This year’s grants will impact thousands of current and future Frenship students by funding supplies, technology, and other materials that allow teachers to incorporate innovative projects into their lessons and classrooms.
“Prize Patrol is one of our favorite events of the year,” said Tiffany Taylor, Frenship Foundation for Leadership Executive Director. “We have students from cheer, pom, and band along with the mascot, Foundation board members, administrators, and donors who parade down the halls and surprise teachers with their grants.”
Since 2013, the Frenship Foundation has provided teacher grants as a way to enhance education across Frenship ISD through monetary funds. Thanks to generous donors and community partners during the Frenship Foundation’s 20 Year Anniversary Celebration, the Foundation was able to award $65,530 to 37 grants that were submitted last spring.
These grants cover a wide range of topics and items including new books, science and math materials that encourage interest in STEM, supplies for music classes, hands-on technology for engineering students, special education materials that help develop fine motor skills, and fun activities that spark a passion for creativity and learning.
Frenship High School STEM teacher and Robotics Coach James Holloway has been on the receiving end of many Foundation Teacher Grants over the last few years for items like a 3D printer. This year, Prize Patrol and sponsor West Texas Land Guys surprised Holloway with his “Manufacturing the Future” grant for $11,320, the largest grant awarded this fall, to purchase a Computer Numerical Control machine or a CNC.
“This will help increase our manufacturing for robots,” said Holloway. “Any robotics team within our district will be able to come and work with our high school students to manufacture products for their robotics teams to help with their competitions and learning. This is a big deal for our program!”
In addition to the student spirit squads, Foundation members, and Frenship administrators, teacher grant donors also joined in the fun to help present the teacher grant checks. Their support has allowed the Foundation to successfully award hundreds of thousands of dollars to teachers over the last decade.
“These grants have a huge impact. I’ve seen so many grants over so many years and it has changed the trajectory of the kids in so many ways,” said Westwind Media Specialist Angela Howard who has received multiple teacher grants. “We are so grateful. I cannot believe how much money is given by our community to support our district. The kids are so thrilled, and we are so grateful!”
To learn more about the Foundation for Leadership, a nonprofit organization that supports Frenship ISD through Character Scholarships and Teacher Grants, visit www.FrenshipFoundation.org