Rancho Cucamonga music teacher receives $2,000 grant

Erin Bollacker, a teacher at Dona Merced Elementary School in Rancho Cucamonga, has received a $2,000 Unsung Heroes grant from Voya Financial Inc.

Bollacker is one of three music teachers hired by the Central School District in the past few years to provide weekly instruction to all of the district’s elementary schools. She was one of just 100 winners selected from more than 1,200 applicants nationwide as part of a Voya-sponsored program to honor their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects and ability to positively influence their students.

Bollacker’s award-winning idea, “The Next Great Composer,” focuses on helping students develop, evaluate, improve and perform their own musical compositions, which they will compile into personal portfolios. Her goal is to help her students become skilled musicians whose compositions are highlighted in the classroom, at annual music performances and in portfolios that document their work over a period of five years.

“We’re thrilled for Erin and so proud of the work she is doing on behalf of her students,” said Donna Libutti, Superintendent of the Central School District. “Music education and the arts are such an important part of a child’s development, and it was through the input and support of our community that we were able to bring credentialed music teachers into our classrooms.”

Bollacker will now compete for one of Voya’s top three prizes — an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000. With her initial grant, she plans to purchase instruments.

“At Voya, we are proud to recognize the many teachers who go above and beyond to inspire a love of learning in their classrooms,” said Heather LavaIlee, president of Tax-Exempt Markets at Voya Financial. “Understanding that we all learn differently, these teachers have developed unique programs to engage the minds of each and every student. This aligns with our desire to help all Americans prepare for their unique financial futures. We are honored to empower Erin Bollacker to continue to impact the lives of young people who will one day be the future leaders of our communities.”