.

At the San Jacinto Technology Institute, Christa Slater, who works with kindergarten and first‑grade students in the school’s K/1 lab, plans to use her grant to support hands‑on learning and motor‑skill development. Slater has already purchased “Drop  Sticks” reflex challenge games to build hand‑eye coordination, rocket launchers for STEM lessons, and bean bag toss games” for both indoor and outdoor use. She also selected Scholastic books to bolster her classroom library.

Rounding out last month’s honorees is Scott Stolte, who teaches sixth‑grade math, sixth‑ and seventh‑grade science, and CTE at Hemet Dual Language Academy. Stolte outlined three practical and engaging uses for the funds: “I have needed a new rolling cart for a year now, I will put some of the money towards getting an air purifier for my room, and … we are going to do a Jello model, using the Jello in a cup as the cell and various candies to represent the different parts of a cell.”

Through these grants, CalRTA Division 33 continues its commitment to supporting public school educators and strengthening classroom experiences across the region. Division 33 also offers sixteen $1000 scholarships to qualifying seniors each year.  For more information about CalRTA, check out their website at calrta.org, or Division 33’s website at div33.calrta.org.

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• Esperanza Laura, Hemet Elementary School (TK–5): “Thank you so much for the $100 check. I was in a classroom supporting our 4th graders with their writing. I will use the grant prize money to encourage our teachers and students to use the Building Thinking Classrooms approach to learning by purchasing any materials needed. CalRTA, your support is greatly appreciated!”

• Herman Hilkey, San Jacinto Leadership Academy – Magnet, San Jacinto (10th grade): Mr. Hilkey, shown here with Principal Michael Luna, plans to use the $100 grant for “robot parts for our Engineering Club. We have robots and need replacement brains that are newer”—essential for keeping the club’s robots functional and compatible with current technology.

• Nataly Orozco, Romoland Elementary School (Special Education): “Thank you so much, CalRTA, for the award! I plan on using the grant money to purchase items to support my students’ sensory needs, such as chewy necklaces, a weighted lap pad, fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones, and therapy putty.”

• Gary Thrapp, Hans Christensen Middle School, Menifee (6th–8th grade History): “Thank you very much for the $100 grant check. I am excited to use it for classroom incentives and projects and to help create a more positive environment for my students. I truly appreciate CalRTA’s support.”
In addition to the four Division 33 recipients, two local educators received $100 Teacher Grants from the CalRTA State organization. Division 33 matched each state grant with an additional $100, bringing the total to $200 for each teacher to use in their classroom.

• Jacinda Coats, Education Specialist at Park Hill Elementary School, San Jacinto: Jacinda plans to use the $200 to purchase sensory equipment for her classroom. She is pictured with CalRTA Division 33 Co-Presidents Ron and Sue Breyer.

• Vanessa Fowler, 5th Grade Teacher at Táawila Elementary School, Menifee: Upon receiving her $200 grant, Ms. Fowler said, “I deeply appreciate the work CalRTA does to support educators, and I’m excited to put this grant to good use for our Táawila students.” She is pictured with Principal Dr. Rose Pike (left) and CalRTA Division 33 Co-President Sue Breyer.

For more information about the California Retired Teachers Association state organization, visit calrta.org. To learn more about local CalRTA Division 33, go to div33.calrta.org or email them at calrtadivision33@gmail.com.

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Aimee Howman teaches English 10 and ERWC (Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum) at Nuview Bridge Early College High School in Nuview. She says she is “super excited to use this $100 grant to start building an awesome classroom library for my students.  I have been wanting to purchase new graphic novels and other young adult books for both my struggling students and avid readers.”

KrystalSimioli, who teaches Transitional Kindergarten at Menifee’s Callie Kirkpatrick Elementary School, has already planned how she will use the $100 grant.  “Thank you so much for the $100 special funding I received to help me add important resources to my classroom,” Simioli said. “I’m so excited to supply my students with much needed manipulatives for ELA and Math. My students learn a variety of ways, and the grant funds will help purchase tools for hands-on/play-based learning, such as Melissa and Doug See and Spell Wooden Educational Toys, Wooden Alphabet and Number Stamps, and blocks for STEM integration. Thank you again for this opportunity!”

Tawnee Wallace, 6^th grade math and science teacher at Monte Vista Middle School in San Jacinto, says she was “thrilled that I have been selected as one of the $100 winners! As a dedicated educator, I am deeply grateful for this opportunity. The funds will directly benefit my students by providing essential learning supplies—specifically, a full year’s supply of pencils and a new calculator for each student. These resources will support my students’ academic journey and help remove barriers to their learning. Thank you!”

