Spring ISD Education Foundation Brings Over $23,000 For Innovative Learning Programs
You wouldn’t think that a school principal would want to have people with signs and noisemakers shouting and whooping their way through the hallways of the building, but they are always thrilled to make an exception for the members of the Spring ISD Education Foundation.
About a dozen foundation members traveled by school bus to seven campuses, delivering more than $23,000 in teacher grants. Teachers with ideas for innovative learning initiatives apply for the grants, and the Education Foundation’s board members select which ones they can fund.
Executive Director Sandra Scott said that the Foundation is a diverse group that just wants to enrich student learning in Spring.
“We are made up of folks that have worked in the district, concerned parents, business owners, and former educators. We have our community partners that we have invited out today and we want them to see first hand what we are doing in Spring,” said Scott.
The raucous group brought $1,824 to Tanya Berry and Laquisha Knowles at Wells Middle School for their initiative to enrich reading experiences and promote literacy with a program called Puppet Tales and Storybook Trails.
Another stop at Link Elementary School combined a grant award with a mini reunion.
Librarian Joshua Wilson and Fifth-Grade Teacher Phillip Shasteen were awarded $2,033 for their program, Empowering Student Learning – Tech Enhanced. The grant will increase the number of Chromebooks in the library and will enhance student’s literacy and technical skills.
During the visit, Foundation President Debra Beeman and Board of Directors member Gloria Marshall discovered that Shasteen was a former student of theirs.
“Gloria Marshall was my principal at Spring High School when I was a student back there in 2002 to 2006. And Ms. Beeman was my math teacher when I was a freshman in high school.
It was crazy, I had not seen Ms. Beeman in years,” said Shasteen.
Shasteen said that he wanted to return to Spring after completing his education.
“I just love the area,” he said. “It just feels like home.”
Link Elementary Teacher Chelsi Johnston applied for a grant called Coding our Futures – Need to Hear. Her students are learning computer coding skills but needed headphones to get the most out of their lessons. The Foundation delivered a check for $308 to make that happen.
Sais Sharpe was surprised with $1076 to establish a student journalism club at Roberson Middle School. The new club will develop critical skills in writing, interviewing and media production for a project called Razorback Reporters – Igniting the Voice of Our School Community.
A grant award for Exploring the Universe Through Science, Reading and Writing brought Booker Elementary teachers Marelys Acosta and Christopher Thompson a big check for $2615. The teachers can now launch some space-related science and literacy activities, culminating in a field trip to NASA.
At Momentum High School, teachers Aaron Boudreaux, Sais Sharpe and Christina Ayers were awarded $4943. Their mentoring program, Productive Reminders of Gentlemen/Girls Reaching Exceptional Social Standards, will provide guidance and support around students at nearby elementary and middle schools.
The Foundation wrapped up its tour at Spring ISD’s Family and Community Engagement Center with a huge gift of $10,000. This money will allow the district to continue to host two Empowerment and Leadership Summits for area students.
Over a thousand students will benefit from the two events–one for boys and one for girls. Spring ISD Family and Community Engagement Executive Director Tranita Carroll explained what they bring to the children who attend.
“We really pour into them. We focus on leadership development, college and career readiness, and social and emotional support,” said Carroll. “The kids look forward to it every year, they really enjoy it and we could not do it without the education foundation sponsorship.”
This will be the fourth year of sponsorship for this event from the Foundation.
The Spring ISD Education Foundation collects funds through special events, district employee donations and their annual Golf Tournament, which will tee up at Northgate Country Club on October 21.
For over thirty years they have been funding innovative teacher grant applications and sponsoring student scholarships.
Foundation President Debra Beeman remarked that everyone really enjoyed the chance to hand the big checks over to the teachers during the day’s campus bus tour.
“It’s just a wonderful day,” said Beeman. “It’s a great day to spend $23,000. So 23,000 reasons why we do this. It’s just awesome.”
Source: Spring ISD
