Credit Union Answers Teacher Wish Lists

Even a little bit of help can go a long way in the classroom. Hawaii State Federal Credit Union knows that, which is why it donated $19,948.28 to 45 public schoolteachers in 2014 — including four in East Oahu.

The Investing in Education grants address the individual requests of teachers who submit essays explaining how the money will be used in their classrooms.

“It seems like every teacher out there is always spending their own money for supplies, and they need help on this,” explained Karen Ho of HSFCU. “It was a way we could touch as many people as possible and help them out.

“We normally give out from $200 to $500 per request, and we look to see if it’s something that we feel is really going to help in educating the students. There’s so many things out there that we didn’t realize,” Ho said.

For example, Karen Kramer, a special education teacher at Kaiser High School, received funds to purchase two Google Nexus 7 computers, which will help her students utilize technology with their science and social studies work.

Other East Oahu recipients include Nina Fujimoto of Kaimuki High, Felicia McCalister Newton of Palolo Elementary and Naomi Oshiro of Hokulani Elementary schools.

Ho noted that this year, all 45 grant recipients were first-time awardees, and that interested applicants for the 2015 cycle (which opens Aug. 1) should submit their request as early as possible.

For more information about the grant, call Ho at 447-8084.