After a record number of applications (over 450), we are proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Greenville Federal Credit Union Foundation Teacher Grants. Each application is graded by a dedicated group of staff members using a thorough rubric. This year saw a wide breadth of proposals, from social and emotional learning to funding field trips, and everything in between. In total, 96 departments were represented districtwide, including elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, administrative officials, child development centers, and food and nutrition services. We thank each one of you for your submissions. Without further ado, the winners are:
Deborah Ezell – Blue Ridge High School – A student-run native species garden
Laura Griner – Dr. Phinnize Fisher Middle School – An all-school maker space in the library to foster creativity
Raya Martinez – Berea Middle School – An archaeology lab that will help teach history and geography
Michael Chapman – Golden Strip Career Center – AED training kits for medical students
Autumn Cline – Bell’s Crossing – The start of the Kindness Crew to help new students feel welcome
Sarah Miller – Greer High School – A set of calculators for her SPED class
Amber Ruiz – Berea High School – A clay roller for her art students’ ceramic projects
Karen Street – Northwest Crescent Child Development Center – A Gross Motor Lab to help students with physical handicaps
Molly Withington – Alexander Elementary School – Speech Manipulatives for her classroom
Mark Danielson – Paul Dunbar Child Development Center – An interactive program for students to take books home and read with their parents
Santana Saldivar – Paris Elementary School – New gym mats for her PE classes
Cora Land – Armstrong Elementary – Coding and Robotics kits for interested students
Courtney Russo – Districtwide – An audiology library for all schools, giving representation to students with special needs
Jonathan Harris – Ralph Chandler Middle School – The upkeep of musical instruments
Suzanne Terry – Wade Hampton High School – Burettes for her chemistry classes
Kaci Roper – Riverside Middle School –Technology to start a Sports Journalism class
Vincent Kaudo – Woodmont Middle School – Turning his classroom into a math-learning haven
Madeline Smith – Gateway Elementary School – Adding a light table to her classroom
Jamoi Randall – West Greenville School – Starting the F.R.E.S.H program and hygiene cart
Cameron Johnson – AJ Whittenburg Elementary School – A money modeling and entrepreneurship lab for his students
The Greenville Federal Credit Union Foundation was created out of a desire and passion to help our community and its members thrive. We accomplish this by providing grants, scholarships, and other funding for individuals, non-profits, and community-based programs, with a primary focus on youth, education, and the faculty and staff of the Greenville County School System.
This is the fifth year the foundation has awarded teacher grants. Over the grant program’s lifespan, 90 grants have been funded at almost $50,000. The inaugural year for teacher grants, only 79 applications were received. Compare that to the almost 500 applications received this year; the growth is astounding.
With each passing year, the field becomes increasingly competitive. We urge all teachers and staff to keep applying; you never know when it’ll be your year.
