Lake Michigan Credit Union Announces 2023 Roots in Education Grant Winners

Grand Rapids, MI. (May 10, 2023) –Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2023 Roots in Education grant. Each year, this program accepts nominations of teachers across Michigan and Florida who embody a specific trait. This year, the program celebrated teachers who are caring.

Active pre-K through 12th grade classroom teachers in Michigan and Florida were nominated for the Roots in Education grant by students, parents, fellow teachers or peers, community members, and administrators. Of the nominees, 25 winners have each been awarded a $1,000 grant. The grant can be used to purchase classroom supplies, certifications, or anything else that benefits the educational process.

While this year’s nominated teachers were all deserving of a grant, the 25 recipients selected for the 2023 grants include:

Sarah Anderson | Comstock Park High School | Comstock Park, MI

Aaron Daldos |Godwin Heights High School | Wyoming, MI

Ashley Dickinson | Grandville East Elementary | Grandville, MI

Elisabeth Ebisawa | Center for Advanced Studies and the Arts | Oak Park, MI

Joshua Etheridge | Hartland High School | Hartland, MI

Ariel Frey | Stepping Stones Montessori School | Grand Rapids, MI

Keegan Goalen | Sandy Hill Elementary | Jenison, MI

Joe Herrick | Hamilton Community Schools | Hamilton, MI

Shannon Irish | Portage Northern High School – KRESA Autism Classroom | Portage, MI

Amy Jacobs | Grandville Middle School | Grandville, MI

Howard Lord | Azalea Middle School | St. Petersburg, FL

Lisa Mulder | Holmes Elementary | Spring Lake, MI

Julie Oosterink | Jenison High School | Jenison, MI

Julie Paschen | Barry County Christian School | Hastings, MI

Kelli Pfefferman | Learn N' Grow | Otsego, MI

Nicole Porada | West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science | Grand Rapids, MI

Jillian Porterfield | Avondale GATE Magnet School | Rochester Hills, MI

Maria Rose | Edison Park Elementary School | Fort Myers, FL

Meagen Russ | Jenison Public School – Outdoor Kindergarten | Hudsonville, MI

Marney Ryan | Lakeview Elementary School | Lakeview, MI

Katie Sleeper | Huntington Woods Early Childhood Center | Wyoming, MI

Tammie Thompson | Griffin Elementary | Grand Haven, MI

Ovie Trevino | TSN Middle School | Saint Louis, MI

Jenny van Biljon | Sandy Hill Elementary | Jenison, MI

Kathy Vogel | Crossroads Middle School | Grand Rapids, MI

LMCU Vice President of Community Relations Matt Cook extends his congratulations to the 2023 Roots in Education grant winners.

“The impact these caring educators have on the lives of their students and within their community are truly exceptional,” Cook said. “Teaching is a demanding profession, and the way these teachers go above and beyond to ensure each student has the care they need to excel is inspiring.

“The educators selected challenge their students and empower them to excel and be their true selves. We are thrilled to be able to help these 25 teachers further motivate and engage with their students. Thank you to every teacher nominated, and everyone who took the time to nominate an excellent educator.”

For more information on LMCU’s Roots in Education grant, visit LMCU.org/TeacherGrant.

Lake Michigan Credit Union, established in 1933, is the largest credit union in Michigan and 15^th largest in the country. Employing a staff of over 1,600 and serving over 560,000 members, LMCU's assets exceed $12 billion, with a mortgage servicing portfolio of over $14.3 billion. LMCU has 68 convenient branch locations overall, including 20 across Central and Southwest Florida. LMCU members have access to over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs worldwide. LMCU provides a full range of financial services, from high interest-bearing checking accounts to personal loans, mortgages, investments, and commercial banking.

To find out more, visit LMCU.org.

Media Contact:

Matt Cook

Vice President of Community Relations

(616) 234-6618

Matt.Cook@LMCU.org