Foundation surprises teachers with grants

Dozens of Plano ISD teachers were taken by surprise in their classrooms Wednesday when the Plano ISD Foundation Grant Patrol delivered more than $100,000 directly to instructors for innovative instructional programs.

Seven cars, provided by Park Place Lexus, drove volunteers to 32 campuses, where more than 100 teachers were presented with grants ranging in size from $240 to $1,500.

Derrick Brookins, Plano Senior High choir director, was showing students steps to a tap dancing routine when a group of school board and foundation members, bearing pom-poms and noisemakers, entered his classroom and presented him with a $1,500 grant.

The money will help the school's choir department pay for a commissioned piece by renowned composer David Childs for Brookins' class to perform at the American Choral Directors Conference in March. More than 800 choirs across the country competed to be part of the conference, and Plano Senior was one of eight schools -- and the only in Texas -- to be selected.

"I love my job," Brookins said. "I love my kids. Anytime you are recognized for doing something you love, it's a great thing."

Before heading to the campuses, Carlos Sastoque, Plano ISD Foundation executive director, told a crowd of school board trustees, foundation members and community partners that the event is not only about teachers, but the unique and innovative ideas they bring to education.

"Many people work in the box, and many people are able to work outside the box," he said. "Well, our district and our teachers, because of your support for the grants to education programs, are able to work outside of the box."

The grants were made possible by the charitable donations of the foundation's corporate partners. Teachers were able to apply for the grants online at the beginning of the school year, and selections were narrowed down by a team of judges including trustees, community members and sponsors.

"One of the most important things is the imminent needs that our teachers identify," Sastoque said, "so these gifts will actually support what has been identified by each teacher as the needs in their classroom and their students."

The grant patrol, which is in its eighth year, is one of several fundraising events held annually by the foundation. The Ski Plano Gala, which is also sponsored by Park Place Lexus, is another.

Other programs the Grant Patrol helped fund this year include Raiders on the Move, an after-school program for special education students at Bowman Middle School, and Forman Elementary School's fourth-and-fifth grade Future Engineers program.

School Board President Tammy Richards said the highlight of the event for her was seeing the wonder in the eyes of teachers and students.

"The teachers are so appreciative," she said. "... The ones who win want to share it with the other teachers, so really it's a win for the whole school."

Superintendent Richard Matkin extended gratitude to the trustees, business partners, foundation representatives and other volunteers who participated in the program, adding that the impact of the grants extends far beyond the teachers and students.

"It's a signal to the school community, as you go through that building, that you care," he said. "... We just want to say thanks to you today for taking time to express to them how much it means to be a teacher."

The Plano ISD Education Foundation was formed in 1993. Its Grants for Educators program has raised more than $795,000 to date, and more than $8 million in total has been raised by the organization to benefit Plano schools.

Current Rating: 0 of 0 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****

 Plano Apartments
 Plano Attorneys
 Plano Auto Dealers
 Plano Auto Parts
 Plano Auto Repair
 Plano Beauty Salons
 Plano Car Rental
 Plano Dentists
 Plano Doctors
 Plano Flowers
 Plano Hotels
 Plano Insurance
 Plano Loans
 Plano Mortgages
 Plano Movers
 Plano Pizza
 Plano Realtors
 Plano Restaurants
 Plano Storage
 Plano Tax Preparation
 Plano Travel
 Featured
 More...