Grants Awarded
Students Reached
Educators Awarded
Schools Reached
Numbers reflect School Year 22-23 to date
The SAISD Foundation is committed to expanding students’ experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. A key way we do that is by awarding grants to our teachers and those who are in our schools every day. As an independent 501 c 3 that is a part of the SAISD family, we are able to work closely with our campus leaders and educators to fund what is the best fit for their students and their campuses. From classroom mini-grants to whole school principal grants, together we are expanding experiences and opportunities for our students every school day! Here we highlight some of our talented teachers and what they are implementing both in the classroom and afterschool through our educator grant program.
If you are inspired by the SAISD teachers you read about and want to help, here’s how.
Mr. Robles-Leon
Crockett Academy
The Classroom of the Future Can Start TODAY!
“Having this project implemented would mean a great deal to me personally because it would give my students access to new and innovative learning experiences that could have a profound impact on their future success. Knowing that others are willing to invest in my students and support their education is incredibly rewarding, and it motivates me to continue pushing for new and creative ways to enhance their learning. As the saying goes, “Planting trees whose shade you’ll never sit in” is a powerful reminder that the work we do as educators and advocates for our students has the potential to create positive change that extends far beyond our own lifetimes.”
Coach Sarabia & Mr. Abbate
Ball Elementry
Music for Motivation, Sound for Socialization & After School Involvement Initiative
“Having an Innovative Sound System that plays music during class motivates the students to workout harder and they have more fun during PE class. It will also enhance the sound and make a difference at our assemblies, shows and guest speaker visits. It makes a difference when students can hear the Fitness Gram (state-mandated test for {Physical Education) cadences and when students can hear clear concise instructional directions.” – Coach Sarabia
“We want to give them an outlet to work out the stressors of their life in a positive manner.” – Mr. Abbate
Mr. Garcia-Roman
CAST Med High School
Outdoor Classroom: Let the Adventure Begin!
“I’d like to create an outdoor classroom where we can take learning outside. If we want to launch water rockets or test water samples, we can do it from our outdoor classroom. Using the outdoor classroom as a greenhouse, students can learn to use green energy sources to power the space. This would create a wonderful place for learning opportunities at CAST Med High School.”
Ms. Rojas
Smith Elementary School
Math Manipulatives & Games
“First and foremost thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my grant. My students will truly benefit from each and every resource that was funded through this Mini Grant and we are ecstatic to begin using them. Your donations have truly made an impact on the remainder of the school year for my students and I. They will be more engaged and they will feel important because they know other people besides their teacher have contributed to their learning.”
Mrs. Montana
Schenck Elementary School
Pre-K Trike Club/Tykes on Trikes
“The kids are excited and fighting to join the club! We’ll be doing so much learning and building connections. Doing fun new things like this is what makes me love teaching. Thank you again!!”
Ms. Westerfield
Advanced Learning Academy
Building Literacy Through Theater
“I’m so excited that our new puppet theater has been fully funded! I can’t wait to see what amazing stories our students create within this new library space! Thank you so much! There aren’t enough words to express what it means to our school when we are so well supported!”
Young Men’s Leadership Academy
Minecraft
This room may look like a regular computer lab, but in this Minecraft Computer Lab, students are working to design virtual spaces and places to share with younger students at YMLA. With a new server and place and most of the firewall issues resolved, we can’t wait to see the worlds they create and invite the young men across their campus to explore! This program is an exciting way to build on an interest of the students and develop their skills with something they enjoy.
Riverside Park
Learning Lab
At Riverside Park, their whole school Principal Grant involved redesigning a large empty indoor area into an interactive learning lab. From robotics and 3D Printing to a campus news station, this area packs in incredible opportunities for students to expand their learning through new experiences. In this space, students are even encouraged to write on the glass walls! The school also installed a book vending machine on the first floor where students are invited to use coins they earn to “buy” books to take home.
MLK Academy
Theater Enhancement
MLK’s full name is Martin Luther King Academy for Arts Integration, but without essential theater equipment and the funds to purchase the use of screenplays, the theater program was not able to provide the experiences they wanted for their students. With the investment by the SAISD Foundation in a whole school $10,000 Principal Grant, equipment like that pictured here was quickly put to use, scripts and copies were purchased and the program was well on its way! Happening in Covid times, the enhancement to this program provided excitement and energy in challenging times.
