2020 Teacher Grants

Here are the teachers who received grants from the Foundation in 2020. Each teacher had to submit a lengthy application, and the recipients were selected by a committee. Congratulations to these teachers, and thank you for your creativity in teaching Wylie children.

1. Expanding Aural Skills Through Orff – submitted by Humberto James Loera, East Elementary.  Affects 900 Kindergarten – 4^th grade students.  Dollar Amount: $1,971.30.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase an alto and a deep bass metallophone along with protective covers and mallets for the music classroom.  Studies have shown  that young children can begin training their ears to differentiate different pitches and timbres.  With the additional Orff instruments and mallets, they will be able to enhance their musical performances with vocals and different types and sizes of percussion instruments.  Students will be challenged to channel their inner musician and channel a style of music that will overall enhance their education.
2. Writing and TX History Intersect with the DBQ Project – submitted by Ann Hurst, West Junior High.  Affects 310 7^th grade students.  Dollar Amount: $397.50.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase materials from the DBQ Project’s “Mini-Q’s in Texas History,” a program that integrates the study of primary and secondary historical documents with critical thinking strategies and meaningful writing experiences.  The program is based on research-supported best practices, covers a vast array of history and ELA TEKS, and may be scaffolded for different ability levels.  Also, the cross-curricular element of the DBQ units address the recent and forthcoming changes in the STAAR test as well as the TEKS.
3. DRUM Circle Up – submitted by Angela McKnight, East Elementary.  Affects 900 Kindergarten – 4^th grade students.  Dollar Amount: $1,989.51.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase 12 tubano drums for the Music classroom.  Drum circles are a music making activity that builds social-emotional connections that contribute to positive child development education.  While promoting a sense of community through rhythmic dialogue, group drumming is an inclusive, non-verbal and universal method to foster positive emotion and support emotion regulation. 
4. Physical Education Equipment (High School) – submitted by Margaret Lemke as a team with Mark Hathorn, Jody Harvey and Gregg Ruffin, High School.  Affects 250 9^th – 12^th graders.  Dollar Amount : $3,980.70.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase equipment for pickleball, badminton, flag football, dodgeball, soccer and dynamic workouts.  The aim for the high school physical education department is to provide a wide range of activities that will encourage students to be more physically active, learn life skills, establish communication and teamwork, and provide a safe environment where students can develop and strengthen their physical, mental and emotional health.  This grant will allow the purchase of equipment to ensure success in those areas. 
5. Operation Reading is Succeeding! – submitted by Rachel Perkins, East Elementary.  Affects 44 2^nd grade students.  Dollar Amount: $703.13.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase flexible seating options for the classroom as well as new books to add to the class library.  Flexible seating allows students to rock, wiggle and lean throughout the day which leads to better success.  The books go hand in hand with the TEKS standards introduced with new curriculum. 
6. Promoting Student Engagement through Flexible Seating – submitted by Britnee Nigro, West Elementary.  Affects 44 2^nd grade students.  Dollar Amount: $990.73.  The money from this grant will be used to develop the concept of flexible seating in a 2^nd grade classroom.  Traditional desks will be replaced with tables of varying heights and replacing traditional seats with bouncy chairs, rockers, wobble stools and others.  Flexible seating has been shown to positively impact student productivity and create a fun and more engaging classroom. 
7. Foreign Language National Professional Development – submitted by Emily Taylor as a team with Anjani Cole, High School.  Affects 600 8^th-12^th graders.  Dollar Amount:  $1,560.  The money from this grant will be used to pay for the ACTFL Conference in San Antonio for two Foreign Language teachers.  A minimum of two consecutive years of a World Language is required by Texas for all students to graduate from High School.  With this funding, these teachers will have access to more than 800 educational sessions including the most up-to-date methodologies, innovative resources and immersive experiences.  These educational opportunities will be implemented at all levels in the Spanish department. 
8. Uniqueley Ukulele – submitted by Brittany Gurganus, West Junior High.  Affects 200 students in 5^th grade.  Dollar Amount: $1,011.20.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase 20 ukuleles and 20 tuners.  The benefits of playing an instrument are far-reaching, affecting hand-eye coordination, movement, stress relief, and brain function to name a few.  The grant money will allow students to experience what it’s like to play an instrument and will also promote the learning of additional music theory concepts – some of which are difficult to grasp without hands-on experience.  Lastly, learning the ukulele will provide students with the opportunity to gain a lasting skill and hobby that could be used inside or outside of the school for a lifetime. 
9. Partial Class Set of Chromebooks – submitted by Sherri Shaw as a team with Laro Clark, East Junior High.  Affects 150 8^th grade students.  Dollar Amount: $1,894.86.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase 9 Chromebooks for 8^th grade math classes.  One of the best ways to encourage students to develop mathematical thinking skills is by offering differentiated technological instruction.   The money from this grant will allows the ability to provide this differentiated instruction to 8^th grade math students on a daily basis.  Implementation of increased technological assets will equip students with additional resources to be successful in 8^th grade and beyond to Algebra in high school. 
