The Aransas Pass ISD Education Foundation surprised teachers across the district on Thursday morning. The APHS cheerleaders and drumline accompanied APISD administration, Board Members, and Education Foundation members as they presented eight Innovative Teaching Grants totaling over $14,000.
Each year, APISD staff members have the opportunity to submit applications to the Education Foundation for Innovative Teaching Grants. Applications are reviewed by the Foundation anonymously and the grants awarded are those that are designed to encourage, facilitate, recognize, and reward innovative and creative instructional approaches to accomplish program objectives, goals, and initiatives of the Campus Action Plan. Grants are offered for programs which are not already funded as part of the district or campus budget.
A.C. Blunt Middle School teacher Yolanda Cribb, who was awarded two grants totaling $3,242 for a digital microscope and a STEAM museum, said the opportunity to apply for these grants "is very valuable because it allows us to get supplies and give the students experiences that we otherwise would not be able to do with local monies".
H.T. Faulk Elementary School teacher Joni Austin, who was awarded $3,909 for a smart board, expressed her gratitude, saying "My kids deserve this ... I grew up here, I want the best for our kids, I want our want our kids to very successful ... I'm just very thankful I was granted this opportunity".
Since its founding in 2022, the APISD Education Foundation has awarded $37,880 in Innovative Teaching Grants, and $54,018 in passthrough grants, totaling $91,898 in two years.
For more information about the Aransas Pass ISD Education Foundation, visit their website at www.apisdeducationfoundation.org.