Twenty Three MD and DC Teachers TAP Into Grant Money from FedChoice Charitable Foundation

LANHAM, MD (February 13, 2024) — On Tuesday, January 30, the FedChoice Charitable Foundation hosted winners of its Fall 2023 Grant Cycle Teachers’ Aid Program (TAP) awards at FedChoice FCU Headquarters. TAP provides $250 educator grants for K-12 teachers of math, business, economics, or general elementary education to be used for any direct classroom expenses to help students thrive. 

The Fall 2023 Grant Cycle winners include 23 teachers from the following schools:

Beltsville Academy, Oxon Hill, MD
Asenath Joy Bradley, Kindergarten Teacher

Cora L. Rice Elementary School, Landover, MD
ReGina Branch, Technology/Computers Teacher
Taylor Cook, Special Education Teacher
Karina Juarez, Parent Engagement Assistant
Carmen Latorre-Perez, General Music Teacher
Sherri Paden, First Grade Teacher
Andrea Rivers, Reading Teacher
Iman Willis, Art Teacher
Cassandra L Wilkins, Math Teacher
Kevin Wilkinson, Fifth Grade Science Teacher

Fairmont Heights High School, Landover, MD
Tameka Henson, Entrepreneurship Club

Frances Fuchs Early Childhood Center, Beltsville, MD
Emma Mateo, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Oaklands Elementary School, Laurel, MD
Samantha Bardoe, Prekindergarten Teacher
Yasmin Bey, Third Grade Science, Social Studies and Health Teacher
Brenda Chambers, First Grade Teacher
Kiara Cornelius, First Grade Teacher
Catherine Claros Cruz, Kindergarten Teacher
Katie (Mary C) Gorman, Vocal/General Music Pre-K-5 Teacher
Tara McGowan, Kindergarten Teacher
Stefanie Moscati, Elementary School Teacher
Damyrah Mumford, All Subjects Teacher
Tina Sonde, Kindergarten Teacher 

School Without Walls at Francis Stevens, Washington, DC
Joseph Gibbons, Special Education Teacher

Opening the TAP Award Ceremony, Brett Noll, FedChoice Charitable Foundation Chair, gave an inspiring presentation about the impact of our foundation’s work in local underserved communities and the importance of supporting teachers. Recognizing the teachers, Noll said, “We are so grateful for your efforts to help young people succeed. We are keenly aware that many if not all of you dip into your own pockets to educate your students or provide much needed supplies. We hope this program helps support you in the incredible work you do and maybe even level the playing field for many.” Marie Biabo, Cora L. Rice Elementary School’s teacher and a recipient of last year’s award, shared how the grant helped her build a small library to improve reading classes and make a difference for her students.

The teachers were thrilled about their awards. Asenath Joy Bradley, a Kindergarten Teacher at Beltsville Academy, expressed her enthusiasm, stating that the grant will empower her to craft more engaging and personalized lessons for students with diverse learning needs. Emma Mateo, a Prekindergarten teacher at Frances Fuchs Early Education Center, plans to leverage the grant to procure tactile learning materials for students grappling with various learning challenges. Iman Willis, an Art Teacher at Cora L. Rice Elementary School, intends to channel the funds towards her innovative identity project, articulating her vision as, “I aspire for them to portray their outward self-image.” Katie Gorman, a Vocal/General Music Teacher from Oaklands Elementary School, plans to purchase a xylophone or metallophone for her class. She stated, “This grant will serve as a catalyst, transforming this aspiration into a tangible reality for my students.”

FedChoice Charitable Foundation partners with public, charter and private schools in the Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia area to provide teachers with small grants to help offset the cost of supplies and classroom materials. We want to encourage more teachers to apply for the next grant cycle this fall. The information will be available on our website: www.fedchoicegives.org