About 23 years ago, I was studying to become a teacher at Towson State University in Maryland. To help with my tuition and books I applied and received a scholarship from the Trumansburg Charitable Trust. That scholarship helped me to earn my bachelors degree in education. I later finished up a masters degree and got a job teaching fourth grade at Trumansburg Elementary. I’m now getting ready to start my 20th year teaching. It has been such a rewarding job watching children learn and grow. I love getting to know each and every individual and enjoy the challenge of creating unique lessons that will foster their learning!
I am very grateful for the scholarship I received from the charitable trust which helped me achieve my dream of becoming a teacher!
Colleen Civiletto
Whenever I think of how I’ve gotten where I am today in the Education field, I always think of the Trumansburg Charitable Trust. Striving to reach your educational goals can be difficult to navigate, very stressful and expensive. My career goal of becoming an elementary school teacher was made possible due to the generosity of the Trust. I am so thankful for the award that I received. It gave me an efficient avenue to achieve my goal while not having the stress of going further into debt and that has meant the world to me. As an educator in my 16th year of teaching, I still love my career just as much today as the day I started. An award from the Trumansburg Charitable Trust is, in my opinion, the most valuable tool an aspiring educator and graduate from The Trumansburg Central School system can have in their toolbox.
Deb Stasierowski
I was lucky enough to receive an award from the Trumansburg Charitable Trust in 2009. I’m sure the trustees were surprised to receive my application, since I was certainly not the typical, college-aged applicant. I was almost 40 years old and had already been teaching for more than 15 years. However, they recognized my dedication to the profession and chose to help me further my career in education. You see, I had been living and teaching outside of New York State all those years, and when I moved back to Trumansburg, with hopes of teaching in the local public schools, I learned just how rigorous and expensive getting certified in New York State really is! I had to take multiple college courses and sit for at least four different state certification exams, all at considerable cost. The money from the Trumansburg Charitable Trust allowed me to complete my New York State teaching certification within the year, and helped me realize my dream of living and working back where I grew up. I now teach French and Spanish at DeWitt Middle School in Ithaca and absolutely love what I do. I thank the trustees at the Charitable Trust for their hard work and dedication to helping educators. Your work really does make a difference in our community!
Rebecca Stevenson
The Trumansburg Charitable Trust 