Portageville teacher receives check from MRTF

Portageville teacher Christina Brands submitted a proposal that focused on robotics for specific use grant of $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation (MRTF). Last week, John and Anne Moyer of the Missouri Retired Teachers and School Personnel Association (MRTA) and MRTF presented her with a $500 ceremony check. Several high school teachers were present at the ceremony.

Scott Seal/Portageville Missourian

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. - A Portageville High School teacher recently received a grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation (MRTF).

Christina Brands submitted an application for a specific use focused on robotics for a $500 grant from the MRTF. On Aug. 13, Brands was presented with her check.

MRTF provides money for seven classroom grants in each of the 14 regions across the state. There are 11 counties in Region 12, including counties that make up the Missouri Bootheel. This year, grants were awarded to teachers in Thayer, Doniphan, Jackson, Oak Ridge, Poplar Bluff, and Portageville.  

“Grant applications have become more competitive each year I have assisted in scoring them. This year Region 12 reviewed 30 grants for consideration. Region 12 has a group of people that assist evaluating each grant application. Applications were accepted until June 30th,” said Anne Moyer, MRTA Region 12 vice president  

Brands’ proposal on robotics is a topic that will have an impact on students and provide hands-on experiences consistent with a current widespread emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education. 

“She was not notified of her selection until the day of presentation, although her administrator was advised beforehand. The same was true of the other six grant winners in Region 12,” said Moyer.

Moyer and her husband, John Moyer, who represents the Missouri Retired Teachers and School Personnel Association (MRTA) and Foundation (MRTF), made the announcement in front of several of Brands’ Portageville colleagues. The grant was one of 98 grants totaling $49,000 given across the state at the beginning of the new school year.

Brief information was discussed with the Portageville teachers about the importance of keeping aware of what is happening at the Missouri Legislature that can impact the teacher retirement system. The teacher retirement and school employee retirement systems are combined under the Public School Retirement System and Public Education Employee Retirement System (PSRS/PEERS).

MRTF raises funding for the grants primarily through the generosity of 28,000 MRTA members. Missouri Retired Teachers (MRTA), specifically the regional vice presidents, is responsible for selecting the seven grant recipients in each region.