Sara McLamb, a TK teacher at Hemet Elementary School, was grateful for “this wonderful opportunity! My TK students and I are very excited to have earned this grant for our classroom. We are going to be spending the $100 grant on outdoor toys for our recess and exploration time. Our learning through play will be enhanced with this grant and my students will have more opportunities to explore and have fun outdoors. We would like to purchase some fun outdoor items to use to develop our gross motor skills.”

Allison Yanez, a 2nd-grade teacher at Winchester Elementary School in Winchester, received her CalRTA State $100 Teacher Grant from Division 33 Co-President Sue Breyer during her school’s November staff meeting.  Breyer then surprised Ms. Yanez with a matching $100 bill from Division 33, for a total of $200to use in her classroom.  Allison was one of 95 recipients randomly selected from 10,000 applicants throughout the state.  Upon receiving her $200, Allison said, “Thank you so much for this grant! I’ll be using it to bring some wonderful new read-aloud books into our classroom. I’ll also be purchasing supplies to support smoother transitions between activities. Thank you, CalRTA, for helping make these additions possible!” 

The Teacher Grant program is one way in which the California Retired Teachers Association supports public education.  Each year, CalRTA Division 33 offers 13 $1000 scholarships to graduating seniors and presents 16 $100 teacher grants through its random drawings.  In addition to supporting California’s public education system, CalRTA is also an advocate for retirement security for public educators and for the repeal of the unfair Social Security penalties, WEP and GPO.  For more information about CalRTA, visit calrta.org or div33.calrta.org.

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Scholarships

Sue Breyer | CalRTA Div. 33 Vice President

CalRTA Division 33 (Hemet/San Jacinto) recently honored its 2022 Scholarship recipients at a celebratory luncheon for the local graduating seniors and their families. The $1000 scholarship is granted to seniors at both the comprehensive and alternative high schools in the Hemet, San Jacinto and Nuview School Districts who have plans to become a public school teacher. To qualify for the scholarship, students must have a 3.0+ GPA in their junior and senior years, and good citizenship at school and in the community. Other considerations include extracurricular/co-curricular school activities, community service and activities, and work/volunteer experiences.

This year’s $1000 Scholarship recipients are as follows: Miryam Barba, Hemet High School; Jeyra Bernal, West Valley High School, Kasedie Campos, Mountain View High School; Maggy Granados and Joseph Salazar, San Jacinto High School; Brody Miller, Tahquitz High School; Kylie Rosson, Hamilton High School; and Leandrew Torres, Nuview Bridge Early College High School.

Hemet High senior and first-generation college student Miryam Barba has always loved all aspect of English – novels, dramas, poetry, and writing – and plans to attend Cal State Channel Islands and major in secondary English. Barba says that “English just felt natural to me and has always held a place in my heart.”

West Valley grad Jeyra Bernal plans to attend UC San Diego with the goal of becoming an elementary dual-language school teacher. “I believe that one’s childhood is an important part of a student’s life, and being able to make even the slightest difference can have a huge impact on their future,” Bernal explains.

Kasedie Campos of Mountain View High School says that she is “very dedicated to becoming a college student and eventually becoming a high school English teacher. I always admired teachers and wanted to become one myself.” She plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College in the fall.

This year, two students from San Jacinto High School were honored with the scholarship. Maggy Granados says, “I plan to continue my education at Cal Baptist University and follow my dreams of becoming a 3rd grade teacher. I want to live out my dream of teaching young children that anything is possible and being one of their biggest inspirations will forever be on my ‘bucket list.’” Fellow graduate Joseph Salazar plans to attend the University of Redlands and major in US History. Salazar explains, “I want to make an impact on students the way my teachers made an impact on me.”

Tahquitz High School senior Brody Miller has not yet determined which college he will attend in the fall, but he knows he wants to teach 4th grade and says “the chance to make a change in the lives of future generations is my ultimate dream.”

Kylie Rosson of Hamilton High School plans to attend Cal State San Marcos in the fall and major in art. Her goal is to then earn her teaching credential and “return to Hemet Unified School District as a high school art teacher.”

Nuview Bridge Early College High School graduate Leandrew Torres is anxious to pursue a career as an educator after graduating from either the University of Redlands or UC Riverside. “I want to become a type of teacher where students feel free to talk to me, where there is constant participation, and where students don’t feel limited to express themselves,” Torres explains.

Each year CalRTA Division 33 awards up to ten $1000 scholarships to local outstanding students who plan to pursue a career in public education. Division 33 also awards up to 20 $100 “no strings attached” teacher grants to local teachers who apply. For more information about CalRTA, visit calrta.org or div33.calrta.org.

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