POMONA – The Pomona Valley division of the California Retired Teachers Association has provided nearly $750 in mini-grants to Pomona Unified teachers to purchase a variety of classroom materials, from chemistry handbooks and circuit boards for robotics to computer tablets and balance scales.

During the highly competitive grant process – in which a seven-member committee from Pomona Valley Division 13 reviewed 256 applications submitted by teachers from 10 school districts – six PUSD educators were selected to receive the small grants to enrich their classrooms and benefit students.

“I want to thank our retired Pomona Valley educators, who continue to care about our students and their education and inspire our teachers to continue improving achievement outcomes for all of our students,” Board of Education President Andrew Wong said.

The 2015 grant recipients from PUSD are Rebecca Bulsombut from Decker Elementary, who will purchase Arduino boards for her robotics class; Christiana Duckett from Ganesha High, who will purchase a chemical equations handbook; Pimolrat Kanehana of Alcott Elementary, who will buy hands-on math manipulatives; Roxane Medina of Fremont Academy, who will buy materials for her special education class; Jessica Mitchell from Ranch Hills Elementary, who will buy a computer tablet; and Linda Quach of Ganesha High, who plans to purchase a balance.

“As former teachers, we firmly believe in supporting our successors in their efforts to raise student success rates,” said Kathy Concidine, Pomona Valley Division 13’s Teacher Grant Chairperson. “While these grants are small, I know that they will go a long way in supporting classroom instruction.”

Of the 256 applications the committee reviewed, 54 were from Pomona Unified.

“This is wonderful news for Pomona Unified and these deserving teachers, who work diligently every day to make miracles happen in the classroom,” Superintendent Richard Martinez said. “Thanks to organizations like the California Retired Teachers Association, these educators will be able to continue making a difference in the lives of their current and future students.”