10. Flexible Seating for Kindergartners – submitted by Sara Bailey, Early Childhood.  Affects 22 Kindergarten students.  Dollar Amount: $729.84.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase several different flexible seating options.  Flexible seating allows students to be more alert, stay focused and work on fine motor and core strengthening. 
11. Flexible Seating in the Elementary Classroom – submitted by Hannah Feinsod, West Elementary.  Affects 44 2^nd grade students.  Dollar Amount: $966.54.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase five wobble stools, four balance ball chairs, a set of six floor cushions, a set of six plastic stools, a set of ten Bouncy Bands, and one adjustable rectangle activity table.  The money from this grant will help with student success through flexible seating in the classroom. 
12. Adventures with Books – submitted by Jessica McIntire, East Elementary.  Affects 41 2^nd grade students.  Dollar Amount: $217.37.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase 32 books.  These books will be used in conjunction with curriculum that is already in use.  The books will be used to enhance language arts skills for students by providing additional focus on enriching vocabulary and critical reasoning skills which are essential in the growth of a student’s educational career. 
13. A Hands-on Learning Experience for Early Childhood Special Education – submitted by Kristina Hadaway, Early Childhood.  Affects 20 Pre-K students.  Dollar Amount: $1,000.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase hands on materials to provide these students with more opportunities to explore and engage in learning basic skills needed to be successful in the classroom and in social communication.  These materials will allow the students to be active and more engaged in their learning which will allow students to pick up these skills easier. 
14. Get to the Facts Using Hands-On Exploration – submitted by Megan Oliver, West Elementary.  Affects 44 2^nd grade students.  Dollar Amount: $903.32.  The money from this grant will be used to create more hands-on activities to bring math, science, and social studies to life, creating life-long memories that are connected to mastering and retaining 2^nd grade content along with higher level thinking strategies to be used later in life.  When a student is participating in hands-on activities, they are putting both sides of their brain into action, forming stronger real-life connections for understanding and creating an increase in the ability to retain information. 
15. Bulldog Spirit Leadership Team – submitted by Amber Bearden, West Junior High.  Affects 20 students in grades 5-8.  Dollar Amount: $1,000.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase uniforms and spirit equipment for an inclusive spirit leader team that harnesses the power of school spirit to create a ripple effect of inclusion.  Both special ed and general ed students are invited to be on the team.  Students with and without disabilities on the team learn from one another and collaboratively seek solutions to challenges.  The money will ensure that the students are able to purchase uniforms and spirit equipment needed to boost school spirit and inspire a movement of kindness, inclusiveness and encouragement. 
16. Digital Learning in the 21^st Century – submitted by Sydney Enderlin, East Junior High.  Affects 87 5^th grade students.  Dollar Amount: $989.97.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase 3 iPads in a math classroom to enhance daily instruction and motivate students to learn.  They will master new concepts through this new medium and become more proficient in the use of technology. 
17. iPads for Learning – submitted by Kimberly A Groves-Hudson, Early Childhood.  Affects 15 Pre-K students.  Dollar Amount: $1,176.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase 4 classroom iPads.  These iPads will be used to learn with classroom coding games, OSMO as well as Marbotics.  Coding is a big part of these student’s future as studies show there will be thousands of unfulfilled jobs in this area in the future.  These iPads will ensure that students have the opportunity to be introduced to and learn these skills that will be needed. 
18. Sitting Tall – submitted by Alexis Hughes, High School.  Affects 145 9^th-12^th grade students.  Dollar Amount: $972.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase 25 stools that are 18” high to seat art students in the art classrooms.  This new seating will allow the students to be seated at their art tables with good posture keeping them upright and alert.  The stools do not allow for leaning back, placing their phones on the chair seat to watch or text and will take up less room allowing more utilization of the area.  Being less bulky, students can easily carry the stools to work in other areas on campus. 
19. Online Economics Professional Development – submitted by Nole Hadaway, High School.  Affects 125 Social Studies students.  Dollar Amount: $838.  The money from this grant will be used to help pay for two online professional development programs through the Foundation for Teaching Economics.  These two programs will provide enhanced instruction in Economics and other subjects.  The programs will provide more student-centered learning through games, simulations, and classroom activities.  He will share this knowledge with the other Social Studies teachers so all students will benefit. 
