Sioux Falls, June 14, 2017:  As our local school districts face increasing budget constraints, a growing number of teachers spend more of their own money to provide school supplies for their students.  In a recent survey conducted by SheerID, teachers in the United States spent an average of $513 on out-of-pocket classroom supplies such as instructional materials, books and professional development. 

Sioux Falls Federal Credit Union has been helping to off-set these costs since 2009 with their Adopt-A-Classroom grant program. This grant provides teachers in Lincoln, Minnehaha, McCook and Turner counties $500 to help cover necessary non-salary expenses to fund their classrooms. 

Sioux Falls Federal Credit Union invited the public to nominate any certified K through 12 classroom teacher who works in an accredited public or private school within the credit union’s service area to receive the Adopt-A-Classroom grant.  The nomination form included a brief description on how the teacher has made an impact on their life.  “We knew teachers made an impact on their students, but in reviewing all of our nomination forms, we realized all the ways our teachers create an engaging, interesting and fun classroom experience that not only benefited the student but their family,” stated Sioux Falls Federal Credit Union President/CEO Fran Sommerfeld.   

The credit union has awarded six grants in the 2017-2018 school year. Grants of $500 have been awarded directly to teachers to provide them with some of the resources necessary to cover out-of-pocket expenses.  “The teaching profession is one that demands dedication, commitment, and sacrifice.  Most teachers often go beyond the call of duty to create a stimulating, safe learning environment and to help each student succeed.  We are excited to be able to offer this program to help our teachers create an engaging, interesting, and fun classroom experience for their students” said Sommerfeld.

Danyel McFarlane (not pictured) – Lowell Elementary

Kari Hettinger – Dell Rapids Middle School

Sarah Darling – Brandon Elementary

Doyle Becker – Washington High School

Carla Diede – Harrisburg South Middle School

Cheyenne Lambley – Tri-Valley Elementary

Sioux Falls Federal Credit Union was chartered in 1934 and currently serves anyone who lives or works in Minnehaha, Lincoln, McCook and Turner counties of South Dakota. The not-for-profit cooperative has over 27,000 members with six Sioux Falls branch locations.