A trip to the Saint Louis Zoo, science field trips, and take-home books for students are just a few of the ways students have benefited from a Missouri NEA (MNEA)-Retired grants program, called Caring Help for Education Endeavors by Retirees (CHEER).
The CHEER Fund got its start back in 2013, when MNEA-Retired received a surprise donation. They decided to use the windfall to award $250 grants to MNEA teachers in support of their classroom work.
Today, thanks to the generosity of MNEA-Retired members, the grants have increased to $400 each.
“Since the inception of the CHEER Fund, we have approved 90 grants and awarded $24,407.34,” says the program’s chair, Janet Leachman.
Over the years, CHEER grants have provided school supplies for a first-year kindergarten teacher; replaced teaching materials lost in a fire; and helped create a classroom calming corner for students, among many other supports.
Former CHEER Fund board member Jo Wanda Bozeman continues to help teachers apply for grants. Recently, she supported a middle school music teacher in obtaining funds to build a wall organizer for percussion instruments.
“It’s one of the ways that I can give back,” Bozeman says. “No one turns down money, especially teachers, when they can get things to help enhance teaching and learning.”
—JELINDA MONTES
Announcing the 2024 NEA-Retired Communications Awards!
Every year, the NEA-Retired Executive Council Communications Committee recognizes NEA-Retired affiliates for outstanding communications work in the following categories:
- Established State Retired Newsletter (Published more than three years)
- State Retired Newsletter (Published fewer than three years)
- Established Local Retired Newsletter
- E-Newsletter
- State Retired Website
- NEA-Retired Spotlight Award (State active newsletter/magazine covering NEA-Retired issues)
- Newsletter Hall of Fame
To apply, visit nea.org/RAM and scroll down to Communications Awards. Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2024.
NEA-Retired Membership Awards
The winners of this year’s NEA-Retired Membership Awards were announced at the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting, in June. The Retired state groups with the largest membership gains were the Pennsylvania State Education Association-Retired (1,181 new members) and Education Minnesota Retired (8.7 percent increase). This year’s runners-up were the California Teachers Association/NEA-Retired (1,047 new members) and Kentucky Education Association-Retired (5.4 percent increase).
The “Spirit of Membership Award,” now in its second year, honors a state affiliate that developed an innovative program while building membership. This year’s winner, the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association, in New Jersey, established a grants program to help teachers provide for their students needs.
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