MHS Teachers Awarded Education Grants

HI State FCU News Release

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union (Hawaii State FCU) has awarded nearly $40,000 in grants to Hawaii public school teachers through its 2020 Investing in Education grant program. A total of 84 grants were distributed to public school teachers across Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Molokai to help purchase classroom supplies and enhance student curriculums.

Two teachers at Molokai High, Grace Chen-Ellis and Tilana Roberts, were among the recipients.

“Since 2009, Hawaii State FCU’s Investing in Education grant program has supported teachers by providing grants to purchase needed supplies, technology and tools to enhance classroom learning,” said Andrew Rosen, president and CEO of Hawaii State FCU. “The need, especially during this past year, has never been greater. Our teachers have had to step up to the challenge of maintaining engagement and enrichment in both distance-learning and modified-classroom settings. We’re proud to continue our support for these selfless teachers and their efforts to continually expand the academic opportunities for our students.”

Applicants were asked to submit an essay stating the needs of their classrooms and how the funds will improve student learning. Majority of the requests received in 2020 focused around the unique classroom circumstances and teaching needs that arose due to the pandemic, with items such as web cameras, e-books, academic software subscriptions, cleaning supplies and ear buds being among the most common. Items such as STEM related project materials, robotics kits and art supplies were also highly desired.

Grants were distributed statewide, with nearly 35 percent received by Leeward Oahu-area school teachers and more than 10 percent going to Neighbor Island teachers located on Maui, Kauai and Molokai.

Hawaii State FCU’s Investing in Education grant program has been funding Hawaii’s classrooms since 2009 and has dispersed nearly 700 grants with a total value of almost $325,000. Additionally, Hawaii State FCU’s Lowell Kalapa Scholarship Program has awarded more than nearly $800,000 over the past 24 years to help students attend universities, colleges and trade schools in Hawaii and on the mainland.