The Alvin ISD Education Foundation’s Winners Wagon brought infectious enthusiasm as it made surprise visits to teachers across 33 different campuses in the middle of the school day. This initiative, aimed at recognizing and supporting innovative teaching, saw the Foundation awarding 119 Innovative Teaching Grants totaling $107,771.
The Winners Wagon, accompanied by Foundation board members, Alvin ISD officials, school board members, parents, and community partners, made its rounds on school buses, spreading joy and excitement among staff members.
Students representing Alvin High School, Manvel High School, Shadow Creek High School, and Iowa Colony High School added to the celebration with their presence as band members, cheerleaders, and mascots.
Staff members at each campus were presented with giant checks as grants were awarded to deserving teachers and staff.
Carol Nelson, Superintendent of Schools, expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “The students brought the spirit and the fun to the Winners Wagon, and they let everyone know that the Winners Wagon was on campus.” Sheila Olson, Executive Director of the Education Foundation, emphasized the importance of community support in enabling the Foundation to continue its mission.
“It is always exciting to surprise teachers and provide extra money to implement innovative ideas in their classrooms. It is because of support from our community for the Alvin ISD Education Foundation Turtle Race that we are able to award grants each year,” she said.
Grant recipients from Alvin High School include Kelley Smith, Amy Aaron, Shannon Geletka, Tina Peterson, Carolyn Kimble, Tiffany Marchand, and Eli Lisscutz.
Sherina O’Neal and Christi Strange. Federal and Special Programs grant recipients are Jamie Neugebauer, Dana Abramczyk, Hona Armstrong, Andrea Dean, Amber Wilson, Janet Hasse, Ellyn Coate, Janell Hart, Darren Stillwell, and Michelynn Salinas. Laura Lipschutz and Daisy Gutierrez received Hasse Elementary grants. Ronna Clawson received Walt Disney Elementary grants.
Stevenson Primary had three recipients: Shanna Geissen, Shelli Adams, and Tammy Robinson. Grant recipients at Nelson Elementary were Danica Garza and Dana Dressel.
Harby Jr. High recipients were Jeri Simpson, Julianne Bailey, and Mary Whitlock.
From Alvin Elementary, the grant recipients were Marisela Nitschmann, Clara Rooth, and Raquel Vargas. Alvin Junior High had six recipients, including Trina Facciolli, Lilia Calvo, Kristie Steele, Kelly Gonzalez, Elizabeth Rodriguez, and Amy Louthan. Passmore Elementary recipients were Megan Goodman, Angela Olivarez, Madeleine Fitch, and Lucy Flores. Grant recipients from Fairview Jr. High were Jessica Jackson, Stephanie Torres, and Kay Shisler. The two recipients at Mark Twain Elementary were Melina Aguilera and Bonnie Murray.
Manvel High School recipients were Pennie Yancey, Jacob Smith, Theron Tindall, Theresa Lewis, Demetria McNeil, and Chadisty Pauly. Jacquline Swaney and Ashley Harmon were grant recipients at Hood Case Elementary. Mark Twain Elementary had six recipients, including. Megan Malone, LaTisha Spiller, and Brittany Baldwin were grant recipients from Meridiana Elementary.
Iowa Colony High School recipients were Brad Harrington, Amy Borgemenke, Lauren Chaclan, Javet Forges, Christopher Sheldon, Michaela Bratsch, and Carrie Jeffries. Bel Sanchez Elementary had two grant recipients, Madelyn Harrison and Amie Borden. Nichols Mock Elementary grant recipients were Kate Hebert, Emma Bassett, Ashley Fuller, Codi Lucenti, Stephanie Jacks, and Caren Martin.
Grant recipients at Manvel Jr. High were Jenny Morgan, Robert Borden, Patricia Womble, and Holly Knight. Jackie Caffey Jr. High teachers who received grants were Courtney Moore, Priscilla Roberts, Francis Roberts, Tabitha Da Silva, Tiffany Bell, Eric Carr, Deshonda Davis, and Classie Wilson. E. C. Mason Elementary grant recipients were Karla James, Brooke Urdiales, Lawrencia Castle Finn, Sarah Robicheaux, and Melissa Dare.
The grant recipients at Alvin Jr. High were Kelly Gonzalez, Elizabeth Rodriguez, and Michelle White. Shadow Creek High School grant recipients were Kristen Vollman, Emilee Cavazos, Lauren Heckler, Medeline Lacamu, Kimberly Simon, Rafael Balderas, Jenna Duff, Alyssa Vazquez, Deepak Verma, Jimena Arroyo-Soto, and Cody Bullard.
The grant recipients at Shirley Brothers Elementary were Victoria Matthews, Leah Rubin, Dalisia Webb, Paiger Ricker, Kayla Castillo, Blayne Saldana, BJ Garcia, Jill Mowles, Kelly Russell, Patricia Coleman, Alnae Wyatt, Holly Taylor, Sheri Dominique, Lauren Kocian, Jessica Portillo, Erica Adams, Katherine Lindstrom and Kimberly Jones. J. B. Hensler College and Career Academy grant recipient was Tenille Pakoejoe, and the McNair Jr. High grant recipients were Misty Kettler, Brandi Kiekel, Jide Bell, Patricia Murphy, Brandi Greaney, Shreena Punwaski, Lindsay Brown and Veronica Foreman. Ten staff members at Wilder Elementary received grants, including Elyse Watson, Lynne Gillie, Celia Garza, Mary Lynn Mills, Julianne Fletcher, Amanda Boyd, Ralph Presley, Sandra Godfrey, Barbara Connelly, and Taylor Mai.
The Glenn York Elementary recipient was Jolanta Smolen-Santana. Nolan Ryan Jr. High grant recipients were Jeremiah Ermenc and Teresa Fisher, and Marek Elementary recipients were Katrina Alexander, Meliza Evanson, Janet Molina, Natrice Moore, Jennie Koikkal, Amaris Paul, Esther Rodriguez, and Nicole Dugas. The Winners Wagon surprised six teachers at Dr. Red Duke Elementary with grants, and the recipients were Jacque Breed and Ashley Champion.
The grant recipients at Pomona Elementary were Jennifer Zamora, Krista Browning, and Vincenta Yeagar. Don Jeter Elementary grant recipient was Cory Jo Leggett, and the Rodeo Palms Junior High recipient was Barbara Love. Ashley Larche and Amanda Jaramillo were the grant recipients from Savannah Lakes Elementary Miranda Freitag.
“We are proud of all our grant recipients this year and can’t wait to see their grants in action,” said Lorilyn Wynn, President of the Alvin ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors. “The Winners Wagon is one of the best days in Alvin ISD; we love making teachers happy and supporting their dreams.” The INEOS ICAN Foundation also awarded the Foundation a $4,400 grant designated for Innovative Teaching Grants focusing on STEM. This partnership enabled the funding of five additional grants, further enriching educational opportunities within Alvin ISD.
Staff members will utilize the grant money to implement various initiatives that support student achievement and success at their respective schools.
The Alvin ISD Education Foundation remains committed to fostering innovation and excellence in education, empowering teachers to create dynamic learning environments for students.
For more information about the Alvin ISD Education Foundation and its initiatives, please visit https://www.alvinisd.net/o/educationfoundation or contact Sheila Olson at solson@alvinisd.net.
