Maps Awards $1,000 Teacher Grants to 10 Winners

Published February 12, 2018

Maps Credit Union’s Community Foundation has given away $10,000 in grants this year to help 10 public school teachers bring their ideas and innovations to life.

The winners, who each received $1,000, were selected based on the number of online votes they received for the video each created that answered the question “How will this grant make a difference to your students?” Voters were asked to lean toward proposals that promote financial literacy, hands-on learning, or preparing for college.

The funds were awarded as part of the foundation’s annual education grant program, which has given more than $44,000 to Salem-area teachers. This year the foundation invited public school teachers in Marion and Polk counties to apply for funds.

“We’re honored to help these talented teachers implement their innovative ideas,” said Mitzi Smith, the foundation’s community development officer. “These projects will enrich the lives of thousands of students today, and, in many cases, thousands more in years to come.”

The video applications reflect the teachers’ creativity and dedication to students.

Vance Bowman’s request for 18 ukuleles, for example, features a group of Pringle Elementary students singing “Don't Worry, Be Happy” while playing “air ukuleles.”

Parrish Middle School teacher Tara Heikila said that a visit to the Evergreen Aviation Museum will show her students that “math is just not in their textbook.”

Heikila added that the grant will make a difference because “it will take away our stress of money…it will give kids the opportunity to experience something that they might not ever experience.”

Here are the names of the 2018 grant recipients and descriptions of what they plan to do with their winnings:

    •       Susan Andree of Community Roots School, Silver Falls School District, will buy supplies to design and operate a business run by 7th- and 8th-graders. Number of students the project benefits: 10

•           Vance Bowman of Pringle Elementary School, Salem-Keizer School District,  will purchase 18 ukuleles for students to learn how to play. Number of students the project benefits: 100

•           Janell Davis of Falls City Elementary School, Falls City School District, will invest in a structure for the school store, where students practice math and interpersonal skills while selling supplies. She will use the balance of the grant to buy items for the class auction, during which students buy gifts with the “currency” they’ve earn for completing homework and other tasks. Number of students the project benefits: 130

    •       Kathy Frank of Bethany Charter School, Silver Falls School District, will pay for materials for Natural Science Days at Bethany. Number of students the project benefits: 139

    •       Lisa Hardey of Sprague High School, Salem-Keizer School District, will buy tables, chairs, lights, and other items to transform the former library lab into a place where students can read and collaborate. Number of students the project benefits: 1,700

    •       Tara Heikila of Parrish Middle School, Salem-Keizer School District, will take students to the Evergreen Aviation Museum to learn aviation history, meet pilots, and create a flying object. Number of students the project benefits: 71

    •       Brad Kilgroe of Whiteaker Middle School, Salem-Keizer School District, will buy lab supplies, such as glassware and digital scales, that will help students meet Next Generation Science Standards. Number of students the project benefits: 785

    •       Ian Reed of Robert Frost Elementary School, Silver Falls School District, will buy equipment for hands-on lessons in science. Number of students the project benefits: 400

    •       Michael Ross of Battle Creek Elementary School, Salem-Keizer School District, will take students to the Portland Art Museum to see Native American artifacts. Number of students the project benefits: 31.

    •       Dylan Uselman of Butte Creek Elementary, Silver Falls School District, will buy equipment for making and editing animations, and editing photos and videos. Number of students the project benefits: 130

The grants are funded by Maps’ Free Community Checking accounts, which donate a penny to the foundation every time a member uses a Maps Community Checking debit card. Last year, debit card use brought in more than $83,000 for teacher grants, comunity grants, scholarships, financial education, and non-profit support.

See students’ and teachers’ reactions when they find out their teachers won grants

See the video applications