FREEHOLD, N.J.–First Financial Credit Union and its First Financial Foundation have helped several local schools.
Manalapan Englishtown Middle School seventh grade social studies teacher, Karryne MacLean, was surprised by members of the First Financial Foundationwith an Erma Dorrer classroom grant for the 2018-2019 school year.
MacLean submitted a grant application to purchase the My Classroom Economy program. The program is designed to teach students financial responsibility in an engaging and fun way. My Classroom Economy will help students take part in a simulation of a real-world economic activity, learn the value of a paycheck, learn how to budget spending, pay bills, and balance bank accounts, discover the importance of saving money, and find out about paying taxes to the federal and state government.
“My students are what many middle schoolers are – always asking, Why do I need to learn this?” said MacLean. “They want to learn something they can use, something that matters. They are very bright and passionate. With this program, students will learn about economics and will take these skills with them to become successful adults. They will come to appreciate the value of a dollar and see the impact of saving and spending money wisely.”
Added First Financial President and CEO Issa Stephan, “Education has and always will be a pivotal piece of our organization, and we’re delighted to be able to help our local educators enhance their classroom experience.”
Stephan further noted the Foundation committee had a tough job of choosing just six winning teachers out of the numerous applications received this year.
“We received dozens of heartwarming essays from educators hoping to use the grant money to implement or maintain a variety of creative programs in their schools such as flexible seating, virtual reality glasses, book stands and shelving, new classroom cabinets, and interactive books and games - to name a few,” said Stephan. “We wish we were able to reward each and every one of our participants, and after extremely careful consideration we selected the six classrooms in which we felt the grant money would have the largest impact.”
Separately, Bradley Beach Elementary School social worker and anti-bullying specialist, Alison Zylinski, was surprised by members of the First Financial Foundationwith an Erma Dorrer classroom grant for the 2018-2019 school year.
Zylinski submitted a grant application to purchase supplies to create vinyl inspirational messages to promote students’ actions of kindness, respect, empowerment, and positive self-esteem on a daily basis.
“It is my responsibility to improve school climate and culture,” said Zylinski. “This year, every class in our K-8 school will engage in a 20 minute morning meeting, where the focus is to develop a sense of connection among students, work on social-emotional skills, and improve each classroom’s overall culture and climate. Creating inspirational messages would be a fantastic environmental change for our school.”
Below, Bradley Beach Elementary School Principal and Superintendent Dr. Wisniewski and Alison Zylinski.