Since 1932, Firstmark has been a passionate champion of the education community. Education is ingrained in our roots, our membership, and our commitment to our communities. We were chartered as the San Antonio Teachers Credit Union by and for school employees.
Because our school employees make many personal sacrifices and investments in their scholars’ needs, it is our privilege to offer Firstmark Education Grants to eligible members. For the 2021-2022 school year, Firstmark distributed $7,500 among 15 grant recipients across eight Bexar County school districts.
In 2022-2023, we will award 20 $1,000 Education Grants.
Qualification Criteria
To qualify, you must be a Firstmark Credit Union member and hold a position in education where you interact with students directly (i.e., classroom teacher, librarian, counselor, child nutrition staff, custodial staff, campus social worker, transportation staff). Not a member, yet? We invite you to join Firstmark today!
Application Process
- Describe your project idea
- State your goals for your project
- Describe how you will measure project success
- Submit your application online
- If selected, a Grant Agreement Form will need to be signed.
- Online applications available: September 1 through October 23, 2022
- Grant Application Review & Awardee Selection: Fall 2022
The Firstmark Foundation is pleased to announce the 15 recipients of the 2021-2022 Education Grant program. Firstmark Education Grants are for full-time, K-12 educators and support staff. Grants are awarded to fund innovative project ideas, including the materials necessary to successfully carry out the project. To date, Firstmark Credit Union has awarded over $70,000 in support of educators and their students.
“School district employees are facing incredible challenges to engage students in traditional and online learning environments,” said Marisa Perez-Diaz, executive director of the Firstmark Foundation. “We are honored to support these inspiring individuals to bring their vision of advanced student learning to fruition. As a credit union for teachers and all school system employees, we congratulate our grant winners and look forward to seeing their projects and programs implemented later this spring.”
This year’s funds will support a variety of projects, including the purchase of flexible seating to accommodate students of all abilities, high-interest books for struggling readers, materials to support social and emotional learning and sensory exploration resources to encourage students to use scientific processes while they create, play, and explore.
2021-2022 Education Grant Winners
East Central ISD | Josephine Martinez – Project Idea: Cool as Heck — with My Playaway ’round the Neck
Edgewood ISD | David Walker – Project Idea: Flexible seating
Judson ISD | Monica Cortez – Project Idea: Let’s Bring the Learning Outdoors
North East ISD | Michelle Waters – Project Idea: Simply Reading
Northside ISD | Carey McCarthy – Project Idea: Breaking News
Northside ISD | Dillon Gatian – Project Idea: Living History
Northside ISD | Erica Huerta – Project Idea: Building Leaders in Readers
Northside ISD | John M. Kliewer – Homebound Hospital Program, NISD | Classroom Project Idea: Homebound Haptics
Northside ISD | Juanita Tucker – Project Idea: SEL Peace Corner in all classrooms and public student areas
Northside ISD | Lauren Sanchez – Project Idea: Sensory Exploration Learning
Northside ISD | Michael Byrnes – Project Idea: Free Desk Project
Northside ISD | Rebecca Folds – Project Idea: Social and Emotional Learning
San Antonio ISD | Marcella Gutierrez – Project Idea: Steamy Hot Glass
South Side ISD | Tonya Bartlett – Project Idea: High Interest/Low Level Class Library
Southwest ISD | Cynthia Cuellar – Project Idea: Little Seeds Of Hope
All applications will be reviewed by the Firstmark Education Grant Committee. If selected to receive a Firstmark Education Grant of $1,000, the recipient will commit to using the funds for the proposed project. Further, the recipient understands that if selected, a Firstmark representative will coordinate a date and time for the grant presentation (which includes photography). The recipient acknowledges and agrees to the use of my name, photos, and project ideas by Firstmark Credit Union and its affiliate Foundation for the purposes of website, newsletter, social media, and other marketing channels in recognition of this award and the ongoing member-supported work of the Foundation.
NOTE: A total of 20 grants will be awarded over the 2022-2023 school year. Grant recipients from previous school years are eligible to apply. You may only receive one grant during the school year.