Second Grade Teacher receives $1,000 Grant from Greater Iowa Credit Union

Megan Trader was awarded a $1,000 Project Classroom grant for her second grade class at Grant Ragan Elementary School. Scott Zahnle, the CEO of Greater Iowa Credit Union, Cy, Iowa State University’s (ISU) mascot and ISU cheerleaders and were among the representatives who visited the school to present the check.

Greater Iowa Credit Union offers Project Classroom grants to K-5 teachers to help purchase items they may not otherwise be able to afford. Each year, members of the credit union from all across central Iowa write an essay or proposal about a project they want to implement into their classroom. After a review of all applicants, five teachers are selected for the grant.

As written in her proposal for the grant, Trader plans on providing a wide variety of seating choices for her students so they are comfortable enough to focus on their work. Trader plans on purchasing bicycle desks, a futon, a reading nook, and portable lap desks for her students to utilize.

“I have found that providing flexible seating options allows them to wiggle and work at the same time,” said Trader, whose students are looking forward to the bicycle desks, “They don’t have to worry about focusing all of their energy on sitting still and can instead focus on showing their learning.This grant will allow me to continue to work on reaching all students in whatever way that they learn best. ”