Chris Cook latest HTT winner

Chris Cook, music teacher at Unaka Elementary, is the latest Northeast Community Credit Union Helping Teachers Teach grant winner.

Cook applied for the Helping Teachers Teach to purchase musical instruments, specifically recorders, for her fourth- and fifth-grade students. Because of current safety protocols, each student is required to have his/her own instrument.

“Learning how to play a recorder with other classmates develops teamwork, discipline and musical skills such as reading notes on the staff and counting rhythms,” Cook said. “Students then have the option to build on their skills with the high school band, both after school and during music classes. Just like learning to ride a bike, playing a musical instrument is a lifetime skill and source of enjoyment.”

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.