Check presentation at TUSD Board of Education meeting (Left to right: Teachers Kathy Black and Karen Sasso, TORC Community Relations Advisor Brandon Matson, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Ramona Chang, Board of Education President Michael Wermers, Science Resource Teacher Tera Black, and TORC Community Relations Manager Barbara Graham)

Representatives from the Torrance Refining Company (TORC) presented a $100,000 donation to the Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) at the TUSD Board of Education meeting on February 5, 2018. The funding will go toward TORC’s annual Innovation Education Grant Program (IEGP), which provides TUSD teachers with funds to enhance their curriculum in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, commonly known as STEAM.

This year, TORC has awarded grants to 28 teachers, who will implement their project proposals from now through June 2018. To have qualified, teachers were required to show a direct link to Design Thinking techniques while incorporating Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards into their proposed curriculum. A grant-selection committee comprised of Torrance Refinery employee volunteers selected the winning grant proposals.

The program will culminate on June 7, when there will be a special showcase event at the Torrance Refinery to highlight the projects funded through the program and to recognize the winning teachers.

TORC congratulates the following teachers who have been awarded an IEGP grant:

  • Allen Chin, Adams Elementary
  • Maureen Arevalo, Adams Elementary
  • Alissa Goins, Arnold Elementary
  • Margaret Hughes, Arnold Elementary
  • Shawna Rogers, Arnold Elementary
  • Ann Strauch, Arnold Elementary
  • April Pages, Victor Elementary
  • Chizuko Morimoto, Wood Elementary
  • Jeanne Coe, Carr Elementary
  • Sarah Peterson, Carr Elementary
  • Danielle Uy, Carr Elementary
  • Jennifer Walsh, Arnold Elementary
  • Karen Sasso, Arnold Elementary
  • Lindy Lee, Anza Elementary
  • Sabrina Holdsworth, Towers Elementary
  • Katie Tyler, Wood Elementary
  • Sandy Underwood, Towers Elementary
  • Sherri Nelson, Carr Elementary
  • Kathy Black, Arnold Elementary
  • Gayle Bond, Hickory Elementary
  • Heather Fitzgerald, Hickory Elementary
  • Kevin Tambara, Bert Lynn Middle School
  • Nancy Ton, Madrona Middle School
  • Jay Estabrook, North High
  • Julie Wood, South High
  • Katie Doupe, North High
  • Nicole Parsons, South High
  • Sara Aloteibi, South High