California Credit Union Foundation Awards Grants To Local Teachers For Innovative Classroom Projects

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Jun 09, 2026, 11:42 ET

GLENDALE, Calif., June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From STEM-based water rocket experiments to ASL learning programs and aerial drone workshops, California Credit Union Foundation is helping bring innovative classroom ideas to life through its Spring 2026 Teacher Grant program.

As part of its ongoing support for education, the Foundation awarded 18 grants to fund classroom projects in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Since launching the program in 2012, more than $235,000 has been given to support creative, hands-on learning initiatives led by local educators.

L/R: South Gate’s Willow Elementary School Principal Pedro Jimenez, Teacher Grant Recipient Maria Salazar, and Instructional Aide Adriana Carreno receive a California Credit Union Foundation Teacher Grant from California Credit Union VP School & Community Development Gloria Rogers. The grant will provide live caterpillar sets for TK–first grade classrooms, giving students a hands-on opportunity to observe the butterfly life cycle and release the butterflies into the school garden.

"What makes this program so meaningful is the creativity and intention behind each of these projects," said California Credit Union Foundation President Marvel Ford. "From hands-on STEM experiences to programs that build connection and inclusion, these teachers are finding new ways to engage their students and bring learning to life. We're proud to support their ideas and the lasting impact they have in the classroom."

The Spring 2026 Teacher Grant recipients include educators from a wide range of schools and grade levels, each bringing a unique project to their classroom:

Grant Recipient	School	Project Name	City
Denise Anderson	Compton High School	Special Education Transition	Compton
Kelly Bergin	Broad Avenue Elementary School	Once Upon A Classroom Library	Wilmington
Veronica Bonilla	Coldwater Canyon Elementary School	Readers Today, Leaders Tomorrow	North Hollywood
Brenda Corona	Toluca Lake Elementary School	The Comfy Classroom Collective	North Hollywood
Marine Davtyan	Benjamin Franklin High School	Attendance Matters	Highland Park
Talia Dotson	Eastside High School	Regenerative Futures	Lancaster
Monika Duque	Rosewood STEM Magnet, Urban Planning & Urban Design	Home Connection Backpacks	Los Angeles
Brenda Enciso	Venice High School	From Classroom to Career: Building Real-World Skills for Students with Disabilities	Los Angeles
Juan Gomez	Marshall High School	Sports Medicine Gallery Walk	Los Angeles
Lourdes Jovel	San Jose Street Elementary School	Westward Expansion	Mission Hills
Jennifer King	Girls Academic Leadership Academy	Ancestry Watercolor	Los Angeles
Sonia Mohamad	Alta Loma Elementary & Spanish Dual Language Academy	Fleece Tie Blanket	Los Angeles
Naira Panasyan	Northridge Academy High School	History Museum Night	Northridge
Felix Quiñonez	Glenfeliz Boulevard Elementary School	Anxiety Reducing Program	Los Angeles
Maria Salazar	Willow Elementary School	Butterfly Life Cycle Projects	South Gate
Loren Scott	Mark Twain Middle School	Rock It with Rockets!	Los Angeles
Nicole Walker	Carlson Home Hospital School	ASL Learning Project	North Hollywood
Ricardo Williams	Arroyo Valley High School	Aerial Drone Workshop	San Bernardino

Through programs like the Teacher Grant initiative, California Credit Union Foundation continues to support educators and expand opportunities for students across the communities it serves.

About California Credit Union Foundation
California Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that serves as the philanthropic arm of California Credit Union. California Credit Union is a federally chartered full-service credit union founded in 1933 with assets of nearly $5.4 billion, over 200,000 members and 25 retail branches. Named a Forbes Best-In-State Credit Union in 2024 & 2025, California Credit Union membership is available to community members and businesses nationwide. The Foundation works to strengthen the financial well-being of our communities by providing targeted resources to non-profit partners creating meaningful change across the credit union's service areas. California Credit Union funds all administrative costs of the Foundation, enabling it to return 100% of donations back into community programs. California Federal Credit Union operates as California Credit Union. Please visit ccu.com/foundation to learn more or make a tax-deductible donation, or follow the Foundation on Instagram® @ccufoundation.

SOURCE California Credit Union