Weatherford Independent School District
Grants to WISD Teachers
Since its creation in 2000, the Weatherford ISD Education Foundation has been making teachers’ dreams come true by funding grants to WISD teachers who submit proposals for innovative classroom projects.
On Wednesday, the Education Foundation Board of Directors were on hand to announce the 2018 grant awards at Weatherford ISD’s Staff Recognition Assembly. A total of 17 grants were funded to 50 teachers representing $63,285.
Dave Cowley, president of the Education Foundation Board of Directors, said, “There’s just nothing better than seeing the excitement on a teacher’s face when we announce they’ve received a grant. Seeing the smiles and hearing the cheers of support makes it all worthwhile. With our community’s support, the WISD Education Foundation has been able to return over $1.2 million directly to the classroom through their grant awards”.
Alan Roemer, a teacher at Weatherford High School, has received several grants over the year. When he learned his colleague Megan Whitcamp received a grant for desks with dry erase surfaces was funded. “In math class, it’s really critical to see all the steps a student takes to arrive at an answer. Dry erase desks are a perfect way for students to show their work and for me to know they are mastering the concepts taught. This is great for our students and Math department.”
The primary activity of the Weatherford ISD Education Foundation is to fund creative and innovative learning programs not typically covered in the normal school budget. Each semester, teachers are invited to apply for funding to implement these programs. To date, over $1,226,000 has been given to support these programs across all campuses in our district.
|
We love calling this grant to Cody Dotson and Randy Hardin our "Jimmy Don" grant! If you're a fan of Fixer Upper, you'll understand.
Students in this class gain valuable experience using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) to design, machine, and laser engrave their projects using the CNC Shark HD 4 Machine and laser engraving module provided from an Education Foundation grant.
Students at David Crockett Elementary, from Kindergarten to 5th Grade, have been learning how to use their new Sphero Minis provided by the Education Foundation!
Students had the opportunity to draw paths that represent code for their Sphero Mini to follow, and older students will soon begin coding the Spheros in the library using a block-based drag and drop interface.
Next they'll collaborate with Fine Arts! Crockett's "Coding from the ART" grant funded by the Weatherford ISD Education Foundation, will use the Sphero Minis to combine Art and Technology, allowing students to see the creative side of Computer Science while making learning fun! Students will paint with the Spheros, code them to dance to the beat of a song, and even work together to create an artistic light show.