Thanks to the community's generous donations and support of our fundraising efforts, the Fort Bend Education Foundation raised $771,448 to present to Fort Bend ISD for the Grants to Teachers and Schools program! The Foundation has awarded grants to the school district for the past 32 years, amounting to more than $36 million to date to benefit teachers, students and schools!

This year's award amount includes:

• $520,848 to fund 269 teacher and school grants,
• $43,800 for 300 New Teacher Gifts,
• $96,200 for Professional Development, and
• $110,600 in Pass-Through Grants.

Please continue to support the Education Foundation, and the teachers and students of FBISD. Donate today at https://bit.ly/3WT5yQR.

The Fort Bend Education Foundation was proud to help honor Fort Bend ISD’s 2024 Principals and Teachers of the Year at recent recognition ceremonies. During the district’s annual Teacher of the Year Banquet, FBEF Board President Andrew Cabble presented gifts to the Principals of the Year (POYS) and Teachers of the Year (TOYS).

Photo 1: Cabble (left) is pictured with POYS Dr. Felicia Bolden of Brazos Bend Elementary School and Elizabeth Williams of Baines Middle School, and FBISD Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith.

Photo 2: Cabble is shown with TOYS Sierra Joseph of Thornton Middle School and Shaquille Dixon of Sugar Mill Elementary School. (Photos courtesy of FBEF VP of Community Affairs Stacy Bynes.)

The Fort Bend Education Foundation also partnered with Whataburger to present the District Teachers of the Year with 2024 WhataTeacher Awards! TOYS Sierra Joseph and Shaquille Dixon each received a $1,000 classroom grant, honoring the positive impact they have made in their students’ lives and their communities. The grants are part of the Whataburger Feeding Student Success program that focuses on charitable giving at the intersection of food insecurity and education.

Photo 3: WhataTeacher award presentation honoring TOY Shaquille Dixon.

Photo 4: TOY Sierra Joseph receiving her WhataTeacher award.

Madden Elementary teacher Raven Davidson makes learning fun for PreK students. Awarded $1,268 to fund her grant, “Using the Power of Light to Engage PreK Learners,” Davidson purchased a color-changing light table with seating and translucent manipulatives (such as alphabet tracing tiles, math trays and letter builders) that students use for math and word play. The students build and identify letters, sort items by color and shape, practice handwriting and tracing letters, and make patterns using translucent chips. The students also use the light table to examine scientific materials, such as leaves. The hands-on materials help reinforce skills students need to succeed. 

English Language Arts teachers at Malala Elementary used their $1,394 team grant to purchase reading books to support “Literacy Power to the (Little) People.” The books are tailored to specific reading levels and relate to all content areas to provide Prek and Kdgn readers with a wide selection of titles to meet their interests and needs. The reading books also allow teachers to bridge learning gaps through intervention. During small group settings, teachers use the books to target phonics, comprehension, reading level and topic literacy skills in students. Through daily reading, the students are building their literacy skills while developing a life-long love of reading! 

To support students’ social-emotional wellbeing, Dulles Middle School gives them access to a calming space on campus. With $4,901 in funding for the “Serenity Now” school site grant, Mental Health Therapist Jesse Moreno and colleagues created a safe place for students to visit when they feel overwhelmed or stressed. The room contains comfortable seating (bean bag chairs, rockers and pillows); calming sensory items (including weighted blankets, art supplies, mood lamps, stress balls, games); and items that aid in social-emotional learning – all of which helps regulate students’ emotions so they can better concentrate and engage in class. The space also provides a comfortable setting for individual or group counseling sessions.

Theatre students at Ridge Point High School are "Improving Safety and Learning through Upgraded Equipment in Technical Theatre," thanks to a $5,000 grant. Teachers purchased personal safety equipment (such as ear and eye protection), machinery (band saw, drills and chargers) and hardware (measuring tools, hand tools and storage solutions) for students to use in the theatre’s scene shop. The benefits of the grant are threefold. Students are receiving hands-on learning experiences, while improving tech theatre skills. They are also demonstrating safety practices when using the new and updated equipment. 

Social studies students at Travis High School are “Disrupting Traditional Texts” as they read graphic novels to learn about historical figures and time periods. Given her $1,475 FBEF grant, teacher Jennifer Gurnea has curated a catalogue of graphic novels and purchased storage bins that students access weekly. The students select a novel, prepare a brief summary and join in small group discussions to share what they have learned with their classmates. The grant has helped increase student engagement in class, spark students’ interest in History and support their love of reading. 

To enhance students’ hands-on learning experiences in Aquatic Science, Teresa Reyna received a $1,483 teacher grant to fund the purchase of 10-gallon Bio Wheel Aquarium Kits, Aquarium Heaters and Ultra Gravel Vacuums to support her “Water from Land to Sea and Everything in Between” project. Students at the Reese Career and Technical Center examine the freshwater fish tanks daily and document water temperature and quality, condition of the species, and quantity of food. They also adjust the environment to accommodate new arrivals resulting from the reproduction of species. 

The Fort Bend Education Foundation provides opportunities to enrich and enhance the quality of education for all Fort Bend ISD students through its Grants to Teachers and Schools program. We touch every school in Fort Bend ISD!

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