By: Andy Kozlowski | Madison-Park News | Published December 10, 2024
MADISON HEIGHTS — A teacher in the Madison District Public Schools and three teachers in the Lamphere Public Schools are among those receiving competitive grants for classroom projects.
The Classroom Cash Grants program is administered by the Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union. More than $45,000 is being awarded this year to 62 educators from 51 schools across Michigan.
Each grant is worth up to $750. The program has funded more than 1,200 unique projects since it launched nearly 20 years ago, totaling more than $700,000.
One of the 2024 recipients is Laura Shultz, a special education teacher at Wilkinson Middle School in the Madison District Public Schools.
“Many of my students, they learn more effectively in a nontraditional way,” Shultz said. “I am trying to approach things by engaging different parts of the brain, finding ways to help my students retain the information they need at this point in their education, like being more successful in reading. So all of the items I put down to purchase had kinesthetic qualities, like manipulating tiles with letters on them to sound out words. Everything I was looking for had that tactile quality of movement, which I think helps my students to learn.”
Lamphere Public Schools had several teachers who received Classroom Cash Grants. They described their projects in a series of emails.
Sarah Vrabel teaches third grade at Edmonson Elementary School. She received the full $750 and will be buying books to stock the classroom library.
“I applied for this grant because it was a great opportunity to get new and engaging books into my students’ hands,” Vrabel said. “I want my students to be able to pick books that they are interested in and that will keep their attention.”
She said the long-term goal is to find books that foster their love of reading.
“Having as many options as possible and keeping up with trends and new books is difficult, so getting extra funding to keep up the library is important,” Vrabel said, noting that she has received MSGCU grants for “quite a few years now,” and adding that MSGCU “makes the application process super easy, and it is very beneficial to our students and our school.”
Michelle Cassidy teaches kindergarten at Lessenger Elementary School. She will use her grant funds to purchase “purposeful play toys” for the classroom.
“We have a handful of timeless toys, like a great play kitchen and dollhouse. Toys for building, like blocks and magnetic tiles. There is much research that outlines the importance of dramatic play in early childhood, and the positive impact it has on children’s social and emotional development,” Cassidy said. “With the funds, we will be purchasing things like puppets and items for a play veterinary clinic, grocery store and pizzeria.”
Her colleague Cindy Woodrow teaches fifth grade at Lessenger Elementary and was another grant recipient. She used a similar grant the previous year to purchase ErgoErgo stools, which offer flexible seating options so that students have the freedom to choose how they want to sit and move while learning, leading to improved focus and engagement.
“This year, I was thrilled to use the grant for a cozy new couch and a colorful classroom rug,” Woodrow said. “These additions make the classroom feel more inviting, providing a comfortable area for group activities, reading time, and a welcoming space where students feel at home.”
Outside of the Madison and Lamphere school districts, some examples of projects using the grants include solar-powered robots for a class at Armada Middle School; photography equipment for student journalists at West Middle School in Rochester; and a fleet of bicycles for an outdoor exercise program at Walled Lake Northern High School.
“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 and CEO, in a statement. “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.”