College Station, TX -- College Station ISD Education Foundation will surprise district teachers with over $300,000 in grant funding at its annual Grant Patrol on Tuesday, November 12. The Grant Patrol celebration will kick off at 8:45am at South Knoll Elementary School at 1220 Boswell Street, College Station.
This year, 75 grants will fund impactful programs in the areas of career and technical education, fine arts, STEM, literacy, health, special education and more. Exciting projects include drones, construction science, agricultural initiatives, emergency response training resources, music equipment and more. Grants will benefit over 14,000 students and 2,000 teachers and staff at 19 campuses in CSISD.
“The Innovative Grant Program has a goal to inspire and reward creative instructional approaches in the classroom that enhance the educational experience for students,” shared Mike Newkham, Board President of the Education Foundation. “Grant Patrol is an exciting day to surprise teachers and support their creative teaching efforts.”
Grant Patrol is celebrated with Foundation directors, staff, donors, cheerleaders, mascots and drumlines that ride school buses to visit every campus in the district. Each teacher who receives a grant is surprised with a check and cheering presenters to mark the occasion.
“The Education Foundation has generously supported the district for over 25 years,” said CSISD Superintendent Dr. Tim Harkrider. “Their financial partnership encourages our staff and supports our strategic improvement plan by empowering leading-edge initiatives in our schools.”
The CSISD Education Foundation has awarded 889 teacher grants totaling $2.8 million since its inception in 1999. Generous businesses and community members make these grants possible through annual donations and special events. This year’s Pillar Sponsors are Amarillo National Bank, Conlee-Garrett Moving & Storage, Keating Auto Group, St. Joseph Health, Van Stavern Small Animal Hospital, and VLK Architects. Founder Sponsors are Brazos Spine, Brazos Valley Floor & Design / Premier Countertop Design, Culpepper Realty, H-E-B, Kent Moore Cabinets, Rife Law Firm, and Stylecraft. The CSISD staff also has supported the Education Foundation by pledging over $200,000 through the employee giving campaign this year.
“We are humbled and grateful that our entire community has come together to support the education of local students,” said Teresa Benden, Executive Director of the CSISD Education Foundation.
The Education Foundation accepts grant applications annually in the fall from district teachers and staff for the development and implementation of impactful teaching programs. Grants are awarded for projects that are not otherwise funded by tax dollars. Grant awardees are selected by a committee comprised of board members and curriculum staff.
