Behind every successful student is a dedicated teacher with a vision. Through our Scholarships and Educator Grants program, we are proud to provide the direct funding teachers need to turn innovative ideas into life-changing classroom realities.
This month, we are focusing our spotlight on two extraordinary recipients of Langley Federal Credit Union's teacher grants which cover Langley's entire service footprint, stretching from Hampton Roads and Richmond into North Carolina. While these projects target two entirely different sides of the educational ecosystem—one anchoring core academic literacy and the other fueling physical wellness and social inclusion—both are absolutely critical to building a complete, healthy, and successful student experience.
The Academic Pillar: Sparking Literacy at Banks Road Elementary School
A vital side of the educational experience is keeping students academically engaged outside of standard school hours. At Banks Road Elementary (located in Willow Springs, NC) Librarian Laura Lumb used a Langley Teacher Grant to offer reading as a fun way to fill this “track-out time gap,” and in doing so, creating a new community celebration. She leveraged her grant to engage enthusiastic local business partnerships, and they proved that literacy flourishes when reading is a fun community experience. As shown in the graphic above, this creative approach achieved incredible results:
The Physical Pillar: Leading with Inclusion at Heritage High School in Wake County, NC
Education extends far beyond textbooks; developing leadership, empathy, and physical health is just as essential to a student's growth. At Wake County’s Heritage High School in North Carolina, Jenifer Shepstead (Coach Shep) utilized her Langley Teacher Grant to champion this side of the student experience through the Physical Education Peer Education program—officially abbreviated as PEPI to emphasize the peer instruction at the heart of the course. The PEPI program is a popular year-long elective course for upperclassmen that trains students in leadership, lesson planning, and child development. Students in the PEPI program gain hands-on experience and build community connections through two primary avenues:
Physical Education Peer Education program--officially abbreviated as PEPI to emphasize the peer instruction at the heart of the course. The PEPI program is a popular year-long elective course for upperclassmen that trains students in leadership, lesson planning, and child development Students in the PEPI program gain hands-on experience and build community connections through two primary avenues:
These distinct yet equally vital classroom projects are made possible through targeted, specialized funds designed to support K-12 educators right where they are:
These grants do far more than just fund projects; they empower creative educators to spark innovation, cultivate empathy, and open doors to new possibilities for their students. By investing simultaneously in academic excellence and inclusive, holistic development, these targeted funds ensure that schools can nurture both the mind and the heart. Ultimately, when we equip teachers with the resources to address every facet of a child's growth, we aren't just transforming individual classrooms—we are building a stronger, more supportive community where every student has the opportunity to thrive.