The Garland ISD Education Foundation (GEF) started the new year by surprising staff with cash. The foundation delivered a record $40,000+ in grants and scholarships Jan. 18-21, helping educators make their dreams come true. GEF grant delivery teams surprised teachers, support staff and administrators with community-funded grants, traditional GEF grants, and continuing education scholarships.
Everything from ukuleles to advanced reader pens for dyslexia to a book vending machine will enhance schools across Garland, Rowlett and Sachse thanks to these grants. In addition, staff working on advanced degrees were awarded scholarships to further their education and impact student success.
Staff members that received grants expressed gratitude and excitement.
Dave Schaefer, South Garland High School teacher and choir director won a $1,000 grant.
“I applied for the grant to help replace some of the older pianos in our practice rooms. I want to replace those with more reliable electronic pianos that will last much longer. We will not have to worry about the maintenance cost for tuning and other sorts of repair. Thank you very much,” Schaefer said.
Delcin Wells, Heather Glen Elementary School assistant principal won a $3,000 grant.
“We are striving to make sure that our students are calm and ready to be able to learn. This money will help us create a calm and ready space for our students. It will also be a place where the teachers can also practice some calm and ready exercises. It is going to be a soothing place for anybody that needs a few moments to collect themselves. I am so excited I get to spend money,” he said.
Ashley Cox, Roach Elementary School second-grade teacher received a $1000 grant.
“We are going to use this money to bring science and math to life. We have a lot of manipulatives and puzzles and I’m very excited that my kids will get to see their TEKS in real form,” Cox said.
Rowlett High School special education teacher, Charity Griffin, won a $78 grant.
“This is so exciting! This money will go toward PEC materials, which is picture exchange communication system. My nonverbal kids can use a picture and ask for what they want. We start super basic, so we are going to start with Oreos and sodas. This is going to help getting materials for the communication part of the system,” she said.
Learn more about GEF and how you can help its mission to enrich education at gisdedfoundation.org.
About: The Garland ISD Education Foundation was established to support the students and staff of the Garland Independent School District, which encompasses the north Texas communities of Garland, Rowlett, and Sachse. The mission of the foundation is to create and foster partnerships with the community to generate funds that support the education of our students to positively impact the future.
The foundation is overseen by a Board of Directors, comprised of a cross-section of the communities served by Garland ISD. The foundation operates independently, but in cooperation, with the district.
Mission:
The Garland Education Foundation was established to support the students and staff of the Garland Independent School District, which encompasses the north Texas communities of Garland, Rowlett, and Sachse.
“To create and foster partnerships with the community to generate funds that support the education of our students to positively impact the future.”
We support educational excellence by providing funds for grants and scholarships not otherwise funded by Garland ISD. The grants we award empower our teachers to advance new approaches to teaching that broaden the learning experience for all students. We also award scholarships to students, teachers and paraprofessionals to support them in achieving their highest potential.