Grants Given to TISD Educators
Posted/updated on: January 11, 2015 at 4:33 pm
TYLER Band members from both high schools joined the Tyler ISD Foundations Grant Patrol to visit 34 educators at nine campuses to announce the recipients of the foundations 2014-2015 Grants for Great Ideas. The grant program supports innovative teaching projects in the Tyler ISD that are not funded or are under-funded by the districts operating budget. The goal of the program is to provide funding for exceptional education opportunities that are not supported by tax dollars. The Grant Patrol also included the awarding of the very first Dr. Jack L. and Ina Davidson Memorial Grant. Dr. Davidson was the former superintendent of the Tyler ISD and was instrumental in the establishment of the Tyler ISD Foundation. He was named a lifetime member of the foundation. His wife, Ina, loved science. The couples daughter, Nancy Davidson Bowling, flew from Georgia to Tyler to present the grant to teachers at Bonner Elementary School.
Grant applicants submitted proposals in October. The arrival of the Grant Patrol was the first notification to teachers receiving funding for their projects. Members of the Grant Patrol loaded onto a Tyler ISD bus carrying pom poms, noise makers, balloons and the large presentations checks. Bright, flashing stars proudly proclaimed Im A Winner and were provided to each grant recipient.
This was a special and historic day for the Tyler ISD Foundation, Executive Director Maya Bethany said. 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the foundations creation. We wanted to kick off this celebratory year by providing funding for innovative projects in grand fashion. Our Grants for Great Ideas program is the largest and most vital part of our mission and for 25 years we have been able to support Tyler ISD teachers.
2014-2015 Tyler ISD Foundation Grant Recipients:
Nancy Sivertson and Diana Koop of Rice Elementary for TEE TIME!–$3,000.00.The nationally acclaimed golfing program, The First Tee, is designed to help students develop relationships, impact their lives through positive character values, learning a lifelong sport and have fun. By purchasing this program, which includes all the equipment and instructions to accommodate three classes of students at a time, Rice students will be able to continue improving their golf skills and grow in their character development throughout the year. Funding made possible by Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLP.
George Brigman, Jose Graciano, Alan Richbourg, Joe Picarella, Maragarita Dunn and Stephanie Jones of Bonner Elementary School for Robotic Dreams–$4,299.37. The Robotic Dreams grant is designed to reach students who may have lost their abilities to dream due to struggles at home and school. The Robotic Dreams grant will allow Bonner Elementary School to purchase robotic kits that can be used yearly with each new group of 5th grade students in an after school Robotics Club. Dr. Jack L. and Ina Davidson Memorial Grant.
Rebecca Roos-Acy and Joe Bonds of Robert E. Lee High School for Chess for Success!–$4,293.20. Chess can enhance concentration, patience, and perseverance, as well as develop creativity, intuition, memory and most importantly, the ability to analyze and deduce from a set of general principles, learning to make tough decisions and solve problems flexibly. Chess for Success will support the Chess Club at Robert E. Lee High School by providing adequate equipment, tools and uniforms to allow the students to compete in competitions. Funding made possible by Tab and Bonnie Beall.
Reyes Gomez, Ashley Green, Catherine Lengua of Douglas Elementary School for Growing STEM Curriculum with Soil-less Science–$5,000. STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Educators goal is to teach STEM through hydroponics, a method of growing plants in water, and through aquaponics, a method of growing plants and fish together. Educators will receive professional development about small scale aquaponics, then with students, engineer hydroponic and aquaponic systems, and use them to learn about STEM by engaging in fun, hands-on activities. Funding made possible by Capital One Bank.
Sandy Elzner and Cathy France of Bell Elementary Global Communications Academy for Maximum Engagement with iPad Minis–$5,000.00. Educators at Bell Elementary will acquire ten iPad minis to facilitate student-led journalism, broadcast journalism, and creative multimedia projects. Students will use the devices in all areas of development to completion of their projects which will then be shared school-wide and possibly in the community. This project will enhance student engagement and help strengthen and support writing, reading, research, technology and public-speaking skills. Funding made possible by Capital One Bank.
Teri de Jong, Diana Garen, Amy Mahurin, Brenda Corely, Kimberly Lobo, Brooke Parker and Julie Danielson of Boshears Center for Exceptional Programs for StoryBox Sensations–$4,978.85. StoryBox Sensations is an innovative approach to teaching that will allow students with diverse disabilities to experience literature through multi-sensory learning. Through the use of an array of sensory media (tactile, visual and auditory) this unique hands on approach will immerse students in age-appropriate stories and books from multiple subject areas, circumventing the limitations caused by their disabilities. Each story box will contain an assortment of items and materials that will make the books come alive for the students.
Nikki Aubuchon, Derek Johnson, Patricia Johnson, Katy Lee and Johnnie Patton of Caldwell Elementary Arts Academy for Shrek the Musical Jr.-$5,000. The fine starts team of Caldwell Elementary will produce a Broadway Junior musical. The production will utilize a cast and crew of over 70 students in grades 3-5. It will incorporate theatre arts, music, dance and art. Student participants will experience every aspect of producing and performing in a Broadway style production, while teachers, parents and local community members have the opportunity to join together in producing the show. Four free shows, two matinee and two evening, are performed for Caldwell, other TISD students, teachers, parents, family, friends and the community at large.
Kari Williams and Sandy Elzner of Birdwell Elementary School and Bell Elementary Global Communications Academy for Rosetta Stone: Teachers Need Spanish Too!–$850. Grant funds for this project will purchase Rosetta Stone licenses for teachers to use as a training tool to learn Spanish.
Jane Neal, David Woods, Terrie Rambo, Susan Stubblefield and Marilynn McKinley of Robert E. Lee High School for The Outdoor Classroom—$3,116.06. The Outdoor Classroom is envisioned to be an area where all of Robert E. Lees students and teachers may enjoy an out-of-doors class experience during pleasant weather. The space will include benches for seating underneath a pergola for shade; three garden beds full of native, drought resistant plants, as well as a Monarch butterfly way station; and a circular, wooden stage area designed for presentations and group projects. A quiet, unused plot of land on RELs campus has been selected adjacent to the campuss I Wing. Funding made possible by Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins and Mott, LLP.
Melissa Happi Byrne of Clarkston Elementary School for Walking for Wellness–$1,000. The physical education department of Clarkston Elementary will purchase 60 DigiWalker Pedometers to be used by every student during PE. Each pedometer will allow student to assess their own fitness level throughout the 50 minute class by calculating their distance, steps taken and calories burned. Mathematics will be incorporated into the PE lessons. Funding made possible by Northeast Texas Public Health District.
