The CSISD Education Foundation celebrates its annual Grant Patrol by surprising teachers with grant funds they applied for earlier this fall.
Nov. 17, 2023— The College Station ISD Education Foundation surprised district teachers with more than $325,000 in grant funding at its annual Grant Patrol on Thursday, Nov. 16. The celebration marked $2.5 million in total grants awarded to teachers since 1999.
This year, 72 grants will fund impactful programs in the areas of career and technical education, fine arts, leadership, STEM, literacy, health, special education and more. Exciting projects include drones, computer building, little Olympics, law enforcement tools, and equipment for theater and arts. Grants will benefit over 14,000 students and 2,000 teachers and staff at 19 campuses in CSISD.
Students from Spring Creek Elementary School thank the College Station ISD Education Foundation for awarding teachers with grant money.
“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 Staci Cocanougher, Board President of the Education Foundation. “Grant Patrol is an exciting day to surprise teachers and support their creative teaching efforts.”
Foundation directors, staff, donors, cheerleaders, mascots and drumlines rode school buses to visit each campus in the district and celebrate teacher received a grant. Grant recipients were surprised with a check and cheering presenters to mark the occasion.
Teachers and administrators from A&M Consolidated Middle School celebrate receiving grant money from the College Station ISD Education Foundation with Foundation representatives, cheerleaders, mascots, and drumline members.
“The Education Foundation has generously supported the district for over 25 years,” said CSISD Superintendent 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 824 teacher grants totaling $2.5 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 Caldwell Country Chevrolet, Conlee-Garrett Moving & Storage, St. Joseph Health, and Van Stavern Small Animal Hospital. Founder Sponsors are Amarillo National Bank, Brazos Spine, Culpepper Realty, H-E-B, Kent Moore Cabinets, Rife Law Firm, and VLK Architects. 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.
College Station High School teachers receive more than $40,000 in teacher grants from the College Station ISD Education Foundation during the annual Grant Patrol event.
The Education Foundation accepts grant applications annually in the fall from district teachers and staff for the development and implementation of innovative teaching programs. Grants are awarded for programs that are not otherwise funded by tax dollars. Grant projects are selected by a committee comprised of board members and curriculum staff.
The list of grant recipients can be found at the following link: 2023 Grant Patrol List