Especially for Educators

2010 Outstanding Educators Announced!

Back Row L-R: Sarah Pierson, Steven Tavener, Linda Melvin, Chuck Mueller, Diana Glaesmer-Hawn.
Front Row L-R: Beth Maday, Becky Rankens, Chris Snyder, Karen Szcodronski, Tricia Schneider.

Traverse City, MI — Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District (TBAISD), TBA Credit Union, and the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce are proud to announce the recipients of the 2010 Outstanding Educator Awards.

Nominated by their colleagues, principals, students, and parents, these ten individuals have established valuable recognition of their contribution to the academic success of students, have demonstrated their ability to work collaboratively with educators throughout the region, and are in relentless pursuit of their own professional development.

Diana Glaesmer-Hawn, Administrator – TBAISD Adult Work Center
Beth Maday, School Counselor – GTACS St. Francis High School
Linda Melvin, Teacher – TCAPS Long Lake Elementary
Chuck Mueller, School Social Worker, TBAISD for Traverse City East Middle School
Sarah Pierson, Teacher – Elk Rapids Cherryland Middle School
Becky Rankens, Teacher – TCAPS Central High School
Patricia Schneider, Teacher – TCAPS Old Mission Peninsula School
Christine Snyder, Teacher – Bellaire Middle School
Karen Szcodronski, Administrator – Traverse Bay Area ISD
Steven Tavener, Teacher – Interlochen Arts Academy

These individuals were honored in an awards ceremony held at the Northwestern Michigan College Milliken Auditorium on Wednesday, June 2, 2010.

First TBA CU Education Stimulus Grant Winner Announced!

While students were enjoying mild temperatures and sunshine during spring break, teacher Tom Cooper of Cherry Knoll Elementary was busily researching for and writing a grant application that would benefit more than 100 students in his school. TBA Credit Union’s Education Stimulus Grant was introduced earlier this year in response to the continuing economic crisis and its impact on school budgets throughout the five-county region.

Cooper’s efforts paid off, and on April 21, he was awarded a check for $5,000. The first Education Stimulus Grant winner of the year, Cooper will use the award to provide his class with an ActivBoard, an 87-inch interactive whiteboard designed to increase student motivation while improving academic achievement.

“Extensive research has proven that there is a significant improvement in student performance in classrooms using an ActivBoard over those that go without,” said Cooper of the equipment his grant will purchase. “I have personally seen this tool excite and encourage older students. Just think of the impact the ActivBoard will have on younger students who are still developing their expectations of school.”

“ActivBoards are a unique and innovative way to teach children and we are excited to help bring this cutting edge technology to Cherry Knoll,” said Karen Browne, President/CEO of TBA Credit Union.

TBA Credit Union will be awarding three more Education Stimulus Grants this year. School employees of any public, private, or charter school in Antrim, Benzie, Leelanau, Grand Traverse, and Kalkaska counties can apply. To learn more, call Robin Ahart at 231-932-5035.

TBA CU Celebrates Youth Financial Literacy Month

TBA Credit Union celebrated Youth Financial Literacy Month at Suttons Bay Middle School on April 19 with Mrs. Crandall’s 8th grade class. Representative Dan Scripps was on site to discuss the importance of good borrowing habits and paying bills on time. Students also enjoyed a fun activity using M&Ms for money to help illustrate the value of a balanced budget. Youth Financial Literacy Month is recognized every April to emphasize the importance of financial literacy while teaching youth the value of healthy financial habits.

New Education Stimulus Grant!

TBA Credit Union has introduced the Education Stimulus Grant, a program designed to support innovative and creative programs in schools throughout the five-county area. Four grants of $5,000 each will be awarded to area educators in 2010. Projects will be selected for funding based on how they enhance classroom learning while fostering students' imaginations and creativity. School employees of any public, private, or charter school in Antrim, Benzie, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Grand Traverse counties can apply. To learn more, download an application packet or call Robin Ahart at 231-932-5035.

Grand Traverse Area Retired School Personnel

Good news for GTARSP members! You can now view your bi-annual newsletter online! To view the Bay Leaf Newsletter, click here. Viewing your newsletter online is fast, easy, and saves GTARSP money in postage and printing costs! To learn more about how TBA Credit Union can save you money, call 231-946-7090 or visit our website for information on money-saving products like free checking and online banking.

Educator’s Choice Checking Package

A unique product designed especially for school employees!

Any school employee in the five-county area qualifies for the following exclusive Educator’s Choice benefits:

• FREE checking with no minimum balance
• FREE unlimited Spirit Checks
• FREE Visa Travel Card
• FREE online banking & bill pay
• Educator’s Advantage Overdraft Line of Credit
• FREE Educator’s Choice T-shirt
• FREE Educator’s Choice Perk Card with special offers exclusively for school employees from Moomers, Beach Bums, Pit Row, Mirage Tanning, Living Light Massage, and more!
• Discounts on many loan products
• Bonuses on certificate of deposits (excluding specials)
• Premium rates on Deferred Compensation accounts
• Summer Savings to ease the expense of summer spending
• Hall Pass good for one returned NSF fee per school year

For each school employee who becomes an Educator’s Choice member, TBA Credit Union will donate $25 to the Classroom Grant program benefiting educators in the five-county area!

To learn more about how you can become an exclusive Educator’s Choice member, call 231-946-7090 and ask to speak with a New Accounts Representative today!

Educator’s Choice T-shirt

Educator’s Choice Perk Card

Classroom Grants

Committed to our students and the educators dedicated to their enrichment, TBA Credit Union and MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency once again sponsored a Classroom Grant for the 2009/2010 school year. Last year, recipients used the funds in a variety of ways including field trips and books for the classroom. The funds assisted over 1000 students in the 5-county area. Click here to view current and past years' recipients.

To learn more about the Classroom Grant, call Robin Ahart at 231-932-5035. To apply, download our PDF application.

Spirit Checks Raise Money for Your School!

Parents, faculty and administrators can now show their school pride by having school logos printed right on their TBA Credit Union checks!

How does this benefit schools? For each box of checks ordered with an imprint of your school’s logo, TBA Credit Union will donate $2 to your school!

And the best part? You don’t have to do anything! Unlike the work involved in fundraisers, this is an easy way to raise money for your school while giving your community an opportunity to show their support each time they write a check.

Participating Schools:

• St. Francis Gladiators
• Grand Traverse Academy
• Woodland School
• TBA ISD
• Buckley Bears
• Benzie Huskies
• Leland Comets
• Traverse City Titans
• Traverse City Trojans
• Kalkaska Blazers
• Suttons Bay Norsemen
• Forest Area Warriors
• Elk Rapids Elks
• Kingsley Stags
• Mancelona Ironmen
• Leelanau St. Mary's Eagles
• Glen Lake Lakers
• Northport Wildcats

Don’t see your school? Let us know! Getting started is easy! All we need is your school logo emailed to Robin Ahart and signed authorization by an administrator to use it. Click here to see what your Spirit Checks will look like. For more information about the program, please call Robin at 231-932-5035.

Deferred Compensation

A retirement savings plan offered exclusively to school employees, your credit union’s Deferred Compensation accounts are another excellent tool to start planning for your future today!

• Attractive rates
• No minimum balance to open
• Lower your taxable income by deferring a portion of your wages each pay period
• Pay no taxes on either your contributions or your earnings until you withdraw the funds
• No annual maintenance fees

For more information, contact Joann Anderson at 231-946-8794.