Merced Union High School District Teachers Association Member,
Elaine Tam, Wins $2,500
California Casualty Academic Award
(Winner Elaine Tam center, Principal Alan Peterson left, and California Casualty Field Marketing Manager, Meri
Graham on right)
California Casualty has presented a $2,500 Academic Award to Merced Union High School
District Teachers Association member, Elaine Tam, for her class at Atwater High School in
Atwater, California. Tam’s name was randomly selected from a pool of more than 15,000
entries from around the nation.
Elaine Tam was all smiles when her name was announced as the latest California Casualty
Academic Award winner during a back to school teacher staff meeting. Fellow teachers were
present and pleased to see one of their own receive a check for $2,500 to use for school
supplies and activities. When asked what she would do with the money, Elaine replied, “I will
use it for transportation to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and if there’s money left over, I will buy
classroom supplies.” Tam went on to say transportation has been a hindrance to field trips
because of the high cost of bus charter services.
Elaine Tam grew up in Atwater, and has been teaching for thirteen years. She began her
teacher career at a local junior high before accepting a position six years ago as a biology
teacher at Atwater High School.
It is no secret that teachers have felt the budget cuts in recent years. What many may not know
is that on average, teachers spend $500 of their personal money to fund classroom materials
and supplies. Elaine confessed that she too has spent her personal money to support her
students.
“California Casualty, which has 62 years of ties to public education, wanted to give at least one
educator some relief – and to thank him or her for the dedication and sacrifice made daily on the
job”, said Senior Vice President Doug Goldberg. The Academic Award contest was launched
late in 2012 and will continue to run through 2013. The next winner will be randomly drawn in
December.
8-12 public school teachers can review complete rules and enter the Academic Award giveaway
at www.calcasacademicaward.com. Eligibility requires membership in the NEA, CTA or AEA.
California Casualty is a 99-year-old policyholder-owned company headquartered in San Mateo,
California with service centers in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas. Learn more about its auto and
home insurance for CTA members at www.CTAMemberBenefits.org/calcas.