Classroom Grant Recipients
2009/2010 School Year
Sue Chapman of Suttons Bay High School received her classroom grantCongratulations to Sue Chapman of Suttons Bay High School for receiving a Classroom Grant that will enhance the school's health curriculum. The funds will be used to provide yoga and nutrition instruction to students with the help of a certified yoga instructor.
Mrs. Welburn accepts her grant from Karen Browne, President/CEO of TBA CUAnne Welburn of Fife Lake Elementary School was recently awarded a Classroom Grant to purchase phonics tool kits for every teacher in the school. The kits will help with small group instruction geared towards children who are struggling to catch up to grade level. Congratulations, Mrs. Welburn!
Mr. Libby accepts grant from Karen Browne and Merrill Harvitt Michael Libby, Leelanau School art teacher, recently accepted a grant to purchase copy stands that will be used in the art, animation, and photography programs. The stands will be used to copy student artwork and photography for portfolio use as well as offer proper lighting and layout for the school's stop animation program. "We are using outdated equipment to create 'homemade' lighting set-ups," explained Mr. Libby. "The new copy stands will vastly improve the quality of students' work while allowing it to be done more quickly and efficiently." Congratulations, Mr. Libby!
Mrs. Hancock accepts her grant from Karen Browne of TBA Credit Union and Merrill Harvitt of MEEMIC Insurance. Recent grant recipient Megan Hancock used her award to purchase supplemental math materials for her TCAPS Montessori 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. The materials will provide students with appropriate follow-up and practice to math concepts learned in the Montessori math program. Congratulations, Mrs. Hancock!
Mrs. Mackey and her students accepting their Classroom Grant. Journalism teacher Jody Mackey, Traverse City East Middle School, works with students to produce a weekly boradcast called Trojan TV. Her grant will be used to supply additional broadcast kits (cameras, microphones, headsets, and tripods) to students in order to increase student coverage and school features on their show. Congratulations, Mrs. Mackey!
To see coverage of Mrs. Mackey's grant presentation, click here.
Karen Browne of TBA CU and Merrill Harvitt of MEEMIC present Mrs. Jackson and Mr. Peters (principal) with a Classroom Grant. Central Grade School teacher Stephanie Jackson was awarded a Classroom Grant to purchase 48 nonfiction leveled books. The nonfiction collection appeals to students' natural curiosity by offering books about subjects that most interest them. Titles include "Castles", "Jamaica", "The Space Shuttle", and "Hurricane Katrina Dogs". Students in future classes will also benefit from these new titles as the books will stay in Mrs. Jackson's classroom library from year to year. Congratulations, Mrs. Jackson!
Karen Browne of TBA CU and Merrill Harvitt of MEEMIC present Mrs. Jackson and Mr. Peters (principal) with a Classroom Grant. Elizabeth Chapelle and Deb Nickerson of Platte River Elementary saw a need to help students build their knowledge of social skills so together, they applied for a grant to purchase a computer program called Boardmaker Plus. The program provides a way to develop easily recognized picture cues for students with learning challenges. In addition, the program will help students who are visual learners more easily navigate their school day. Boardmaker Plus will be available for Platte River Students now and for years to come! Congratulations!
Karen Browne (TBA CU) and Merrill Harvitt (MEEMIC) award Robyn Jones a Classroom Grant. Robyn Jones had a vision of what her students, aged 18 to 26, would experience when they went to the TBA ISD GTI Adult Work Center. Part of Robyn's vision was helping her emotionally, cognitively, and physically impaired students learn basic cooking and baking skills. Integrating this course into the ACW program will enhance students' daily living skills while teaching safety and healthy eating habits as they prepare to transition into independent living. Congratulations, Robyn!
Jennifer Kortman and the Mancelona High School team accepting their grant! Jennifer Kortman, Mancelona High School, was recently awarded a Classroom Grant for dry erase boards with graphing grids to use in her math classes. The boards will allow Jennifer to conduct interactive lessons with her students and provide immediate feedback in class. Congratulations!
Erika Olvey and the Blair Elementary School team
accepting a Classroom Grant! Erika Olvey was this year's first Classroom Grant recipient! A teacher at Blair Elementary School in Traverse City, Erika is using her award to purchase books and materials to assist in teaching her students fractions and time tables. Congratulations, Mrs. Olvey!
2008/2009 School Year
Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance; Maureen Bauer, teacher and grant recipient; Karen Browne, President/CEO, TBA Credit Union. Teacher Maureen Bauer, West Middle School, was awarded a Classroom Grant to purchase Franklin Spelling Ace and Thesaurus hand-held units to increase writing fluency and accuracy within the classroom. The units will aide students' proficiency in spelling and maximize their fluency in writing. Great job, Mrs. Bauer!
Mrs. Keipper and her 3rd grade class; Karen Browne, President/CEO, TBA Credit Union; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance.
Patsy Keipper, 3rd grade teacher at Immaculate Conception Elementary School, is the most recent Classroom Grant recipient. The funds will be used to purchase books for a program called "BOOK IN A BAG" which motivates students to become better readers and encourages struggling readers' interest in books. Congratulations, Mrs. Keipper!
Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; Karen Browne, President/CEO, TBA Credit Union; Mary Kolle, grant recipient; Sharon Dionne, Principal, Central Grade School.
Mary Kolle, School Readiness Service Provider, was awarded a Classroom Grant to purchase supplies needed for "Way to Grow" playgroups and home visits. Over 5000 families are served by the "Way to Grow" program. Congratulations, Mary!
Mrs. McPhee and her students using Zoo-Phonics.
Judy McPhee, Old Mission Elementary School, was awarded a Classroom Grant to purchase a Zoo-Phonics Kindergarten Kit. The program helps students learn letter sounds quickly and retain what they learn while having fun! Congratulations, Mrs. McPhee!
Staff at New Campus accept a check from Karen Browne, TBA CU, and Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance.
The staff at New Campus (TBA ISD) received a grant to help purchase supplies and equipment for the school's cafeteria salad bar. Their goal is to encourage healthy eating habits while providing fresh and nourishing foods for the kids. Congratulations!
Karen Browne, President/CEO, TBA CU; Shar Bogard, grant recipient; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance.
Shar Bogard, Willow Hill Librarian, recently accepted a grant that will enable the school to create a Reading Garden. The area will also serve as a bird and butterfly habitat supporting students' instruction in science. Her hope is that students will be encouraged to read more if they have a special area while developing a deeper appreciation for nature. Congratulations, Mrs. Bogard!
Mr. Laird's class accepting a Classroom Grant from TBA CU and MEEMIC Insurance.
Ben Laird, Central High School, was awarded a grant for new supplies that will better enable his students to collect recycling throughout the school. Mr. Laird's students perform many pre-vocational duties throughout the school with an aim to develop safe and efficient work habits. Recycling is just one of the many projects his students work on each year. Congratulations, Mr. Laird!
Mrs. Floering's students performing during a holiday concert.
Grand Traverse Academy music teacher Michelle Floering was awarded $500 during a recent school holiday concert. She is using the funds to purchase percussion instruments so the school has a complete section for ensembles to perform for events. Congratulations, Mrs. Floering!
Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance; Jenny Reno, teacher and grant recipient; Karen Browne, President/CEO, TBA Credit Union.
Jenny Reno, Reading Recovery at Westwoods Elementary School, accepted a check for $500 that will be used to purchase books for struggling readers. Providing high interest, easy-to-read books increases students fluency and reading ability while increasing their confidence. Congratulations, Miss Reno!
Karen Browne, President/CEO, TBA Credit Union; Deb Pascoe, teacher; Brandi Reynolds, teacher and grant recipient; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency.
TBA Credit Union, in partnership with MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency, kicked off the 2008/2009 school year with a Classroom Grant benefiting over 300 students at Traverse City East Junior High. Brandi Reynolds, 8th grade history teacher, will use the funds to purchase microphones and headphones so students can create digital stories about historical events. Congratulations, Mrs. Reynolds!
2007/2008 School Year
Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; Joan Lackie-Callighan, teacher and grant recipient; Karen Browne, President, TBA Credit Union; Mrs. Callighan's 1st grade class.
Joan Lackie-Callighan, 1st grade teacher at Traverse Heights Elementary, was awarded a Classroom Grant to purchase supplemental materials for the school's guided reading program. The strategy cards will provide shared reading opportunities, develop reading comprehension skills, and help children problem solve by applying different strategies when faced with challenging text. Congratulations, Joan!
Karen Browne, President, TBA Credit Union; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; Deborah Pahssen, teacher and grant recipient; Lori Phillips, Principal, Holy Angels Elementary School.
Deborah Pahssen, 2nd grade teacher at Holy Angels Elementary School, was recently awarded a $500 Classroom Grant for listening center materials. The leveled chapter books and read-along books with CDs will benefit students for years to come. Congratulations, Deborah!
Robin Ahart (Marketing Coordinator, TBA Credit Union), Bethany Onthank, (counselor and grant recipient), Karen Browne, (President, TBA Credit Union), and Merrill Harvitt (MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency) pose with the 7th and 8th grade students who enjoyed a class trip on the Inland Seas.
Bethany Onthank, counselor at Glen Lake Community Schools, was recently awarded a Classroom Grant for a middle school field trip aboard the schooner Inland Seas. Students studied the ecology, history, geology, and geography of the Great Lakes. Congratulations, Bethany!
Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; Karen Browne, President, TBA Credit Union; Lori Westman, grant recipient.
Lori Westman, Augmentative Communication Consultant for TBAISD, is TBA Credit Union's most recent Classroom Grant recipient. The $500 award will be used to create 45 Low-Tech Toolkits for Communication to be utilized by Speech-Language Pathologists who service students within the five county area.
The kits will help therapists spend more time with their students while giving a 'voice' to students who cannot talk, cannot be understood, or cannot otherwise express themselves effectively. Congratulations, Lori!
Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance; Roxann Kitchen-Smith, counselor and grant recipient; Karen Browne, President, TBA Credit Union.
