Langley Awards 30 Teachers $500 Mini-Grants For Classroom Projects

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – (October 22, 2021) – Langley Federal Credit Union announces 30 $500 grants to local teachers for 2021-2022 classroom initiatives. Selected projects include a rocket-launching experiment, a butterfly garden, an Anime club, percussion instruments, a student-led picnic bench building project, and more.

Andrea Jones, a teacher at Blair Middle School in Norfolk, received a grant to establish a serenity space for students to relax and decompress, regulate their emotions, and aid in healing from trauma – all as an alternative to traditional discipline.

"The innovativeness of the project goes beyond what is normally taught in schools because it seeks to disrupt school policies that can lead to punishment, which impacts the community through the invisible fabric of our connectedness," said Jones. "We believe in building relationships with students and families, and taking a trauma-informed, equity-centered stance to meeting each students' needs."

In the 14th year awarding the mini-grants, Langley celebrates a total of $232,500 donated.

"Education is the foundation for our communities’ kids to succeed," said Foundation Director Laurel Ramey. "As a community advocate, it’s our role at Langley to support their important work to ensure bright futures."

A full listing of recipients and schools is included:

Langley Federal Credit Union has a long history of community involvement and charitable giving dating back to the founding of the credit union in the 1930's. With a commitment to making a difference in the communities it serves, Langley for Families Foundation was launched in 2014 to support causes and charities benefiting children and families.

Langley Federal Credit Union is a federally-chartered credit union, regulated and insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Langley Federal Credit Union serves more than 300,000 members and has nearly $4 billion in assets, ranking the financial cooperative as one of the 100 largest credit unions in the country. Langley is a full-service financial institution where everyone can save, borrow, and spend wisely. Located in Hampton Roads, Langley has over 600 employees, 19 branches and more than 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs throughout the region. For more information, visit www.langleyfcu.org.