Freedom Federal Credit Union Donates Classroom Libraries To New Teachers

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Freedom Federal Credit Union leadership presented classroom libraries to the new kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers at Magnolia Elementary, the first to receive these book bundles for the newly established county-wide program.  Back (L to R): Mary Beth Stapleton, Manager of Family and Community Partnerships; Dr. Sean Bulson, Superintendent; Audrey Vohs, Principal; Phil Snyder, Supervisor of Accountability; Teachers: Allison Hall and Emily Waters; Mike MacPherson, Freedom President and CEO, Lisa Snodgrass, Director of Development, Carmen Mirabile, SVP Marketing, and Ronnie Teitler Davis, Board Director  Front (L to R): Kristine Scarry, Supervisor of Reading, English, and Language Arts; Teachers: Maggie Deckleman, Taylor Stumbo, and Danielle Galbraith

All new Harford County Public Schools Kindergarten through grade 2 teachers to receive starter libraries for their classrooms

Freedom Federal Credit Union, in partnership with Harford County Public Schools (HCPS), is providing all new educators, teaching in Kindergarten through Second Grade, with starter libraries for their classrooms.  Across the county, 42 new teachers, across 22 schools, will receive a bundle of over 500 grade-specific reading books appropriate for their students and aligned with their curriculum. 

Carmen David Mirabile, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Freedom Federal Credit Union stated, “Freedom receives many requests from educators each year in search of financial support for their classrooms.  We have seen the need for elementary level books and reading resources as a recurring and unmet need for many of these educators, who quite often are reaching into their own pockets to stock their classrooms with new, age-appropriate reading materials. This is a small step towards fulfilling that need, not just for a single teacher, but for many across Harford County Public Schools.”

Freedom intends to build awareness around the need to build classroom libraries and recognizes it will be necessary to address the need as a multi-year, strategic initiative.  This is the first time an organized effort has been made to broadly equip new teachers at HCPS with a classroom library to ensure no one is starting off without essential reading resources for their students. 

“Freedom is a very special community partner,” said Dr. Sean Bulson, Superintendent of HCPS.  “Not only did Freedom provide masks and thermometers for staff’s personal use during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they also found a way to support our classrooms. Putting books into the hands of students is one of the most important things we do. We appreciate Freedom for supporting these educators as they begin their teaching career.” 

Freedom leadership gathered with representatives from Harford County Public Schools on Monday, January 24th, at Magnolia Elementary School to present the libraries.  Kristin Scarry, Supervisor of Reading, English, and Language Arts Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for HCPS, was integral in working with Freedom’s liaison to the schools, Business Development Director, Lisa Snodgrass, on completing the project. Both are looking forward to continuing to expand the program, looking at including higher grade levels next year, and then expanding existing classroom libraries.    

If you are an educator within Harford County or Baltimore County schools, you are eligible for Freedom’s Golden Apple Program, a special savings and rewards program for educators.  This program includes access to their Annual Golden Apple Awards, which allows teachers to apply for classroom grants up to $2000.  Entries are now being accepted for the current school year.

About Freedom Federal Credit Union

Freedom Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered federal credit union offering consumer financial services to those who live, work, volunteer, worship, attend school, or have family in Harford and Baltimore Counties.  Additionally, Freedom offers a full-line of banking services for all businesses, associations, and other organizations that are based in Harford or Baltimore Counties.  Freedom has been in business since 1953 and has six locations throughout Harford and Baltimore County. To learn more, visit freedomfcu.org.

About Harford County Public Schools

The mission of Harford County Public Schools is that each student will attain academic and personal success in a safe and caring environment that honors the diversity of our students and staff.  The vision of the Board of Education of Harford County is to inspire and prepare each student to achieve success in college and career.

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