Roxann Kitchen-Smith, counselor at Bellaire Elementary, was awarded a $500 Classroom Grant for a "You Can Choose" DVD series that helps students learn behavioral, social, and life skills. The video provides teachers and counselors with a springboard for group discussion and starts children on the path to positive, healthful choices. Congratulations, Roxann!
Cherie Correll, teacher and grant recipient; Karen Browne, CEO, TBA Credit Union; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency.
Cherie Correll, Central Grade School Art teacher, was awarded a $500 Classroom Grant to use towards a special art project that will include all her 5th grade students this spring. Environmental artist Patricia Innis will be working with Cheri's students to help them understand how history, culture, science, and the visual arts influence each other. Congratulations, Mrs. Correll!
Sharon Dionne, Principal, Central Grade School; Stephanie Jackson, teacher and grant recipient.
Stephanie Jackson, first grade school teacher at Central Grade School, was recently awarded the first Classroom Grant of the year! The grant will be used to purchase a "Time for Kids" magazine subscription for each first grade student. The magazine incorporates reading and writing while integrating science, social studies, and math. Congratulations, Mrs. Jackson!
2006/2007 School Year
John Yeomans, President, TBA Credit Union; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; Staci Short, teacher and grant recipient; Dale Kasza, Principal, Kalkaska High School.
Eager to provide hands on learning experiences, science teacher Staci Short will use her $500 grant to purchase supplies that will enhance the laboratory portion of the Applied Science-Forensics course being offered at Kalkaska High School. Materials purchased will be used to help students explore forensic science techniques such as ink chromatography, fingerprinting, and shoe print analysis.
Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; Diane Young, secretary; Mandy Blumenfeld, counselor; Rita Watts; John Yeomans, President, TBA Credit Union.
Building self esteem and confidence in students, Lisa Craker, 7th Grade Principal at Traverse City East Junior High, and her colleagues will be using their $500 Classroom Grant to enhance the lives of sixth and seventh grade students who come from economically challenged households. Congratulations!
John Yeomans, President, TBA Credit Union; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; John Failor, teacher and grant recipient.
John Failor, SCI-MA-TECH Director at Traverse City Central High, was recently awarded a $500 Classroom Grant. The funds will be used for the FIRST Robotics Team and will be used to purchase tools and additional parts needed to build the robot. Congratulations, John!
Jami Gray, teacher and grant recipient; Karen Browne, VP Finance, TBA Credit Union; Robin Ahart, Marketing Coordinator, TBA Credit Union; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; Larry Douglas, assistant teacher.
Students demonstrate how the new equipment works while jamming to "Funkytown"!
Looking for fun and innovative ways to encourage students to get fit, Jami Gray, Elk Rapids Middle School Physical Education teacher, decided to incorporate dance in her gym classes! Using the $350 Classroom Grant to purchase an Xbox console and Dance Revolution pads, Jami's students are now bopping their way to a healthier lifestyle!
Brian Klauer, TCAPS Montessori Director; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; Tamara Batcha, TCAPS Montessori Spanish teacher and grant recipient; John Yeomans, President, TBA Credit Union.
Tamara Batcha, TCAPS Montessori Spanish teacher, was awarded a $500 Classroom Grant on February 1, 2007. The funds will be used to support learning in their Spanish program by providing students with music, books, games, and felt boards to enhance their understanding of the language. Congratulations, Tamara!
Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; John Yeomans, President, TBA Credit Union; Robin Ahart, Marketing Coordinator, TBA Credit Union; Shar Bogard, Library Coordinator and grant recipient.
Grant recipient Shar Bogard, Library Coordinator at Glenn Loomis Elementary School, was recently awarded $500 to sponsor the school’s Poetry Café. Each April, the school converts the library into a café and gives students an opportunity to recite poetry written by them or poetry they like. During the month long event, guest poets and authors come in to encourage students to be creative in the writing process. Congratulations, Shar!
John Yeomans, President, TBA Credit Union; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; Katherine Wolterink, teacher and grant recipient; Peter Olson, Principal, Benzie Central High School.
Katherine Wolterink, ninth grade school teacher at Benzie Central High School, was recently awarded a Classroom Grant that will be used to take her students sailing on the Manitou. This exciting Great Lakes adventure will be the finale to a unit the students will study on sea-faring literature, history, and science. Congratulations!
Standing: Robin Ahart, Marketing Coordinator, TBA Credit Union; John Yeomans, President, TBA Credit Union; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency. Sitting: Judy McPhee, teacher and grant recipient.
It was with pleasure that TBA Credit Union and MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency awarded Judy McPhee, Kindergarten teacher at Old Mission Elementary School, a Classroom Grant to purchase big books for her class. These books help students learn to read and will benefit this year's class and many future classes passing through Mrs. McPhee's room!
John Yeomans, President, TBA Credit Union; Merrill Harvitt, MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency; Josh Rothwell, Teacher and Grant Recipient, Kingsley Elementary School; Karl Hartman, Principal, Kingsley Elementary.
Josh Rothwell, third grade school teacher at Kingsley Elementary School, was recently awarded the first Classroom Grant of the year! The funds will be used to take 100 students on two field trips this year to the AuSable Institute in Mancelona. Congratulations!
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