Since 1999, Assistance League® of Diablo Valley’s Scholarships program has provided financial and emotional support to high school, community college, university students and returnees to the academic community. Scholarships co-chair Cindi Segale reminds us that another area awards teacher projects, each granted according to subject areas that align with California’s Common Core State Standards. In 2020, Teacher Support recipients included ten teachers from Mt. Diablo Unified School District and five teachers from Pittsburg Unified School District for a total donation of $6,448.
Five teachers at Sun Terrace Elementary School (MDUSD) received $415 for math manipulatives for home use that engage all types of learners. Likewise, a Highlands Elementary schoolteacher received $495 to purchase literature books for three second grade classes. Each student will read and analyze two books. Fellow second grade teachers are also involved in this pursuit.
As for Special Technology, an El Monte schoolteacher applied some of the allocated $500 to purchase a license to utilize the MobyMax website, which provides individualized, interactive educational games and an engaging lessons component, both of which prove vital for distance learning.
Another technology related pursuit empowers a Gregory Gardens teacher to purchase a Document Camera while leading Zoom classes to help fifth grade students solve math problems and acquire language arts strategies.
As for Pittsburg Unified School District recipients, four teachers from Heights School received $297 to purchase Time for Kids magazine to reinforce Social Studies and Science standards. Students will write in response to pertinent articles and share information with each other.
Likewise, one Silverwood transitional kindergarten teacher who received $468 will create an Outdoor Environmental Learning Space, resplendent with two pop up canopy tents, to encourage students to spend more time in nature in pursuit of the study of science.
A Willow Cove teacher will purchase a multisensory program that concerns Spanish Immersion Class that focuses on phoenix awareness, decoding and spelling for fourth and fifth grade students.
In the area of Language Arts, a teacher from Heights Elementary School was granted $462 to establish a mobile library, again for home use, that requires students to write a book review and present it to classmates.
A Parkside librarian will purchase books for all grade levels to be enjoyed on comfortable floor cushions that will be arranged in compliance with social distancing.
How fortunate children attending schools in both the Mt. Diablo and Pittsburg Unified School Districts are blessed with teachers who reach beyond budget constraints to bring joy to learning while improving overall academic performance.
Funding for the above listed comes primarily from the Assistance League Thrift Shop at the Way Side Inn, located in Lafayette. To learn more, please visit this website: assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.
