New teachers get bonus from Rotary

WAILEA - Three new public school teachers who received financial support from the Rotary Club of Kihei-Wailea to obtain their teaching degrees got more assistance from the club as they began their new careers.

Gina O'Connor, Erin Anderson and Jessica Mathias each received a $500 "bonus" from the club to help set up their classrooms.

Mathias is a 3rd-grade teacher at Kamalii Elementary; Anderson, teaches kindergarten at Lihikai Elementary; and O'Connor, is a kindergarten teacher at Pomaikai Elementary.

The three were among nine student teachers who participated in the club's "Growing Our Own Teachers" on Maui program. The club helped the nine with their student-teaching semester. The semester required a full-time commitment to their studies, making it difficult for them to earn a living while also having to pay tuition.

"It has been a wonderful experience following last spring's Maui teacher cohort to graduation, and it is so exciting to realize that we were able to play a small part in helping them reach their dream of teaching on Maui," said Lis Richardson, chairwoman of the program.

The club held fundraisers and sold custom engraved bricks to raise the $31,500 for the scholarships awarded last spring. The bricks will be put in at Kamaole Beach Park III, courtesy of Goodfellow Brothers.

More personalized bricks are for sale, with the club hoping to raise $7,000 for another set of scholarships. Order forms may be obtained at the park in a "take one" box or may be downloaded at Web site www.RCKW.org.

The cost of a 4-by-8-inch brick is $130, 8-by-8 inch brick, $500; and 8-by-8-inch brick with custom logo, signature or drawing, $1,000

A small replica clay brick may be purchased for $20. The bricks are tax-deductible.

For more information, e-mail RCKWPres@hawaii.rr.com or call 344-5777.

The Rotary Club of Kihei-Wailea is one of nine Rotary clubs on Maui. The club meets at 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays at the Hotel Wailea Maui.