FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 27, 2013

Contact: Brandy Ward, (800) 252-8148, ext. 4210 [email protected]

Central Texas Educators Awarded Over $68,000 in Grant Funds! Austin, TX – A+ Education Foundation (Foundation), a philanthropic arm of A+ Federal Credit Union announced the Foundation’s 2013 Educator Grant Program grant recipients. This year over $68,000 was awarded to 74 grant recipients! These funds cover the cost of programs, supplies, and training to improve the classroom experience for students in Central Texas. This year’s 74 winning submissions included a community garden, reading center, group play therapy, weather stations, reading group, college readiness database, Japanese raku firing, and music composition (“iPad Band”). Austin ISD Recipient Richard W. Sanford Samuel M. Parrott Suzanna Ammenheuser James M. Butler Mary Jane Ledesma

School Anderson HS Brooke ES Casis ES

Diana L. McMillan Virginia V. Hill Amanda E. Smith Alexandra A. Tarpley

Gullett ES Jane Langford ES John H. Reagan College HS Liberal Arts & Science Academy HS Mathews ES Oak Hill ES Oak Hill ES Oak Hill ES

Pamela S. Calabrese

Oak Hill ES

Juan C. Barcera Staci NowakowskiGrimm Kathi S. Peterka Kristen K. Palmer Aaron M. Gerber

Oak Hill ES

Stewart B. Hollub Ronny D. Risinger

Oak Hill ES Oak Hill ES Oak Hill ES Oak Hill ES

Bastrop ISD Tiffany E. Williams Bluebonnet ES Tiffany L. Wilson Emile ES De Valle ISD Guadalupe Valdez Creedmoor ES

Florence ISD Susan L. Powell Florence ES Georgetown ISD Janae L. Pierce McCoy ES Sheila A. O’Leary Village ES Hays CISD Melissa A. Garraway Barton MS Selina V. Mireles Carpenter Hill ES Jennifer C. O’Neal Lehman HS Hutto ISD Angela R. Hartman Hutto HS Lauren D. Williams Hutto HS Laurie A. Ebbighausen Ray ES Leander ISD Angelene R. Nordin Giddens ES Jennifer B. Mackie Jim Plain ES Diana M. D’Emeraude River Place ES Linda J. Zarsky Winkley ES Manor ISD Nicole Brown Oak Meadows ES Pflugerville ISD Lingxiu Valerie Zhong Connally HS Lisa P. Samuels Kelly Lane MS Cynthia L. Mixon Kelly Lane MS Judy F. Lau Spring Hill ES

Round Rock ISD Rachel A. Walker Tiffany L. Vogelman April D. Sweet Jennifer E. Weaver* Jessica R. Cheyney Leslee Arredondo Stephanie M. Martin Julie W. Costas Kimberly L. Boen Shannon K. Sieber Sara M. Coons Lisa B. Thompson Christine N. Carter Alice K. Barnard Celina Lewis Debbie Galloway Patti A. Francese Diane S. Hance Chrissy M. Epperson

Cactus Ranch ES Caldwell Heights ES Caldwell Heights ES Callison ES Callison ES Callison ES Canyon Vista MS Cedar Valley MS Chisholm Trail MS Deerpark MS Double File Trail ES Double File Trail ES Jollyville ES Kathy Caraway ES Linda Herrington ES Linda Herrington ES McNeil HS Noel Grisham ES Voigt ES

* “The Kate Loftis Memorial Education Grant” recipient

San Marcos CISD Priscilla K. Delgado Bowie ES Paul Gold DeZavala ES Brandi Crow DeZavala ES Vicki Alford DeZavala ES Connie D. Martin Goodnight MS Arlene S. Hooper Goodnight MS Jacquelynn S. Norman San Marcos HS Chris L. Cooper San Marcos HS Private/Charter Schools Austin Jewish Sarah G. Jones Academy Austin Jewish Karen F. Hidalgo Academy Katherine Anne Sabina D. Reynolds Porter School Heather Wheeler REAL Learning Huffman Academy REAL Learning Georgia L. Kennedy Academy REAL Learning Kierstin N. Howard Academy Santa Cruz Catholic Dayna K. White School Schoolhouse Karen Dale Wolman Academy Texas Preparatory Alison M. Howland School

The Foundation also continues to offer an Honorary Grant Program in which grants are awarded, in a name designated by contributors, in the amount of $1,000. This year’s recipient of The Kate Loftis Memorial Education Grant, awarded on behalf of Dennis and Cindy Loftis, is Jennifer Weaver from Callison Elementary School in Round Rock ISD. Her grant program is entitled Reading Takes You Places. Kate Loftis who was born January 31, 1900 was a life-long teacher who obtained her teaching certificate from what is now Texas State University. At age 20, she began teaching in schools around Travis County until her retirement in 1945. She then began teaching veterans returning from World War II and continued teaching until her mid 90’s, travelling from her care facility to a local elementary school to teach reading. Kerry A.S. Parker, President of the Foundation, notes, “In this ninth year of the grant program, we continue to be impressed by the innovative and creative grants submitted. We are thrilled to give back to educators by awarding grants to fund the programs that enhance their teaching and their students’ learning experience. What a positive impact these educators are making on their classroom, campus and in their community. A+ Federal Credit Union was founded by teachers in 1949 and remains dedicated to our educational roots and the communities we serve.” A+ Education Foundation – A+ Education Foundation was established and developed by A+ Federal Credit Union in 2005 to provide grants to full-time Pre K - Grade 12 educators in reaching their educational goals. Since its inception, the Foundation has given $456,000 in grants. These grants help fund programs and training for educators in the communities served by A+ Federal Credit Union. To find out more information, including how to support teachers in your area, visit aplusfcu.org/grants. A+ Federal Credit Union - With 17 Austin area locations, more than $1 billion in assets, and over 100,000 members that include not only educators, students, and their families, but other members of the community as well, A+FCU has grown to become one of the largest credit unions in Austin. To find out more, visit the website at aplusfcu.org.