The Spring ISD Education Foundation was spreading smiles and celebrating educators on Nov. 6 as its annual “Grant Express” delivered a total of $15,948 in grants to teachers in seven district schools for projects designed to enrich student learning.

The grants will give educators the opportunity to bring creative classroom ideas, hand-on learning experiences, and new opportunities to life for students across the district.

At Momentum High School, Roxane Farrar, an English teacher in the Achieving Success Alternative Program (ASAP), received a grant to help students explore college and career pathways through visits to Lone Star College, Universal Technical Institute, and Tulsa Welding School.  

The experiences will give students a firsthand look at the opportunities awaiting them after graduation, while introducing them to  career paths they may not have previously considered.

“Our campus motto this year is ‘Destination Graduation,’” Farrar said. “This grant helps us take that mission one step further by showing students what awaits them after they earn their diplomas.”

Ayesha Ahmad Burriss, principal of Momentum High School, said the opportunity reflects the commitment of the campus’s staff to helping students envision a future beyond high school.

“Now we have the funds to be able to go visit these places, and our kids can go and explore and see all the things that exist outside of Momentum,” Ahmad Burriss said. “This opens up opportunities and makes it very real for our students.”

While students at Momentum will be exploring possibilities beyond high school, students at Eickenroth Elementary School will be given the opportunity to access their creativity right at their fingertips. 

Music teacher Julie Croce-Gonzalez was celebrated for her dedication to creating meaningful learning experiences through the arts. Principal Takelia Carter said the recognition reflected the creativity and commitment Croce-Gonzalez brings to her students every day.

“Ms. Croce-Gonzalez consistently creates pathways for our students to be creative and connect to the world through the arts,” Carter said. “She deserves recognition like this today and every day.”

The focus on meeting students’ individual needs also carried over to Twin Creeks Middle School where Chrystal Luna, structure behavior specialist, received funding to support students in her department. Luna plans to survey students to learn more about what supplies and resources they feel they need, then use the grant funds to make those needs a reality.

Over at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, a grant will help fund a mobile STEAM museum, bringing science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics directly to students, giving them hands-on opportunities to explore these subjects.

Additional grants will support a variety of learning experiences for students across the district. Some funds will be used to put more books into students’ hands to encourage them to keep reading while funds will go to music and sports programs. 

For the Spring ISD Education Foundation Executive Director Sandra Harper Scott, seeing those ideas become reality is what Grant Express is all about.

Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar, who joined the Foundation in surprising teachers with their grants, echoed that enthusiasm and praised educators for their dedication to creating meaningful learning experiences for students.

Beyond classroom grants, the Foundation supports graduating seniors through scholarships and provides resources that benefit campuses and departments across the district. Since its inception, it has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to teachers.

To learn more about the Spring ISD Education Foundation and ways to support its work, visit www.springisdfoundation.org.