The Alvin ISD Education Foundation Winners Wagon brought an 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, Eli Lisscutz.
Sherina O’Neal and Christi Strange. Grant recipients from Federal and Special
Programs are Jamie Neugebauer, Dana Abramczyk, Hona Armstrong, Andrea
Dean, Amber Wilson, Janet Hasse, Ellyn Coate, Janell Hart, Darren Stillwell and
Michelynn Salinas. The Hasse Elementary recipients were Laura Lipschutz and
Daisy Gutierrez. The Walt Disney Elementary recipient was Ronna Clawson.
Stevenson Primary had three recipients including 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 including 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, 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. From Savannah Lakes Elementary Miranda
Freitag, Ashley Larche and Amanda Jaramillo were the grant recipients.
"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."
Additionally, the INEOS ICAN Foundation awarded the Foundation a grant of
$4,400, 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 solson@alvinisd.net.