Long Island teachers win appreciation award grants

Five Long Island teachers are among the winners of the Teachers Federal Credit Union’s third annual Teacher Appreciation Week Contest.

The competition, which honors educators across the country who have made outstanding academic contributions to their communities, drew nominations from across 45 states, with 18 finalists selected by a group of panelists.

The Long Island winners of $2,500 classroom grants include Osvaldo Juarez Fuentes, a music teacher in several elementary schools in the Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District; Sarah DeVita, an English and ENL teacher at East Middle School in Brentwood; and Christopher Toomey, who directs the marching band and teaches college-level and AP music theory classes at Mineola High School.

Long Island winners of $1,500 classroom grants are Samantha Rodriguez, who teaches at Greenport Elementary School and Glen Kubik, who teaches at East Northport Middle School.

“Teachers work tirelessly every day to inspire, encourage, and challenge their students to make a difference in the world,” Brad Calhoun, president and CEO of Teachers Federal Credit Union, said in a written statement. “As a credit union that was founded by educators and has grown to serve members across the nation, we’re acutely aware of the impact teachers have on our communities, and are proud to recognize their contributions through these classroom grants.” 

For more information on this year’s contest and winners visit: teachersfcu.org/teachercontest