20. Sitting Tall – submitted by Lisa Camp, High School.  Affects 145 9^th-12^th grade students.  Dollar Amount: $972.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase 25 stools that are 18” high to seat art students in the art classrooms.  This new seating will allow the students to be seated at their art tables with good posture keeping them upright and alert.  The stools do not allow for leaning back, placing their phones on the chair seat to watch or text and will take up less room allowing more utilization of the area.  Being less bulky, students can easily carry the stools to work in other areas on campus. 
21. Flexible in First! – submitted by April Brannan, East Elementary.  Affects 22 1^st grade students.  Dollar Amount: $1,009.70.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase more flexible seating options in a 1^st grade classroom.  Adding adjustable-height flex seating desks will better meet the need of growing students.  Forcing students to sit and learn in identical, robotic ways often leads to unmotivated and frustrated learners which results in less success in the classroom. 
22. WANTED:  Technology for My Classroom – submitted by Tina Buckner, East Elementary.  Affects 44 students in 2^nd grade.  Dollar Amount: $917.91.  The money from this grant will purchase three iPads, cases and screen protector bundles for a 2^nd grade classroom.  The iPads are vital to the student’s success, by allowing them the opportunity to gain knowledge of new information and improve their automaticity of addition and subtraction facts.  It will boost the students’ self-esteem by giving them access to take more AR tests and reach their goals each six weeks.
23. Additional Alternative Seating – submitted by Nancy Reed, East Elementary.  Affects 22 Kindergarten students.  Dollar Amount:  $757.89.  Grant funds will be used to purchase alternative seating furniture to meet the needs of more students.  Research shows that students learn ideally in classrooms which allow for student led choices.  Flexible classrooms allow students the choice to kneel, sit, stand, roll, wobble and bounce while they work. 
24. Building Confidence in the Kitchen – submitted by Jill Harris, High School.  Affects 195 Culinary Arts students.  Dollar Amount: $989.78.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase basic baking supplies and equipment necessary for the success of the Culinary Arts program.  This program will help the students learn the skills necessary to get a job as well as learning skills to use inside the home.  This quality equipment will help ensure a successful future for the students. 
25. Alternative Seating – submitted by Jonnie Taylor, West Intermediate.  Affects 66 3^rd grade students.  Dollar Amount: $409.06.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase five wobble stools and one yoga ball chair.  This alternative seating will continue to help ADD/ADHD students by giving them an alternative to having to sit all day.  These sitting choices increase the learning success for students with a need to fidget. 
26. Physical Education Equipment (West JH) – submitted by Adrienne Ruffin as a team with Shay Cox, Garrett Cos and Amanda Gay.  Affects 600 5^th – 8^th grade students.  Dollar Amount: $3,984.80.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase more Physical Education equipment.  This will help improve the health and wellness of each student, teach life skills and activities as well as leadership skills, social skills and teamwork. 
27. Classroom Enhancement – submitted by Leah Wolfe, East Elementary.  Affects 22 Kindergarten students.  Dollar Amount: $947.94.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase two iPads and six wobble stools.  The iPads will be used during small group time to help supplement classroom instruction and enhance instantaneous feedback.  Wobble stools will be offered as a flexible seating option.
28. Physical Education Equipment (East JH)– submitted by Heather Collier as a team with Paul Mock, East Junior High.  Affects 600 5^th – 8^th grade students.  Dollar Amount:  $1,686.27.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase equipment for the new East Junior High.  There is a great need for equipment, specifically, racquet sports.  By using the new equipment, students will be introduced to two lifelong sports. 
29. Graphic Novel Books – submitted by Shyrl Martinez, East Elementary.  Affects 950 1^st-4^th grade students.  Dollar Amount: $1,840.24.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase 146 Graphic Novels to be used in the new library.  A special bookcase in the library will be designated for the Graphic Novels.  These books will help spread a message.  If a student is a reluctant reader, many times they will pick up a graphic novel and read them. 
30. Centers for a Kindergarten Classroom – submitted by Lettie Morrow, East Elementary.  Affects 22 Kindergarten students.  Dollar Amount: $815.88.  The money from this grant will be used to purchase center supplies for a Kindergarten classroom.  These centers will help the students learn social skills such as cooperation and how to appropriately express their feelings.  The supplies will also provide more hands-on and play-based learning for the students.
31. Enriching Young Minds – submitted by Tina Buckner as a team with Robin Cason, East Elementary.  Affects 80 2^nd grade students.  Dollar Amount: $1,380.58.  The money from this grant will purchase Wobble Cushions, games, labs and math helpers.  These will allow hands-on experiences gained from playtime, stations and small groups.  The grant will benefit students in math fact fluency, social studies and science curriculum and labs, as well as enrich friendships, learning and an overall classroom atmosphere. 

TOTAL AMOUNT APPROVED: $39,167.27

6 High School, 4 West Junior High, 3 East Junior High, 1 West Intermediate, 3 West Elementary, 11 East Elementary, 3 ECC

2-Workshops, 3-Music, 5-Technology, 3-P.E., 9-Flexible Seating/Focus, 1-Special Education, 3-Hands-On Activities, 1-Inclusion, 1-Home Ec, 1-Writing, 2-Books