Escondido Teacher Gets Grant From North Island Credit Union Foundation

ESCONDIDO, CA — North Island Credit Union Foundation has awarded grants to 10 teachers in San Diego County, including an Escondido teacher, to support innovative learning opportunities.

The $500 grants through the foundation's Spring 2024 Teacher Grant program will support a variety of class projects in the San Diego region, including creating a folk art program, launching a solar desalination project, and starting a market for third-grade entrepreneurs.

"Supporting education is a key focus of North Island Credit Union Foundation's mission and we're excited to support these teachers as they work to engage and inspire their students in new and creative ways," North Island Credit Union Foundation President Marvel Ford said in a statement. "We hope these grants encourage our local educators to pursue innovative projects that spark a new passion in their students, which can make a life-long difference."

Since the creation of the program in 2012, North Island Credit Union and its foundation have awarded $195,000 in teacher grants, according to the organization. As many as 20 grants are awarded bi-annually in the spring and fall.

These are the spring 2024 grant recipients:

• Jamie Cozens, Pacific Rim Elementary School, Carlsbad
• Julie Kusiak, Ocean Knoll Elementary School, Encinitas
• Brooke Hermann, Limitless Learning Academy, Escondido
• LCDR John Bannon, USCG ret., Mission Bay High School, San Diego
• Paul Chen, Pacific Beach Middle School, San Diego
• Pedro Contreras, Los Altos Elementary School, San Diego
• Mackenzie Levine, Perry Elementary School, San Diego
• Olivia Paolinetti, Silver Wing Elementary School, San Diego
• Nimesh Shah, Park Village Elementary School, San Diego
• Matthew Leader, High Tech High School, San Marcos