Meet Keisha

Keisha joined Education First in 1999, as a recent college grad and new teacher at Columbus City Schools. She remembers hearing about the Credit Union at her orientation and decided to open an account.

“As a new teacher, just starting out, I needed a checking and savings account because I didn’t have an account in Columbus yet,” says Keisha.

Over 20 years later and Education First remains the only financial institution that Keisha banks with.

“I never needed or wanted to go anywhere else. The Credit Union has been great for all these years and always convenient and easy,” says Keisha.

Keisha spent much of her career teaching first grade at Devonshire Project Adventure Elementary School in Columbus. Devonshire is known for its innovative physical education curriculum, including off-site camping trips and high impact activities such as climbing trees, rope courses, and rock climbing.

After leaving Devonshire, Keisha taught second grade at Maize Elementary for one year and has been at Duxbury Park Arts Impact for the last five years.

To help stock her classroom each school year with supplies and decorations, Keisha has used Education First’s Classroom Supply Loan.

“A lot of people don’t realize how much teachers spend of their money own for classroom needs and supplies,” says Keisha. “One of the things I appreciate most about the Credit Union is the Classroom Supply Loan. It has helped me get everything I need for the school year, and it’s easy to pay back.”

Education First’s Classroom Supply Loan is an interest-free loan that makes it affordable for teachers to purchase their school supplies. Educators can borrow up to $1,000.00, completely interest-free, and pay back the loan over a comfortable 12-month period.

Another Education First service that Keisha appreciates is the Credit Union’s Mobile App, (EDUCU Access), which she often uses to check her account balances and transfer money.

“I tried to convert my husband to the Credit Union,” laughs Keisha, “but he was happy with his current bank. I couldn’t part ways with my Credit Union though! So, we compromised and kept both our accounts. Now, I use the Mobile App to transfer funds all the time between our accounts, and it’s so easy! I’ve never had any problems with it.”

Recently, Keisha got a car loan with the Credit Union and says that Education First Relationship Officer, Danica, made the process seamless and easy to understand.

“Danica was so nice and patient. She really made everything clear to understand.”

After 21 years of being a member of Education First, Keisha says there’s much she appreciates about her Credit Union.

“Things I appreciate most about the Credit Union… definitely the drive-thru at Westerville – everyone there is excellent, and I appreciate how easy and convenient everything is, like adding accounts or transferring money in between accounts. And most of all, I really appreciate the Classroom Supply Loan!”