Three Santa Ana dual immersion teachers were awarded Read Conmigo grants

The Kemper Foundation recently awarded Read Conmigo Bilingual Educator Grants to three exceptional teachers in Santa Ana:

• Petra Ortega Villarreal, El Sol Science and Arts Academy of Santa Ana, 2nd grade
• Maria Veronica Covarrubias, Jefferson Elementary School, Santa Ana, 2nd grade
• Nicole Fernandez, Pio Pico Dual Language Academy, Santa Ana, 5th grade

Their stories are inspiring and showcase the importance of bilingual education in shaping brighter futures. These remarkable educators stood out in a highly competitive application process, earning recognition for their dedication and excellence in bilingual education. They represent some of the very best in the field, making a profound impact on their students and communities.

This is the fifth round of grants awarded through the Foundation’s Read Conmigo program since the program launched in 2022, bringing the program’s award total to nearly $750,000.

Read Conmigo grants are focused on strengthening bilingual literacy skills and improving learning opportunities for elementary Latino and Hispanic students. The Kemper Foundation annually awards up to 100 grants of $3,000 each to public and charter schoolteachers of Spanish-English bilingual classrooms. The grants can be used for classroom resources, tools and materials, and professional development.

Recipients were selected by a panel of Kemper Foundation principals and partners, including the Bilingual/ESL Education Association of the Metroplex (Dallas), the Florida Association for Bilingual Education, the California Association for Bilingual Education, and GPSN.

“We are incredibly proud to support this dedicated group of educators who are making a lasting impact on their bilingual students,” said Barbara Ciesemier, President of The Kemper Foundation. “By equipping teachers with the resources and professional development they need, we’re not only helping them create enriched learning environments but also contributing to meaningful academic growth. It’s inspiring to see how the Read Conmigo grants are enhancing students’ bilingual abilities and overall classroom engagement.”

About The Kemper Foundation

The Kemper Foundation is the philanthropic partner of Kemper Corporation and focuses on support for charitable causes and organizations in education, health and community development. Through our owned-programs, key partnerships, financial donations, and Kemper employee volunteerism, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the communities where we live and work.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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