Local Teachers Receiving $45,000 in MSGCU Classroom Cash Grants

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI – Nov. 12, 2024 – Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union (MSGCU) is proud to announce its 2024 Classroom Cash Grants recipients. MSGCU is awarding more than $45,000 to 62 educators from 51 schools across Michigan.

Each teacher is receiving a grant worth up to $750 to help implement innovative learning experiences that inspire students’ curiosity, critical thinking, and problem solving in the classroom. Teachers submitted creative project ideas that will enhance their curriculum in various subjects, including math, science, literacy, social and emotional learning, and physical education. As one of the many programs MSGCU delivers to support community members, the Classroom Cash Grants initiative has funded over 1,200 unique projects since it launched almost 20 years ago.

“Educators have a strong influence on their students’ academic achievement, and MSGCU is proud to help them bring hands-on learning to their classrooms to support student success,” said Steve Brewer, MSGCU President/CEO. “Teachers are a critical part of our community, and we truly value their commitment to enhancing curriculum to leave a lasting impact on their students.”

Teachers use the MSGCU grant funds to bring engaging lessons to their students. Here’s a snapshot of the lessons students will learn this year:

  • Kristen Siress, an educator at Armada Middle School, is using her funds to purchase solar powered robot kits. Students will have the opportunity to engineer the robots and learn about green technology and renewable energy.
  • Kara Foutz, an educator at West Middle School in Rochester, is buying a camera, lenses, and photography accessories. The professional equipment will allow student journalists to learn about photojournalism, media literacy, and storytelling as they cover school events.
  • Michelle Brandon, an educator at Walled Lake Northern High School, is building a fleet of bicycles to use in the school’s new Outdoor Pursuits class that develops and strengthens outdoor skills. Students will utilize the bikes as they learn about safe riding and basic maintenance.

Classroom Cash Grants winners are determined based on total votes cast by MSGCU members, students, parents, colleagues, family members, and friends. More than 117,000 votes were cast during the 11-day public online voting period this year.

2024 MSGCU Classroom Cash Grants Recipients

Michelle Alger, Huron Academy (Macomb)
Kelly Biernat, L'Anse Creuse Middle School North (Macomb))
Allison Boska, L'Anse Creuse Middle School North (Macomb)
Julie Bowyer, Wiley Elementary School (Oakland)
Janet Brady, Wheat Early Childhood Center (Macomb)
Michelle Brandon, Walled Lake Northern High School (Oakland)
Michelle Cassidy, Lessenger Elementary School(Oakland)
Breanne Ceriotti, Oakbrook Elementary School (Macomb)
Amy Chapman, Graebner Elementary School (Macomb)
April Clos, Kaiser Elementary School (Macomb)
Donna Cotton, Harper Woods High School (Wayne)
Susan Culver, Hoover Elementary School (Oakland)
Paula Danna, Memphis Junior/Senior High School (St. Clair))
Kate Dixon, Grayling Middle School (Crawford)
Donna Cotton, Harper Woods High School (Wayne)
Angela Ernstes, 5/6 Building at Georgetown (Ottawa)
Jennifer Ferri, Higgins Elementary School (Macomb)
Kara Foutz, West Middle School (Oakland)
Carrie Grewette, Steenland Elementary School (Macomb)
Jennifer Heywood, Beck Centennial Elementary School (Macomb)
Candace Ivy, Plumbrook Elementary School (Macomb)
Sheri Kaplan, Walled Lake Elementary School (Oakland)
Jeannie Kelly, Little Turtle Early Childhood Center (Macomb)
Susan Kim, Power Middle School (Oakland)
Nicole Kotkoski, Robbie Hall Parker Elementary School (Macomb)
Laura Laban, Ebeling Elementary School (Macomb)
Kristen Leinart, Jefferson Middle School (Macomb)
David Licari, Algonquin Elementary School (St. Clair)
Kathleen Lubera, Rodgers Elementary School (Wayne)
Jennifer Lusk, Little Turtle Early Childhood Center (Macomb)
Nicole Lutomski, Greenwood Elementary School (Macomb)
Kristi MacDonald, Washington Elementary School (Macomb)
Michelle McLennan, Princeton Elementary School (Macomb)
Dawn Mergener, Lawrence Elementary School (Van Buren)
Sarah Miesch, Rochester High School (Oakland)
Kim Myers, Wheat Early Childhood Center (Macomb)
Sarah Oikarinen, Orion Oaks Elementary School (Oakland)
Lindsay Oliver, St. Peter Macomb (Macomb)
Emma Parks, Princeton Elementary School (Macomb)
Tracey Pastrick, Dooley Little Learners (Macomb)
Brianna Roach, Donald J. Yacks Elementary School (Macomb)
Stephanie Roy, Crissman Elementary School (Macomb)
Elizabeth Schmidt, Edison Elementary School (Macomb)
Nicole Schneider, Beacon Tree Elementary School (Macomb)
Krista Schumacher, Princeton Elementary School (Macomb)
Ashley Sebastian, Immaculate Conception (St. Clair)
Merrily Seranian, Burns Elementary-Middle School (Wayne)
Bradley Sharpe, Brown City Junior/Senior High School (Sanilac)
Laura Shultz, Wilkinson Middle School (Oakland)
Kristen Siress, Armada Middle School (Macomb
Nick Skalsky, Henry Ford II High School (Macomb)
Renee Sobczyk, Greenwood Elementary School (Macomb)
Kelly Strackbein, Great Oaks Elementary School (Macomb)
Stefanie Taylor, Ebeling Elementary School (Macomb)
Dorene Taylor, Rodgers Elementary School (Macomb)
Alexis Timm, Beacon Tree Elementary School (Macomb)
Amanda Turpin, Richmond Middle School (Macomb)
Sarah Vrabel, Edmonson Elementary School (Oakland)
Ljiljana Vuljevic, Little Turtle Early Childhood Center (Macomb)
Heather Weaver, Wheat Early Childhood Center (Macomb)
Gregory Wolff, Pierce Middle School (Wayne)
Cindy Woodrow, Lessenger Elementary School (Oakland)
Ashley Zachwieja, Cromie Elementary School (Macomb)

The credit union also helps local teachers by providing free financial education through in-person and virtual classroom presentations, low-rate classroom loans, and the Milo Perreault Educator Advantage Scholarship for continuing education.

For more information about the Classroom Cash Grants program and to view the grant recipients’ projects, visit classroomcash.org.



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