Cheerleaders lead the caravan down the hallways of Tyler ISD’s Career and Technology Center during the Grants for Great Ideas event on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. (Cory McCoy/Staff)

Cheerleaders and a drum line from John Tyler and Lee high schools thundered through the halls of schools all over Tyler, helping make educators’ dreams come true on Tuesday.

Cheerleaders from Lee and the JT drum line led a caravan of community members partnering with the Tyler ISD Foundation through 21 campuses to present teachers and staff with big checks during the annual Grants for Great Ideas program.

Tyler ISD Foundation Executive Director Betsy Jones said she was excited to surprise the teachers and their classrooms with the good news.

“We are so excited today, we are so thankful to the Tyler community for all of their support,” she said. “It’s because of their generosity that we will be awarding 37 Grants for Great Ideas for over $90,000 (total).”

Jones said the grants are designed to help fund innovative and creative ideas that the district or state’s budget wouldn’t normally cover. Their goal is to help teachers and staff bring ideas to fruition that support student enrichment and achievement.

“These are things that really allow us to support new opportunities for our districts and students,” she said.

Altogether more than 8,000 students will benefit from the ideas being funded this year. It’s also the largest disbursement in the past decade, with the Tyler ISD Foundation funding $80,969.57 and Tyler ISD Fine Arts adding $9,147.

Grants being funded range from a multipurpose medical response skills station for EMT and Health Sciences students at the Career and Technology Center to an event hosted by cosmetology students to help disadvantaged students and a Play in the Park set so the Lee theater department can put on plays at local parks and campuses.

Birdwell Elementary

“STEAM, Shapes, and Space: S3”

Amount awarded: $800

Provide funds to support the new STEAM Effective Practices program, which will provide high-quality, arts-integrated, TEKS-based classroom experiences for first-grade students.

Educators: Bethany Moody, Kelsey Sparkman, Kemle Fallad, Sheree Poisson, Valerie Brooks, Susana Castro, Rachel Montgomery

Birdwell Elementary

“Virtual Reality Immersion” — second and third

Amount awarded: $5,000

Utilize virtual reality technology to allow students to experience and explore the world in a meaningful way without leaving the classroom.

Educators: Jennifer Haecker, Rafael Tomas, Lisette Valle, Mercedes Romero, Jennifer Thompson, Odon Yun, Layne Fumo, Lizet Zavala, Ricardo Esparza

Named grant partner: Capital One

Bonner Elementary

“Google Expeditions”

Amount awarded: $5,000

Utilize Virtual Reality technology to allow students to experience and explore our world in a meaningful way without leaving the classroom.

Educators: Jacqueline Flach, Ricardo Alvarez

Boulter Middle School

“Media Arts for Kids”

Amount awarded: $2,500

Allow students to produce digital art, product advertising, product promotion, social media advertising and school projects using the latest STEAM approaches.

Educators: Tim Johnson, Tabatha Reese

Boulter Middle School

“In the Know — Boulter News”

Amount awarded: $ 2,500

Creation of a student-led visual and written news program that would allow students to work collaboratively to gather news, interview community members and attend virtual tours of landmarks and colleges.

Educators: Meshayla Kemp, Deborah Scott, LaVoya Franklin

Caldwell Arts Academy

“Print Party”

Amount Awarded: $4,386

Creation of a new printmaking studio program that will allow students to learn screen printing, poster design, lithography and stationery.

Educators: Bobby Markle, Angela Jennings, Jennifer Vaughn, Katy Lee

Named Grant Partner: A.S. Genecov Foundation

Career & Technology Center

“Graphic Design & Animation”

Amount Awarded: $705

Students redesign and 3D print a reinvented/redesigned spoon to help infants and assisted-living adults.

Educators: Michael Sturrock

Career & Technology Center

“Multipurpose Medical Response Skills Station”

Amount Awarded: $5,000

Construct a skills station for students to obtain real-life experience in treating patients with medical injuries or illnesses.

Educators: Mike Baker, Matthew Singleton, Sam Becze, Michel Sturrock

Named Grant Partner: Christus Trinity Mother Frances

Career & Technology Center

“Creating Precious Moments & Memories”

Amount awarded: $650

Host an event to build confidence and skills among cosmetology students while providing a lasting memory for economically disadvantaged TISD students.

