March 5, 2014
By Tara Cavanaugh
Meemic Insurance is offered exclusively to teachers and those who work in education, offering competitive rates on home, auto, boat and personal umbrella insurance.
Founded by educators for educators in 1950, the company is also committed to supporting education. Local Meemic branch The Gordon Group Agency has partnered with the Meemic Foundation for the Future of Education to support teachers in the Ann Arbor Public Schools with grants for books and conferences, donating nearly $7,000 total this year.
“Every dollar you can find to give kids a better education is important,” said Stew Gordon, president of the Gordon Group, who is also a retired school psychologist.
Recipients of $500 book grants are:
- Ann Marie Borders, Carpenter
- Jane Rossi, Tappan
- Pete Pasque, Skyline
- Sara Duvall, Skyline
- Chris Peterson, Skyline
- Jeffrey Austin, Skyline
- Cheryl Schroeder, King
- Natasha Stewart, King
- Rebecca Lussier, King
Recipients of $300 conference grants, which pay for teachers to attend professional development conferences, are:
- Sara Duvall, Skyline
- Pete Pasque, Skyline
- Kristal Jaaskelainen, Skyline
- Jeri Schneider, Eberwhite
- Anthony Lauer, CHS
- Deb Wenzel, Slauson
- Jennifer Elliott, Ann Arbor Preschool
- Hyeuo Park, Bach
- Diane Grant, CHS
- Kristen Mahler, AAPS Nurse, Skyline and Carpenter
Skyline instructional technology teacher Pete Pasque is attending the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning Conference, along with teachers Kristal Jaaskelainen and Sara Duvall, next week in Grand Rapids thanks to a Meemic grant. They will share a presentation on helping students organize their academic work through Student Learning Networks.
“I’d like to express my sincerest thanks to Meemic and The Gordon Group for supporting our project and professional learning,” Pasque said. “Their history of support for innovation in education helps teachers create meaningful and memorable learning experiences for our students.”
AAPS Online and Options Coordinator Anthony Lauer is also attending MACUL conference next week. “The conference will allow me to network with colleagues around the state that are working with using technology to improve student learning,” he said. “I will also have the opportunity to talk to vendors about their products and the needs of our district in terms of virtual learning, which will help in the development of A2 Virtual+ Academy. There are also workshops as part of the conference that I will be attending to explore uses of current technology to improve student learning and experiences in online courses. I am especially excited to learn about possible new learning management systems, which are the framework to offering online courses.
“I want to thank Meemic insurance and the Gordon Group for allowing me this opportunity, as it will enhance our online program by improving student experiences in online courses.”
It has become more difficult for school districts to pay for professional development conferences for teachers, said AAPS Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Swift. “So we are particularly thrilled with and thankful for this support from Meemic and the Gordon Group.”
The Gordon Group Agency and the Meemic Foundation have supported AAPS for years, giving the book grants and conference grants, as well as providing complimentary breakfasts and lunches for school staff. The company, which does not do any promotional advertising, was labeled “financially strong” by A.M Best, the nation’s top insurance analyst last year.
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