Goddard Education Foundation -

A welcome wave of gratitude swept through the Goddard Public Schools district on Tuesday, August 5th as Credit Union of America (CUA) delivered ‘Back to School’ bags and cookies to over 1,200 staff members across all 12 schools. This generous gesture, a tradition that kicks off the school year, was met with heartfelt appreciation. The Goddard Education Foundation, is proud to partner with CUA, and thankful for their ongoing support for our #265Family. 

*CUA Team members delivering bags and cookies.

For one CUA employee, Marina King, the day was particularly special. A 2013 graduate of Eisenhower High School, Marina, now a data analyst for CUA, had the unique opportunity to revisit her alma mater. Walking the halls she once roamed as a student, Marina was overcome with a sense of nostalgia. “Walking through the halls of the schools as an adult now, I remember how big the school once felt and now it’s not so big,” she shared. “The memories just come flooding back, remembering teachers, your locker, and all those little memories made in each school that stuck with you.”

*Marina King, Class of 2013, standing next to her former locker at Discovery Intermediate.

The nostalgic memories weren’t just centered around the buildings, but the educators and former student peers too. Marina was both surprised and excited to reconnect with an alumnus friend, Sarah (Johnson) Juarez, now an educator for Goddard High School. The two were able to share common memories about their time spent together as students, now giving back in different but both impactful ways to the #265Family. “Visiting Goddard Schools to ‘Give Back’ alongside CUA, was one of those really cool moments where, now being an adult, I had the opportunity to return the favor for a District that contributed so much to me,” shared Marina.

*Marina King with Sarah (Johnson) Jaurez, former students together in Goddard Public Schools.

*2013 Picture that includes Marina King and Sarah (Johnson) Juarez at Eisenhower High School.

To round out her Goddard Public Schools visit, Marina shared a powerful message to other alumni, “ I would love to encourage other alumni to find a way to ‘Give Back’ to your alma mater. It not only helps bring pieces of that special time in your life back, but it’s really a full circle moment and a way we can continue to give to the educators that were a big part of our journey and will have the same impact on future generations of Goddard Alumni. 

*CUA Team delivering bags and cookies to a Goddard School.