Educators: Kortney Zuber, Leslie Pryor, Gale Evers, Gary Brown

Dixie Elementary

“Reading Made Accessible for All”

Amount awarded: $2,159

Use an assistive technology reading tool to boost vocabulary, develop and grow phonemic awareness skills, build fluency and strengthen reading comprehension among targeted fifth grade students.

Educators: Kristina Alford, Natasha Balfour, Jasmine Owens, Sonia Gonzalez

2019-20 Grants for Great Ideas

Dixie Elementary

“Dixie Dragon Den”

Amount Awarded: $2,500

Create a multisensory room to calm and stimulate the senses of children with special needs.

Educators: Cristian Armstrong, Kim Hall, Renea Beshara, Abigal Godinez

Douglas Elementary School

“Everybody Say Cheese”

Amount awarded: $500

Creation of a photography club to teach students about taking and editing photos while supporting the First Jobs campus program.

Educators: Dana Ogden, Christy Roach, Jim Everding

Facilities Services Department

“Construction Certificate Program”

Amount awarded: $3,000

Provide high school students with practical learning experience through the 2017 bond projects for those interested in a career in construction.

Educators: Cherie Jones, Brady Beddingfield, Sam Becze

Griffin Elementary

“Coding and Art is a Good Match”

Amount awarded: $880

Integrate art into the Computer Science Coding curriculum by utilizing Sketch Kit technology with existing robotics technology.

Educator: Jesus Sanchez Hernandez

Hogg Middle School

“Hup! Two! Three! Four! Aid the Leadership Officer Training Corps!”

Amount Awarded: $2,615.05

Develop a Leadership Officer Training Corp (LOTC) program to develop leadership, team-building, physical fitness, integrity and communication skills.

Educators: Bryan Beaver, Melanie Martinez, Erasmo Garcia

Named grant partner:

Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP

Hogg Middle School

“Rockin’ the Boat! Serving Community through Musical Theater”

Amount Awarded: $2,800

Perform the musical “Guys and Dolls Jr.” while using the script as an inspiration for serving the Tyler community through volunteer projects.

Educators: Laci Reid, Erica Dossett

Named Grant Partner: Braithwaite Charitable Trust

Hubbard Middle School

“Loving to Read & Skilled in Technology”

Amount Awarded: $1,000

Create a library and technology curriculum specifically designed to meet the needs and interests of students with autism.

Educators: Nola Beard, Angie O’Rourke, Tina Saczek

Hubbard Middle School

“WORDS are POWERFUL”

Amount Awarded: $2,400.38

Utilize Chromebook technology with Neuhaus Academy online coursework to build student fluency in dyslexic classroom stations.

Educators: Shana Yeatts, Susan Cothern

Hubbard Middle School (All Campuses)

“Rose City Book Battle”

Amount awarded: $4,037.32

Encourage students to read while having fun competing with peers in a districtwide book battle.

Educators: Sarah Starr, Thurndotte Ray, Lisa Godsil, Ashten Lane, Ines Benedict, Tammy Johnson

Named Grant Partner: Cooperative Teachers Credit Union

Jack Elementary

“Innovative Learning With Osmo”

Amount awarded: $3,025.43

Utilize Osmo technology to allow students to practice reading, spelling, coding and math in a way that encourages critical thinking and collaboration.

Educators: Victoria Dennie, Morgan Davis, Jordyn Conner, Madison Fuller, Jennifer Lees, Melissa Brindley, Heather Reed, Danielle Dinger, Alyssa Land, Tiffany Dorey, Katelyn Cargill

2019-20 Grants for Great Ideas

John Tyler High School

“DNA Fingerprinting for AP Biology & Forensics”

Amount awarded: $1,250

Purchase of lab equipment to allow students to experience real micro-pipetting skills and DNA fingerprinting.

Educators: Steve Niedrauer, Marcus Williamson

John Tyler High School

“Learning Through Playing”

Amount awarded: $500

Utilize board games to develop critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, creative thinking and communication skills among English language learner students.

Educators: Wesley Sanchez, Paula Fears, Ashlene Lebron, Kelsin Santos

Moore MST Magnet School

“Differed Perspectives”

Amount Awarded: $3,293.98

Art and photography students will collaborate to build pinhole cameras from recycled materials and then take, process and display photos of campus landscapes.

