CREDIT UNION OF AMERICA
WICHITA, Kan. — Credit Union of America (CUA) has awarded $50,100 in Teach, Grow, and Inspire the Future (TGIF) grants to 54 Kansas educators, helping fund classroom projects that will bring new learning opportunities to students across the state.
The spring 2026 grants will support educator-led projects focused on literacy, STEM, music, art, career readiness, sensory learning, and more. Each project was proposed by a Kansas educator with a specific goal to strengthen learning, increase engagement, or create meaningful classroom experiences for students.
The spring application period drew 125 proposals from educators across Kansas. Recipients were selected through an anonymous review process conducted by a panel of CUA employees and retired educators.
Since TGIF launched in 2000, CUA has awarded grants to 1,228 Kansas teachers and contributed more than $655,000 to support classroom projects, supplies, and educational experiences. The program reflects CUA’s long-standing connection to education and its continued commitment to giving back in ways that benefit Kansas students, teachers, and communities.
Here is a list of the 2026 TGIF Grant Recipients in the Hutch Post coverage area.
Jalaynna Leonhardt, Books After the Bell, Haven Grade School, Haven
Halle Rico, Field Day, Lincoln McCandless Elementary School, Hutchinson
Brandi McWilliams, Writing to Learn - Strengthening Literacy Through K-5 Writing Instruction, McPherson USD 418, McPherson
Jeffrey Poort, Band Instrument Repair Kit, Pratt High School, Pratt
Diane House, Indoor Recess Rolling Cart of Fun, Skyline Elementary School, Pratt
Joyce Temanson, Listening Center, Skyline Elementary School, Pratt
Anita DeWeese, Advancing STEM Learning Through Food Science, Skyline High School, Pratt
Oakley Stephens, Little Listeners Literacy Lounge, Southwest Elementary School, Pratt
Nicole Ferguson, Increasing Engagement in 5th and 6th Grade, R.L. Wright Elementary School, Sedgwick
Cheri Haskett, Conversation Cart - Building Positive School Culture One Interaction at a Time, Stafford High School, Stafford