13 Maui Teachers Awarded Grants to Purchase Classroom Supplies

Hawaiʻi State FCU announced today that it has awarded more than $40,000 in grants to Hawaiʻi public school teachers through its 2019 Investing in Education grant program.

A total of 89 grants were distributed to public school teachers across Oʻahu, Maui, Lānaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island to help purchase classroom supplies and enhance student curriculums.

The 13 grant recipients in Maui County include:

• Leilani Abafo, Maui High School
• Tai Baird, Pāʻia Elementary School
• Tricia Calhoon, Lahaina Intermediate School
• Leanne Dunn, Makawao Elementary School
• Jen Fordyce, Hawaiʻi Technology Academy – Wailuku Campus
• Maile Getzen, Kīhei Charter High School
• Matthew Obrien, Lahainaluna High School
• Heidi Mathison, Maui High School
• Erin Nakanom, Lānaʻi High and Elementary School
• Dawn Shirota,King Kekaulike High School Alternative Learning Opportunities Program
• Amanda Shim, Kula Elementary School
• Wileen Robson, Pu‘u Kukui Elementary School
• Abigale Prock, Ha‘ikū Elementary School

For a full list of awardees please, click here.

Applicants were asked to submit an essay stating the needs of their classrooms and how the funds will improve student learning. This year, a third of the requests were for STEM related projects, including robotics kits for clubs and competitions, as well as supplies to enhance science and math curriculums. Other requests ranged from materials to encourage more interactive learning opportunities for Special Education students, new books to create more diverse and robust student libraries, as well as instruments and new technology for music and digital media courses.

Grants were distributed statewide, with about 30 percent going to Leeward Oʻahu-area school teachers and nearly 20 percent going to Neighbor Island teachers located on Maui, Lānaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island.

Hawaiʻi State FCU’s Investing in Education grant program has been funding Hawaiʻi’s classrooms since 2009 and has dispersed more than 600 grants with a total value of more than $275,000. Additionally, Hawaiʻi State FCU’s Lowell Kalapa Scholarship Program has awarded more than $700,000 over the past 23 years to help students attend universities, colleges and trade schools in Hawaiʻi and on the mainland.

“Hawaiʻi State FCU’s Investing in Education grant program supports teachers by providing basic school supplies as well as providing new technology and educational tools,” said Andrew Rosen, president and CEO of Hawaiʻi State FCU. “Over the last decade, we’ve seen the need for supplies expand from books and smart boards to include interactive learning tools and kits for robotics competitions. We’re proud to continue our support for these selfless teachers and the academic success of our students.”

Maui High School. Photo by Wendy Osher.