Investing in Our Staff’s Future: TEL HI Education Assistance Scholarship
September 2, 2025
TEL HI is proud to foster an environment that encourages learning and professional growth, not just for the children, families, and seniors we serve, but also for the dedicated staff who make our work possible. One of the clearest examples of this commitment is the
TEL HI Education Assistance Scholarship, established in 2019 by Dale Fehringer and Patty McCrary—long-time volunteers, board members, and donors.
Recognizing the financial challenges TEL HI employees often face in pursuing higher education, Dale and Patty created the scholarship to help staff advance their studies while continuing to serve the community. The scholarship provides awards of up to $4,000 to cover tuition, fees, books, and necessary equipment, and scholarships can be renewed annually for ongoing programs. Since its inception, the scholarship has awarded more than $35,000 in support, empowering staff members to achieve their educational and professional goals.
A three-person committee—currently comprised of Dale Fehringer, Judy Giampaoli, and Michele Imfeld Wessling—reviews applications each year, carefully considering essays and manager recommendations. This year’s awards were announced with unanimous enthusiasm:
- Tram Ngoc Phan, TEL HI Preschool Head Teacher, was awarded her first $4,000 scholarship. Tram expressed her heartfelt gratitude, describing how TEL HI has become a place where she can learn, grow, and give back. Working closely with families and children has been transformative for her, and the scholarship will allow her to continue her education and return with even more knowledge to support the community.
- Naomi Romero, Family Partnership Coordinator for the TEL HI Beacon at Francisco Middle School received a renewal of her scholarship. Naomi shared how the support has shaped her journey, allowing her to pivot from an initial interest in public health toward a more fulfilling path in social work and mental health. Balancing school and parenting two children have not been easy, but the scholarship has provided the encouragement and resources she needed to stay on course.
By supporting our employees’ educational pursuits, we not only strengthen individual growth but also ensure that TEL HI continues to deliver the highest quality of care and services to our community.
If you would like to learn more about the TEL HI Education Assistance Scholarship or contribute to this life-changing program, please reach out to Ashley Latoof at alatoof@telhi.org—we would love to share how you can make a difference.
