In a time when virtual learning environments have become the norm, many students in low-income communities lack proper access to the internet and technology they need to successfully participate in their virtual classrooms. Thanks to a grant from Arizona Federal Credit Union’s new Local Artist, Local Causes debit card giveback program, Phoenix nonprofit Million Dollar Teacher Project (MDTP) is supporting Arizona educators and getting local students back into the digital classroom.

Recently Arizona Federal Credit Union awarded MDTP $3,000 in support of its mission to elevate the teaching profession through increased recognition, compensation, and support. These funds will provide 10 local students access back into the classroom with a computer and a hotspot, and give 3,000 hours back to teachers through MDTP’s Classroom Support Team, a program that aligns teachers with a team of talented support staff and specialists to help lighten the load on educators.

“Each year, teachers spend countless hours and over $1,000 of their own money on school supplies so that they can set their students up for a successful school year. With the adoption of virtual learning due to COIVID-19, many teachers are using more of their limited resources than ever before,” said Lloyd Hopkins, executive director at MDTP. “The generosity of Arizona Federal Credit Union and our neighbors will help students continue to learn in this new environment and help us continue our long-term assistance to teachers. We’re extremely grateful for their support.”

Since 2016, Million Dollar Teacher Project has celebrated and supported nearly 30,000 teachers. Its latest initiative, Title 1 Tech, has helped provide over 185 students across Arizona with the technology they need—such as tablets, laptops, and internet access—to participate in virtual learning. MDTP’s goal is to connect over 10,000 students to their teachers with devices and internet.

“The digital divide that was created last year due to COVID-19 really exposed the lack of availability of tech to support virtual learning,” said Jason Paprocki, chief operating officer at Arizona Federal Credit Union. “When we learned more about Million Dollar Teacher Project and what they had already set in motion to help Title 1 schools, Arizona Federal and our generous member-owners were proud to provide the grant to support this effort.”

For more information on Million Dollar Teacher Project visit mdtproject.org, or to learn about Arizona Federal Credit Union’s Local Artist, Local Causes card program, please visit http://www.ArizonaFederal.org/Community.