Credit/Firstmark CU
The Firstmark Foundation, the charitable organization of the $1.1 billion, San Antonio, Texas-based Firstmark Credit Union, awarded a $100,000 grant to the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT) in support of the SAMSAT Educator Fellows Program, the credit union announced Tuesday.
According to Firstmark, the program, which focuses on aiding teachers who serve underrepresented populations via Title I schools, will train 12 teachers over one year in methods of project-based learning, including three teachers with prior experience who will also serve as mentors. This is the first grant the Foundation has awarded SAMSAT.
"The Firstmark Foundation believes in giving back to our education community where innovation and creativity lead to access and opportunity, and this program will do just that," Marisa Pérez-Díaz, vice president of impact and marketing for Firstmark CU, said. "When presented with a chance to support forward-thinking programs that create pathways for educator success, it's an easy decision to act upon it. We are beyond excited to partner with SAMSAT on this initiative, to play a role in helping this program come to life, and thankful to Power of the Dollar members for making this all possible."
Firstmark CU members support the Firstmark Foundation year-round through the credit union's Power of the Dollar Checking account, which includes a $1 monthly impact fee that goes directly to the Foundation.
One objective of the program is to provide educators with professional development opportunities, which are often limited and come at an added expense to the educator, Firstmark CU pointed out. It is set to launch in late spring 2024 and will also offer each teacher the chance to make two visits to SAMSAT AREA 21 – SAMSAT's museum, industry showcase and center for student exploration and learning – on field trips with their students, where they will receive direct assistance integrating new approaches into daily practice, the credit union said.
"Firstmark's support for the SAMSAT Educator Fellows Program will further connect us to teachers who are preparing the next generation of scientists, researchers and STEM professionals," David Monroe, founder and CEO of SAMSAT, added.
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Natasha Chilingerian
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
