Lisa McGinnis, counselor at Unaka High School, is the latest Northeast Community Credit Union Helping Teacher’s Teach grant winner.

McGinnis used the grant to purchase an industrial fan to use in the Unaka High School gymnasium during class time and extra-curricular activities. The gym does not have air conditioning and the windows cannot be opened because birds, bugs and other wildlife will enter the building.

“During the day when classes are going on, the only fresh air that could come in would be from opening the main doors into our hallway,” McGinnis said. “However, due to security, these doors must remain closed at all times when students are present. With no air movement, the gym has unbearable temperatures for students. No student wants to be in a class that causes sweat to drop from their heads and to begin their day with a bad feeling about themselves.”

Northeast Community Credit Union awards $300 every month to a classroom to be utilized for classroom needs, classroom activities, and academic enrichment. Helping Teachers Teach is open to teachers within Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, Sullivan and Washington counties who are members of Northeast Community Credit Union. Area teachers may become members online or at any NCCU location and can download the grant application on the credit union’s website: www.BeMyCU.org.

Anna Densford, kindergarten teacher at Doe Elementary, is the latest Northeast Community Credit Union Helping Teacher’s Teach grant winner.

Densford used the grant to purchase supplies for the school’s kindergarten graduation program. Each family will be given a graduation ticket and a commemorative photo of their child and each student will be given a T-shirt.

“This will create a positive experience that will celebrate their hard work throughout the school year,” Densford said. “It is a reward for all of our students during this extremely difficult school year.”

Northeast Community Credit Union awards $300 every month to a classroom to be utilized for classroom needs, classroom activities, and academic enrichment.  Helping Teachers Teach is open to teachers within Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, Sullivan and Washington counties who are members of Northeast Community Credit Union. Area teachers may become members online or at any NCCU location and can download the grant application on the credit union’s website:  www.BeMyCU.org.

We enjoyed working with the UT Extension Office staff at Happy Valley High School this week.

This ‘Real Life’ Simulation includes coaching teens through choosing careers, buying cars, finding homes, and how to handle those annoying ’curveballs’ life throws at us.

Thanks for having us, Emily Barton – it’s always an interesting (and fun!) experience!