Elizabethton, TN - Stephanie Grindstaff, Loan Manager for Northeast Community Credit Union presents the Helping Teachers Teach grant check to Lauren McInturff, librarian at Happy Valley Elementary School.

McInturff applied for the Helping Teachers Teach grant to help bring the Give Me5! Program from Hands On! Discovery Center to Headstart through First Grade Happy Valley Elementary School students.

“This is the perfect way to add fun and educational activities and experiments to Happy Valley Elementary,” McInturff said. “I want to bring the wonder of experimenting and playing to the classroom, if only for one day. This will allow Hands On! to bring a unique learning experience to the students that I would be unable to provide on my own.”

The outreach program will bring the educational activities of the Hands On! Discovery Center to the school for the students to enjoy. The activities will focus on engaging each of the five senses. Students can complete the jelly bean challenge, view optical illusions or experience the mystery touch box.

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 that are members of Northeast Community Credit Union. Area teachers may become members at any NCCU location and can download the grant application at the credit union’s website:  www.BeMyCU.org.

Pictured are: Lauren McInturff, Happy Valley Elementary Librarian; Brody McInturff; and Stephanie Grindstaff, Loan Manager, Northeast Community Credit Union