Innovative Ideas Classroom Grants - Fall 2009

On December 17, 2009, the Seguin Education Foundation (SEF) Prize Patrol surprised 13 educators awarding 13 grants totaling almost $30,000 - $6,000 of which was donated by the SeguinISD Technology Department.

In late August, teachers were invited to apply for a grant in one of the two following categories.

• Tier 1 Innovative Grant – awarded to encourage, facilitate, and reward innovative instructional approaches. Tier 1 grants up to $1000 are awarded to individual teacher-initiated programs or projects. Tier 1 grants up to $5000 are awarded to campus teams, departments, and district-initiated programs or projects.
• Tier 2 Classroom/Campus Improvement Grant – awarded to enhance and augment classroom instruction and promote campus improvement in areas not allotted in regular budgetary funds or not eligible for reimbursement from other sources. Tier 2 grants up to $500 are awarded for tools, projects, and/or activities that would improve academic achievement.

The grants awarded include:

Read It Forward
School: Seguin High School Freshman Center
Teachers: Jamie Aven, Melissa Ronning

Teaming up with TEKS and Technology
School: Seguin High School
Teachers: M'Liss Haas, Tori Beutnagel

Seguin High School Observatory
School: Seguin High School
Teachers: Donna Boelter, Timothy Springer

Getting Smart with Smartboards
School: Jim Barnes
Teachers: Diana Farris, Debra Andrews, Stacey Johnson, Terrie Cox

Bringing Innovation into the Classroom
School: AJ Briesemeister
Teachers: Deborah Belanger, Leonard Molina, Joann Anderson, Sara Elley, Anna Phillips, Deborah Friesenhahn, Gage Hernandez, Kay Garza

"We are excited to be able to bring more technology into the classroom for the Math students of AJB. We are grateful to the Seguin Education Foundation for granting our department this grant. Thank you very much." -- Deborah Belanger

Rainwater Harvesting System
School: Burges Alternative School
Teachers: Thomas Corbin, Daniel Valdez

"What a great surprise for us to win the Seguin Education Foundation award for the Rainwater Harvesting System we plan to install here at Lizzie M. Burges Alternative School."

"We will be able to utilize the construction of the system to show the students several cross educational paths; Math, Geometry, Science, building trades."

"Being able to do several different experiments on the water and what the effects of the water has on trees, grass and the garden should be a great boost to our teaching efforts. Hopefully, this will be the first of many "green" systems we will use here at Burges and at other Seguin ISD campuses." -- Thomas Corbin

Saegert Wellness Center
School: Saegert
Teachers: Erik Silvas, Pete Silvas

Mindbenders, Inc
School: Saegert
Teachers: Paul Stadtmueller

Stylus Pen
School: Saegert
Teachers: Shirley German, Renee Johnson

Intra-District Assistive Technology Lending Lab for Students with Disabilities
School: Weinert/Jefferson
Teachers: Connie Bond, Julie Sheldon, Cynthia LeBoeuf, Cynthia Avery

"The grant will allow us to pilot a program in our functional academic units to enhance their educational experience by providing technology based accessibility tools. This will provide them greater access to education. The funds have removed the monetary barrier to increase and expand the ways we can serve our children. This is a success for the district. The district and the kids are the winners." -- Connie Bond

"The goal is for this grant to grow." -- Cynthia Avery

"This is great! We would like to thank the Seguin Education Foundation for this grant." -- Cynthia LeBoeuf

"This is just the beginning. I’m very excited. It’s something we have talked about for a long time. The trainings we have been going to have prepared us to utilize the tools that the grant will provide." -- Julie Sheldon

"Our children will greatly benefit from this opportunity. The grant levels the playing field for kids with disabilities to participate in educational activities." -- Kim Schlichting

"What a wonderful opportunity for our students. Our special education department works very hard to serve and meet the needs each of our students. It is exciting to see their enthusiasm in receiving the Seguin Education Foundation Grant." -- Rebecca Marsh

Building Fluency with iPods
School: Patlan
Teachers: Amanda Hunt

"I am so honored and thrilled to have been awarded a grant this year. I believe fluency is such a big part of teaching at this age and will help make the students better readers, writers and all around learners. I am so excited to start working with iPods on fluency when we get back from the break!" -- Amanda Hunt

iPod Read Alouds
School: Patlan
Teachers: Melina Leon

"I was blown away by the amazing energy of the band, and by the warm congratulations offered by central office, then the clapping and cheering from Patlan students as I paraded around showing off my giant sized check. When my students heard the news they started jumping up and down. They already enjoy listening to stories over and over on my own iPod. They'll be able to do so much more with several. I am blessed that I work for a district that rewards creativity in the classroom. 2010 will be a great year to motivate and keep the interest in reading for all my students!" -- Melina Leon