(COLUMBIA, MO) – The Columbia Public Schools Foundation (CPSF) announced New Educator Grants for educators new to the Columbia Public Schools, surprising each with a $100 gift card. The Foundation made the announcement today at the CPS New Educator Breakfast held at Gentry Middle School.

Each new educator received a $100 gift card to use as they need to help establish their classroom. In total, the Foundation is expected to give out about 300 gift cards to new educators, or about $30,000. The Foundation’s board members were on hand at the breakfast to distribute the gift cards to the new educators.

“The Foundation’s board is so excited to support this new program,” said Katie Harris, executive director of CPSF. “It’s the first year in our more than 25-year history that we’ve done something like this. We wanted to show new teachers that we know how much they end up spending out of their own pockets, and we support and appreciate them as they’re setting up their classrooms and starting their teaching careers with the best school district in the state.”

Thanks to the Foundation’s partnership with Central Bank of Boone County, the gift cards have zero fees. The new educators will receive the full $100 amount on their cards.

The Columbia Public Schools Foundation is a private foundation established by community volunteers dedicated to the enrichment of public education through community giving. The Foundation has funded projects in every school, allocating more than $1.6 million to enhance education in the Columbia Public Schools. CPSF was founded in 1996 and has supported teachers and students for 27 years.