Educators: Jessie Cunningham, Kyndall Luckey

Named grant partner:

Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP

Moore MST Magnet School

“Teaching Theory Through Technology”

Amount Awarded: $5,000

Utilize Chromebooks and “Breezin’ Thru Theory” software to teach music literacy and theory to 21st century learners.

Educators: Christy Chambers, Joshua Kennedy, Austin Willis

Moore MST Magnet School

“The Student Voice of Moore”

Amount Awarded: $2,500

Creation of a communications program allowing students to host video announcement broadcasts, establish a digital newspaper and learn the basic principles of A/V production, journalism and public speaking.

Educators: Daniel Gutierrez, Jessie Cunningham

Orr Elementary

“Metamorphosis”

Amount Awarded: $894.08

First grade students will participate, observe and record the life cycle of silk butterflies in real time from the time they are eggs until they become butterflies.

Educators: Eva Salas Nuez

Owens Elementary School

“On With the Show!”

Amount awarded: $906.49

Develop a love of reading and storytelling through the use of puppets, props and puppet theater.

Educators: Dianne Brown, Maronicha Lyles

Peete Elementary

“Sensory Paths”

Amount awarded: $2,250

Provide a variety of multisensory activities to improve student motor skills and cognitive thinking during hallway transitions.

Educators: Maria Godinez, Savannah Dillon, Alison Henry, Sylvia Scott, Katherine Bailey, Carmen Martinez, Cassandra Chapa

Peete Elementary

“Breakout for Education!”

Amount awarded: $275

Provide second grade students with the opportunity to solve problems in a fun and unique way using Breakout EDU games.

Educators: Katherine Bailey, Donna Cato

Ramey Elementary School

“The Mindfulness Zone”

Amount awarded: $2,687.20

Create a space where students can come to self-regulate in a safe and relaxed environment, which will allow them to focus on the present, to reset and to be successful during their school day.

Educators: Alicia Yarbrough, Cheri Bogue, Patricia Ford, Katrina Washington

2019-20 Grants for Great Ideas

Rice Elementary

“Inspiration Station – STEM Makerspace Lab”

Amount awarded: $5,000

Foster collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking skills in students through a STEM Makerspace Lab equipped with appropriate supplies.

Educators: Shelly Bosley, Jodie Kalas, Dee Ann Tate

Named Grant Partner: Capital One

Target

“Brainy Breakouts”

Amount awarded: $3,100

Use Breakout EDU to engage students through a gamelike atmosphere designed to support critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration.

Educators: Lisa Tillery, Amy Anderson, Kimberlie Carroll

Three Lakes Middle School

“Penmanship and Poetry”

Amount awarded: $859.15

Ignite a passion in students for the written and spoken word using the vehicles of penmanship and classic American poetry.

Educators: Chad Kisamore

Three Lakes Middle School

“Literacy Center Stage”

Amount awarded: $500

Build student confidence, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension through the use of Reader’s Theater.

Educators: Denise Jackson

Woods Elementary School

“Parents in PE!”

Amount awarded: $495.49

Purchase materials to support new obstacle course components for the Parents in PE event.

Educators: Ashley Phelps

2019-20 Grants for Great Ideas

 

Frances Cowan Gibson Grants

Two of this year’s Grants for Great Ideas are awarded in honor of Frances Cowan Gibson, who provided generous gifts to support fine arts within Tyler ISD. These grants are funded by Tyler ISD Fine Arts through previous donations by the Tyler ISD Foundation.

Moore MST Magnet School

“Dancing for a Brighter Tomorrow”

Amount awarded: $5,000

Purchase equipment to support new middle school dance, show choir, musical theater and UIL activities.

Educators: Bobi Jo Friesen, Hannah Pascual, Tricia Thorn-Leeson

Named grant partner:

Frances Cowan Gibson Charitable Trust

Robert E. Lee High School

“Play in the Park”

Amount awarded: $4,147

Construct a portable theater that can be taken to local parks and Tyler ISD campuses to bring literacy and arts education to the community.

Educators: Amanda Nail, Cynthia Stokes

Named grant partner:

Frances Cowan Gibson Charitable Trust