Caneview Elementary first-grader Austyn Boutte receives some reading tips from his teacher Jennifer Pusateri. Pusateri was a recipient of a Meritus Credit Union grant last school year, one that supplied reading materials as well as a butterfly garden for her class. 

T

eche Area teachers embarking on a new school year are all too familiar with the idea of spending their own money to provide an enhanced experience for their students.

Meritus Credit Union has come to the aid of several teachers across the region by providing $250 grants for teachers who apply and qualify for assistance.

“Meritus is currently accepting applications for teacher grants, and teachers from any school in Iberia Parish can apply,” Meritus Credit Union Marketing Supervisor  Angela M. Morrison said. “Five $250 grants, one in each parish that it serves, will be given out each month from September 2018 to April 2019,” Morrison said.

Caneview Elementary School first-grade teacher Jennifer Pusateri knows first-hand what an extra $250 can mean to a class full of exploring young minds. She was a recipient of the grant last school year.

Pusateri used the money to give her students the chance to experience a butterfly garden.

“I used the money to buy a butterfly farm for my kids,” Pusateri said. 

“We got a cup filled with caterpillars and then they hatched into butterflies. I also bought a bunch of AR (Accelerated Reading) books for reading they loved it,” she said.

Morrison said Meritus granted a total of $11,250 during the 2017-2018 school year.

“We had a very good response and each month we were able to grant funds to teachers who know how to make a dollar stretch, doing some very creative things to enhance learning, or simply getting tools needed to help their students succeed, Morrison said.

Grant applications are offered in Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin and Vermilion parishes.

“I would encourage everyone to apply,” Pusateri said. 

“You can apply every month (but) you can only win once each school year. I had never heard of it before but then I applied and received it and in a couple of weeks they showed up with the check,” Pusateri said.

The first-grade teacher said the application process was easy and something many teachers can make good use of. 

“People probably have no idea,” Pusateri said. 

“As a teacher we spend a lot of money on supplies and materials when kids come without  them we know it’s  not their fault and it can get pretty pricey,” she said.

Meritus said there have been stories shared about how teachers have been able to use the extra money.

“From heating pads for ag projects, butterfly farms, shading for playgrounds to earphones/microphone devices and additional reading materials,” Morrison said.  

“All of the submitted applications were very enlightening on what teachers are doing each day to make learning fun and achievable.”

Teachers interested in applying for the Meritus Credit Union grant should act right away.

“We are accepting applications now and will consider applications that are submitted by the last day of each month to be awarded the following month,” Morrison said. 

 To complete an application, visit the Meritus website, https://www.merituscu.net/about/teacher-grants.html.