Gulf Coast Educators FCU Honors Five Area Appreciated Teachers

The credit union’s inaugural Appreciated Teacher Awards were presented to the deserving finalists who were selected from over 120 nominations. Each finalist received an engraved award, a cash honorarium and an inspirational book about teachers. The five finalists and their schools were also eligible for a cash donation to be made to the school. The winning schools receiving donations were Pasadena Memorial High School, South Houston High School and Ralph Parr Elementary.

Peggy Arnold
The credit union presented Peggy Arnold with her Appreciated Teacher Award in a staff meeting at Fairmont Elementary. Peggy is retiring after this school year and her fellow teachers will miss her but she leaves a legacy of caring for students behind.

Chris Mcglothlin
When we asked the crowd of fourth and fifth graders at Parr Elementary who had Mr. Mac as a teacher, his current and former students responded with cheers for their teacher. He is obviously appreciated by his students and his school.

Richard Alba
Richard Alba encourages his students to give back to the community. Richard told us, "I don't feel as if I do anything that the other nominees or my colleagues don't do as well. Teaching is a profession that requires, of the ones who choose to do it, a great deal of selflessness, dedication, and a genuine sense of responsibility for our youth. The extra hours, involvement, and dedication described in the submission of my name to you could undoubtedly be applied to most true professionals in our field." This may be one of the reasons you see such a strong sense of community at Pasadena Memorial High School.

Marina Collier
Marina Collier is a wonderful first grade teacher at Gilmore Elementary which is named after one of the credit union's former board members Darwin Gilmore. Marina is appreciated by her coworkers because she is always willing to give her time and energy to help her fellow teachers and most importantly the students.

Debbie McNabb
We presented Debbie McNabb with her Appreciated Teacher Award in front of her class where she announced that one of her students was only one of four in all of PISD to score a perfect score on the science STAAR test. Mrs. McNabb and her fellow science teachers at South Houston High School had a great deal to do with that.

About Gulf Coast Educators FCU
Founded in 1948, Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union was created by, and for, people who work in the field of education. Today, the credit union serves the financial needs of education employees within Harris, Brazoria and Galveston counties. Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union takes its commitment to teachers very seriously. In a recent staff meeting more than half of the employees revealed they had a teacher in their immediate family. The entire board is made up of current and former educators.