GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Lake Michigan Credit Union (“LMCU”) is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2021 Roots in Education grant. Each year, this program accepts nominations of teachers across Michigan and Florida who embody a specific word; this year’s word was innovation. Of the nominees, 25 winners are each awarded a $1,000 grant. The grant can be used to help teachers purchase classroom supplies, aid in online learning, or anything else that benefits the educational process.
Throughout September 2021, over 300 active pre-K through 12th grade classroom teachers in Michigan and Florida were nominated for the Roots in Education grant by students, parents, other teachers, community members, or administrators.
While this year’s nominated teachers were all deserving of this grant, the 25 selected recipients for the 2021 grants include:
Brad Anderson | Forest Hills Central High School | Grand Rapids, MI
Michael Ball | Galesburg-Augusta Primary School | Galesburg, MI
Katlyn Boomstra | J.A. Lanigan Elementary School | Farmington Hills, MI
Brynn Curry | Stepping Stones Montessori School | Grand Rapids, MI
Audrey Debri | Cedar Trails Elementary | Cedar Springs, MI
Steve Ford | Kalkaska High School | Kalkaska, MI
Mary Hall | Suttons Bay Public Schools | Suttons Bay, MI
Hannah Henrichsen | River Valley Elementary | Three Oaks, MI
Olivia Johnson | Lowell High school | Lowell, MI
Shannon Kemperman | Meadow Brook Elementary | Grand Rapids, MI
Sheri Manett | Buchanan Elementary School | Grand Rapids, MI
Christy Manker | Countryside Elementary School | Byron Center, MI
Patrick McKerr | East Kentwood Freshman Campus | Kentwood, MI
Beth Monaweck | Twin Lake Elementary | Twin Lake, MI
Patricia Reeder | Godwin Heights High School | Grand Rapids, MI
Rebecca Richardson | The Community School of Naples | Naples, FL
James Rose | Ray V. Pottorf Elementary | Fort Myers, FL
Heather Sherwood | Montcalm Area Career Center | Sidney, MI
Danielle Snoeyink | Rose Park Elementary School | Holland, MI
Emily Straub | McFall Elementary | Middleville, MI
Charity Troutt | Meadow Brook Elementary School | Rochester, MI
Julie VanderEnde | Mattawan Early Elementary | Mattawan, MI
Spencer Vanderheide | Kenowa Hills High School | Grand Rapids, MI
Jessica Vitale | Suttons Bay Public Schools | Suttons Bay, MI
Allison Westra | Muskegon Christian School | Muskegon, MI
LMCU’s Vice President of Community Relations, Matt Cook, extends his congratulations to this year’s winners: “I am so impressed with and inspired by the Roots in Education grant recipients this year. 2020 and 2021 brought new challenges to educators everywhere. These individuals used those challenges as a springboard to innovate how they teach and engage with their students. It’s a privilege for LMCU to help support the educators in our community. I want to thank every teacher who was nominated and everyone who nominated them for sharing their story with us.”
LMCU is proud to support and recognize our local teachers.
Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) is the largest credit union in Michigan. Employing a staff of over 1,500, LMCU’s assets exceed $10.5 billion, with a mortgage servicing portfolio of over $11 billion and over 504,000 members. LMCU has 57 convenient branch locations overall, including 12 in 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.