SAISD Foundation Innovative Grant recipients announced

SAISD Foundation Innovative Grant recipients announced

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 1, 2011 – The ingenious ideas of nearly 30 SAISD educators soon will reach fruition, thanks to funding from the SAISD Foundation.

Through a total of $88,333 – one of the largest amounts ever given since the foundation was formed in 2007 - recipients will be able to finance specially-designed lessons for their students.

Innovative Grant recipients were announced during a Sept. 1 news conference at Brackenridge High School. The grant for that campus – along with one given to SAISD’s math department to purchase teaching equipment for high schools Districtwide – were given in honor of the late Chris McBrayer, who taught science and math there for 16 years.

After the announcement, recipients learned of their selection from balloon-carrying foundation trustees, SAISD School Board members, alumni and local supporters through surprise visits to their classrooms and offices.

Since the fall of 2007 the SAISD Foundation has awarded total of $498,723 through 489 innovative and new teacher supply grants, benefiting 52,885 students.

Innovative Grant recipients for the 2011-12 school year and their projects are:

● Bonham, Desirre Madrid — “Chewing Our Way into Learning Fun.”
● Mission, Heather Garza — “State of the Art Reading.”
● Young Women's Leadership, Maria Mogas — “Design: From Clay to Ceramics.”

● Beacon Hill, Katherine Cantu-Sickle — “Sci Kids.”
● J.T. Brackenridge, Margie Danial — “El Jardin Verde.”   
● Briscoe, Steven Ryan Slattery — “Discovering Math in Physical Education.”   
● Collins Garden, Virginia Peche — “Stay Fit with Music Fun.”   
● Fenwick, Cassandra Grim — “Drumming Up Success as Students and Citizens.”   
● Foster, Cassandra Grim — “Drumming Up Success as Students and Citizens.”   
● Highland Hills, Jacqueline C. Martinez — “Elementary Strings Project.”   
● Hillcrest, Heather Lee-Fisher — “Ready, Set, Move to Succeed.”   
● Hirsch, Danielle Elizondo — “Mad Mathematicians!”   
● Hirsch. Cynthia D. Gardner — “Inquiring and Gifted Minds Want to Know!”   
● Riverside Park, Jennifer Walker — “Pre-Kinder Garden.”   
● Woodlawn,    Melissa Treviño — “Rising to the Top.”

● Harris, Denise R. Rodriguez — “Life Science and Real World Connections.”
● Twain, Natalie Leader — “Thinking and Writing through Art Appreciation.”

● Brackenridge, Bethany Fleming — “Learning Through Hands-on Models.”
● Burbank, Michele Wisniewski — “All That Jazz!”
● Burbank, Maria S. Barron — “Write NOW! A Writer's Conference.”
● Burbank, Lawrence Scott — “Studio Club After School Initiative.”
● Edison, Dawn Palmquist — “Laboratory Safety, Skills and Equipment, OH MY.”
● Fox Tech, Carol R. De Leon — “History of the World in Six Glasses.”
● Highlands, Chris Castro — “Standing on the X.”
● Sam Houston, Justin Howard — “Online Geography Tutoring Project.”
● Jefferson, Billy Odam — “Oilgae: Biodiesel From Algae.”
● Lanier, Tamara Ford — “Who's Smartest in Career Technology?”

● Library Media Services, Laura Alfaro — “B.O.N.E.S. Reading Clubs.”   
● Mathematics, Derrick Thomas — “Activ-Coaches Initiative.”   
● Special Education, Chris Quintanilla —“Girls on the Run of Bexar County.”