San Angelo Schools Foundation’s Grants to Teachers Awards Over $94,000 to SAISD Difference Makers

Fueling creativity among San Angelo ISD educators, the San Angelo Schools Foundation awarded $94,577 in grants to our Difference Maker educators and campuses as part of their Grants to Teachers program this November 2023. 

“San Angelo ISD cannot thank the San Angelo Schools Foundation and their Grants to Teachers program enough for their support of our educators' innovative ideas for growing future-ready graduates,” said SAISD Executive Director of Communication Molly Johnson Turk. “These grants help our teachers in fulfilling creative and impactful ideas to support the educational experience of our students. SAISD congratulates all our educators and campuses who were selected to receive a grant.” 

The San Angelo Schools Foundation was established in 1989 with the goal to support innovative academic opportunities for children of San Angelo ISD. Each year, the Schools Foundation focuses efforts on their two major projects: Grants to Teachers and Scholarships to Students. Last year the Foundation also added a new Bright Ideas Initiative as another avenue of giving available to SAISD employees and non-profit organizations. 

The Grants to Teachers program works to support SAISD educators by providing classroom grants and all-campus grants with the hope of enriching the education of SAISD students. This year, the Schools Foundation awarded grants to 66 SAISD educators as well as 11 All-Campus grants impacting 22 campuses.

For over thirty years, the Schools Foundation has been making special projects and initiatives possible by providing critical funding and support.  Examples of projects and initiatives supported by Grants to Teacher funds include the Central High School Maker Lab complete with a 3D printer, Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) camps, Osmo interactive game systems for iPads, BAM (Books a Month) literacy initiative, and percussion instruments for special needs students and more. This year, SAISD educators and all-campus grant awardees were awarded funds by the Schools Foundation to bring a number of projects and resources to SAISD campuses including: 

• STEM lab materials to spark creativity in science, technology, engineering and math,
• Literacy enrichment supplies including book challenge supplies,
• Tools and enhancements for our Career and Technical Education classes including floral design and culinary arts, 
• Supplies for a sensory room to support social-emotional well-being, and
• Enhanced music engagement through musical instruments such as digital grand pianos, ukuleles, and recorders. 

To apply for Schools Foundation grants, SAISD teachers and campuses complete applications detailing interesting, imaginative and innovative ideas to inspire and motivate students and align with the SAISD learner profile attributes. The applications are then reviewed by the Schools Foundation, and awardees determined. With the help of the grant funds from the Schools Foundation, ideas are brought to life on the campuses. San Angelo ISD is greatly appreciative of the Schools Foundation’s decades of commitment to our SAISD students, support of our mission and our educators and many contributions to improving our San Angelo community.

Current Board members for the Schools Foundation are President Stacie Elkins, Treasurer Renee Orr, Secretary Robin Trainer, Fundraising Chair Cori Stewart, Fundraising Co-Chair Jean Ann Owens, Executive Director Noreen B. Carpenter, Bryan Abernathy, Liz Albert, Jenna  Barnes, Carol Barton, Richele Boyd, Dana Burke, Amy Crispin, Amy Dougan, Mike Ford, Marissa Giesecke, Krispin Graves, Lauren Harper, Mackenzie Holik, Ashley Honea, D’Ann Kuhlmann, Tara Langerhans, Tess Mathews, Lara Slaughter, Teri Thomason and SAISD Representative Molly Johnson Turk.

The Schools Foundation extends gratitude to their sponsors and community partners that contributed to Grants for Teachers. Save-the-date, the Schools Foundation is busy planning their 7th annual spring fundraising event “Bid & Boogie” that will be held Saturday, March 23, 2023. 

For more information about the San Angelo Schools Foundation, the “Bid & Boogie” fundraiser and how to join in their mission or contribute, visit www.saschools foundation.org, email saschoolsfoundation@gmail.com or like and follow the Schools Foundation on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

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