"At American 1, our mission is to foster financial wellness within our communities, including supporting educators and local schools," said Haley Hemmig, Community Partnership Manager for American 1. "Teachers often spend their own hard-earned money to equip their students with the tools they need to succeed. This grant was created to ease that financial burden and provide teachers with opportunities to explore new and creative ways to engage students while teaching them valuable skills."
Since its inception in 2004, the American 1 Educational Grant program has awarded $266K in grants and scholarships to 277 teachers and students from Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Wayne, Monroe and Calhoun counties.
"We are constantly seeking new ways to invest in our community," remarked Kelly Grygiel, Vice President of Communications for American 1. "The Teacher Grant Program offers us a unique way to support education in a meaningful way.”
Additionally, the American 1 Financial Wellness Department regularly visits local schools and youth organizations to teach crucial financial skills, equipping students for long-term success and further demonstrating American 1’s dedication to education.
The recipients of the American 1 Teacher Grants are:
· Amanda Grabowski, Addison Elementary School
· Lexus Baxendale, Battle Creek Central High School
· Tina Slater, Onsted Elementary School
· Taylor Hopp-Lee, Bishop Elementary School
· Lilly Rockwell, Concord Elementary School
· Marnie Hade, Northwest High School
· Dawn Miller, East Jackson Elementary and Secondary School
· Janessa Olack, Paddock Elementary School
· Amanda Belle Mann, Owen High School
· Missi Lyn Hines, Northeast Elementary School
Established in 1950, American 1 Credit Union serves over 65,000 members, including more than 270 employees, with 17 branch locations across Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Wayne, Monroe and Calhoun counties. American 1, recipient of the Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union Award for 2023, is proud to serve the members of its communities by creating financial wellness through personal everyday banking.