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.

The post From Books to STEM Rockets: CalRTA Supports Teachers with $100 Grants appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Lorena Roberts, a 4^th grade teacher at Nuview Elementary School, said, “I am so grateful to have received a CalRTA Division 33 Teacher Grant. I am excited to buy more books for my classroom library. I also plan on buying more prizes for my monthly Scholar Dollar store. My students are going to love all of the new prizes. “

Another Nuview Elementary School 4^th grade teacher, Natalie Ogle, said her class was so excited when she told them about winning the grant. “We are out of Expo markers, highlighters, mechanical pencils and a group set of books. We have had parents donate these items a few times already this year, but now we are in need of replacement supplies. I truly appreciate CalRTA’s donation and I’m so glad I entered the contest,” Ogle said.

“Thank you so much for this $100 grant,” said Guillermina Casarez, who teaches 3^rd grade at Hemet Elementary School.  “I will be using the money to buy seat pockets for my classroom,” Casarez said.  She explained that seat pockets help students by providing easily accessible storage space on the back or sides of their chairs to keep their school supplies organized and desks tidy.

Cassy Taylor-Campos, a 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade ES teacher at Hamilton High School, said she plans “to purchase resources for Yoga exercise and sitting balls for my classroom.” Sitting on stability balls (exercise balls) in a classroom can benefit students by allowing them to move and fidget while still focusing on learning.

Ron and Sue Breyer, CalRTA Division 33 Co-Presidents, presented a $100 State-level CalRTA teacher grant to Master Gunnery Sergeant David Mendez from Tahquitz High School at their recent staff meeting.  As a surprise, Division 33 matched that $100 grant with a crisp $100 bill for a total of $200 to use in his classroom!  Mendez heads up the Tahquitz High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, one of the biggest and most influential leadership programs in the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley.

One of the missions of the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) is to support public education, and its popular teacher grant program is just one way in which local retired teachers can support and show their appreciation for local educators. In addition to teacher grants, CalRTA Division 33 also offers up to 15 $1000 scholarships to graduating seniors in Hemet, San Jacinto and Nuview School Districts who plan to become public school teachers.  For more information about CalRTA, go to calrta.org or div33.calrta.org.  

The post Local Teachers to Use Grant Funds for Classroom Supplies, Incentives appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

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.

The post Local Educators Share Their Holiday Wish Lists appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Two teachers – Jessica Sotelo from West Valley High School in Hemet, and Heather Goka from Lisa Mails Elementary School in Murrieta – each received a $100 check from the California Retired Teachers Association State Teacher Grant program.  Then each teacher was pleasantly surprised when CalRTA Division 33 matched their $100 check with a crisp $100 bill, for a total of $200.   

Jessica Sotelo, who teaches AVID 11, and IB Psychology at West Valley, said, “I am so grateful to have received the STATE teacher grant. I wasn’t expecting our local division to match the state grant with another $100, so that was an amazing surprise! I plan to use the funds to restock my student supply/resource station with such items as lint rollers, Kleenex, band-aids, hygiene products, mints, and granola bars to provide to students if they need a snack during the school day.”

Heather Goka, a third grade teacher at Lisa Mails Elementary School said, “I plan to use the $200 for basic supplies like paper and markers as well as some new classroom decorations to make the room feel warmer and create a more positive learning environment for my students.  Thank you!”

Another four $100 teacher grant winners were randomly selected at the April 9^th luncheon meeting of CalRTA Division 33.  Nicole Hernandez, third grade teacher at Megan Cope Elementary School in San Jacinto, plans to put the funds toward improving her students’ math skills.  “Thank you for the $100 grant!” Hernandez said.  “I plan on using the money on math manipulatives for my classroom, specifically fraction cubes. Many of my students can struggle with the concept of equal piece and how a larger denominator means a smaller piece. These manipulatives will benefit them greatly. “ 

Teri Perez, who teaches Moderate and Severe Special Education classes at DeAnza Elementary School in San Jacinto, says, “Thank you so much for this $100 grant. I plan to use the money to buy some laminating materials, some incentives for my classroom, and Play Doh!  Laminating things allows reuse, incentives help my students remain motivated to work hard on their goals and Play Doh is one of their favorite items to decompress with. Thank you again from me and the De Anza Tigers!”

Tahquitz High School teacher Anne Rizzacasa, who teaches a wide variety of science classes at her school site in Hemet, says, “Thank you so much for the support. I will be using the funds to purchase an electric vehicle kit from Forward Education. The kit guides students to build computer science skills while addressing energy solutions to address climate change.”

Holly Baird, a Nuview Elementary School Kindergarten teacher, received the exciting news of her $100 grant on her birthday.  “I was super excited to receive this classroom money on my birthday!” Baird says.  “I plan to buy more ELA and math games and activities because I only have a few.  I also want to buy batteries for my voice amplifier. The kids are going to love this! Thank you!”

One of CalRTA’s missions is to support public education and awarding 16 $100 teacher grants to local teachers each year is just a part of that mission.  Division 33 also offers 11 $1000 scholarships to local high school seniors who plan to become public school teachers.  For more information about CalRTA, go to www.calrta.org or www.div33.calrta.org.

The post CalRTA Awards Teacher Grants to Six Local Educators appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.