Six Katy ISD Educators Awarded 2025 Fund for Teachers Grants for Global Learning Adventures
Six educators from Katy ISD will soon pack their bags and passports for immersive, international professional development experiences as recipients of the 2025 Fund for Teachers fellowship. The competitive national program empowers preK–12 teachers to design self-directed learning experiences around the globe—with the goal of bringing inspiration and deeper understanding back to their classrooms.
This summer, a record 357 teachers across the U.S. will transform $1.625 million in funding into experiential learning opportunities across 79 countries on six continents, thanks to the Houston-based nonprofit Fund for Teachers. This year’s recipients represent the 25th cohort of Fund for Teachers Fellows.
Among the local honorees are four educators from Jeanne Coleman Support Annex and two from Ursula Stephens Elementary in Katy ISD:
- Suzanne Smith, Jeanne Coleman Support Annex
- Brittany Spurlock, Jeanne Coleman Support Annex
- Carolina Conn, Jeanne Coleman Support Annex
- April Burdette, Jeanne Coleman Support Annex
- Melissa Bryant, Ursula Stephens Elementary
- Stacy Slater, Ursula Stephens Elementary
The Jeanne Coleman team will travel to Australia, where they will explore the continent’s biodiversity, Indigenous cultures, and artistic heritage to develop innovative teaching approaches for students with chronic or terminal medical conditions. Their aim is to create lessons that both engage and uplift students facing complex life circumstances.
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Meanwhile, Bryant and Slater will follow the Fairy Tale Route in Germany and Denmark, tracing the stories of the Grimm Brothers and Hans Christian Andersen. Their journey will inspire hands-on STEM and literature activities, bringing fairy tales to life through science, creativity, and narrative exploration in their elementary classrooms.
“Teachers are at the heart of shaping not only students’ academic trajectories, but often their social and emotional well-being, as well,” said Karen Eckhoff, Executive Director of Fund for Teachers. “We believe this high calling merits validation and support, which we provide by funding fellowships that ultimately inspire teachers’ enthusiasm for student engagement and extend their longevity in the profession.”
Supporting Self-Designed Teacher Growth
What sets Fund for Teachers apart is its belief that teachers know best what they need to grow. Each year, the nonprofit invites educators nationwide to submit grant proposals that address learning gaps in their classrooms. Chosen individuals are awarded up to $5,000, and teaching teams may receive up to $10,000, to pursue meaningful learning opportunities outside the traditional workshop or seminar.
Since 2001, the organization has invested more than $39 million in over 10,000 teachers, funding global adventures that fuel innovation, cultural understanding, and enriched curriculum.
For the Katy ISD educators selected this year, the opportunity is more than just a professional honor—it’s a chance to explore the world with purpose and return with a renewed sense of mission.
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Local Impact, Global Perspective
Katy ISD, known for its academic excellence and diverse student body, continues to benefit from educators who bring the world into the classroom. Whether exploring Indigenous environmental practices in the Australian outback or decoding folklore in European villages, these six teachers will return with tools, stories, and experiences that make learning more dynamic, inclusive, and memorable for their students.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
