A $4,186 grant was awarded for “Growing Our Future,” which will teach students about sustainable agriculture through hydroponics, vertical farming, and composting. (Lindale ISD Education Foundation/Contributed Photo)

From Staff Reports

LINDALE — The Lindale ISD Education Foundation recently awarded $40,263.57 in grants to Lindale ISD teachers to fund innovative classroom tools and learning experiences.

These funds will directly benefit students across the district, enhancing their educational opportunities.

“The Lindale ISD Education Foundation is proud to announce the following recipients of this year’s Education Foundation grants,” said Glenn Davis, president of the Lindale ISD Education Foundation. “The outstanding teachers of Lindale ISD work tirelessly to enrich our children’s education every day. With the awarding of these grants, they will enhance our children’s future. I praise and give thanks to the community, businesses, and individual donors that join us in this vital endeavor for our children’s future!”

On Tuesday morning, teachers were surprised with their grant awards during the Grant Patrol, a lively celebration that parades through school hallways to honor the recipients. The Lindale High School Star Steppers, cheerleaders, mascot, donors, administrators, and volunteers joined in, distributing funds for several innovative projects.

“This is the best time of the year for the Lindale Education Foundation,” said Courtney Sanguinetti, executive director of the Lindale ISD Education Foundation. “Our board members and volunteers work extremely hard throughout the year to raise enough funds to be able to give like we do. To see it all pay off with the excitement of the students and teachers is definitely our reward. We are so thankful for the teachers who applied for these new learning tools, and we are excited to see them in action.”

The Lindale ISD Education Foundation is a 501©(3) organization that provides funding for classroom projects and programs that are not covered by the district’s operating budget. The foundation is supported through donations from individuals, businesses, and corporations.

“We are so thankful for our donors and the Lindale community who make all of this possible,” Sanguinetti said. “These students deserve a chance to excel beyond the classroom, and the projects funded by the Education Foundation help to do just that. Our teachers’ dedication to our kids and school district is what makes LISD one of the best.”

Since awarding its first grants in November 2009, the Education Foundation has provided $505,373.71 in funding for hundreds of classroom projects across LISD. Teachers and aides submit grant applications for projects that extend beyond standard curriculum, offering students enriched and unique learning experiences.

Spring 2025 grant recipients

A $4,536.63 grant was awarded to Veronica Nussbaum and Duane Walton for their project “Let’s Get Physical with Sensors,” which will provide ninth through 12th grade physics students with Vernier probes to collect data on complex physics concepts, including speed, sound, current and energy.

A $2,073.99 grant was awarded to Derek Dukes and Justin Mason for their project “Launching into a Better Way to Golf,” which will provide golf students with a mobile launch monitor and golf simulator to analyze data and improve their skills.

A $4,186 grant was awarded to Kathryn Hudman, Cole Geesling, Casey Jones and Tayler Manley for their project “Growing Our Future,” which will teach students about sustainable agriculture through hydroponics, vertical farming, and composting.

A $948.97 grant was awarded to Kelley Dickerson and Casey Wynne for their project “Empowering Creativity and Vocational Skills: 3D Printing,” which will provide ninth through 12th grade CBI and vocational classrooms with a 3D printer for hands-on learning experiences.

A $9,094.12 grant was awarded to Casey Wynne for the “Inclusive Playground Initiative,” which will install handicap-accessible playground equipment at ECC, CSE and VPE, promoting social inclusion for special education students.

A $1,090 grant was awarded to Stephanie Dilley for the project “Zooming in on Science,” which will supply microscopes for kindergarten students, giving them hands-on opportunities to explore science concepts.

A $1,175.76 grant was awarded to Susan LeJeune for her project “STEM is Snap,” which will allow fourth grade science students to explore electricity through SNAP circuits in an interactive and engaging way.

A $2,544.10 grant was awarded to Tonya Parker for her project “Moving Minds: Growing Through Gross Motor Play,” which will create a gross motor play area at Lindale Early Childhood Center to enhance students’ physical and cognitive development.

A $5,859 grant was awarded to Neda Morrow and Tommy Mallory for their project “Great Things Come in Small Batches,” which will give high school students hands-on experience in the printing industry using white toner printers, heat presses and cutting machines.

A $4,855 grant was awarded to Leah Vent, Brett Maddox and Emily Hines for their project “Go Direct: Gathering Data to Enhance Science Labs,” which will provide eighth grade science labs with pH sensors, motion detectors, force plates and temperature probes.

A $3,900 grant was awarded to Ryan Wilhelm for the project “Weather Safety for Lindale ISD,” which will provide the district with real-time weather applications to improve safety decisions for severe weather events, including lightning delays and winter road conditions.

For more information on how to support the Lindale ISD Education Foundation, visit www.lindaleisdfoundation.net.