Teachers Appreciation Week 2026
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05 May 2026

Nine educators were awarded classroom grants for their outstanding dedication and impact in their classrooms and communities

 

HAUPPAUGE, NY (May 5, 2026) - In celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Week, Teachers Federal Credit Union, today announced the winners of its sixth annual Teacher Appreciation Week Contest, recognizing nine exceptional educators from across the country for their impact in their classrooms and communities. Selected from a nationwide pool of nominations and chosen by public vote, this year’s recipients will receive a total of $15,000 in classroom grants to support learning, creativity, and student success.

Now in its sixth year, the Teacher Appreciation Week Contest has become a signature initiative for Teachers Federal Credit Union, which was founded in 1952 by educators on Long Island and now serves more than 472,000 members nationwide. From a competitive field of nominations, 18 finalists were selected across three grade-level categories: Pre-K–5, grades 6–8, and grades 9–12. The public cast votes from April 20 through April 24 to determine the top three educators in each category, who were awarded grants of $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000.

“Supporting educators is deeply connected to our history and who we are as an organization,” said Brad Calhoun, President and CEO of Teachers Federal Credit Union. “We are proud to recognize these outstanding winners and the difference they make in the lives of their students each day.”

The educators selected as this year’s winners include:

 

• Grades Pre-K-5

  • Jaimie Miscioscia, Cayuga Elementary School – Lake Grove, New York
  • Daniel Casamassa, Pulaski Street Intermediate School – Riverhead, New York
  • Judith Goldfarb, Charles A. Mulligan Elementary School – Central Islip, New York

• Grades 6-8

  • Lindsay Guzzo, Samoset Middle School – Lake Ronkonkoma, New York
  • Susan Porter, Nesaquake Middle School – St. James, New York
  • Jon Stecker, P.J. Gelinas Middle School – Setauket, New York

• Grades 9-12

  • Christine Maniscalco, West Islip High School – West Islip, New York
  • Rahana Schmalacker, Central Islip High School – Central Islip, New York
  • Frank Verdone, Hampton Bays High School – Hampton Bays, New York

Since launching the Teacher Appreciation Week Contest, Teachers Federal Credit Union has awarded classroom grants to dozens of educators across the country. The program is part of the credit union’s broader charitable efforts, supporting causes that promote education, human services, economic development, and research. In 2025, Teachers surpassed $1.65 million in philanthropic contributions, underscoring its commitment to strengthening the communities it serves.

Nominations for the 2027 Teacher Appreciation Week Contest will open in March of next year. To learn more about this year's winners, read their stories, or stay informed about future contests, visit teachersfcu.org/teachercontest.

 


ABOUT TEACHERS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION:

Teachers Federal Credit Union (Teachers) is one of the country's largest credit unions, with more than $9.9 billion in assets and over 472,000 members across all 50 states. Founded in New York in 1952, Teachers is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution with an open charter offering membership to anyone in the U.S. through its 33 full-service branches and best-in-class digital solutions. Teachers is a key supporter of the communities it serves and is proud to offer a range of member-focused products with competitive rates and low fees. What started as a smart solution for teachers is now smart for all. For more information, visit www.teachersfcu.org.