Education Foundation board members, district administrators, and Robert E. Lee cheerleaders and drum line members award grants to Dalia Torres, Janie Santos, and Samantha Hernandez at Mirabeau B. Lamar Elementary School.

By: Dr. Anna Espinoza, Director of Education Foundation & Partnerships

This May, Goose Creek CISD teachers were awarded 55 innovative teaching grants totaling $187,930.76 for the 2024-2025 academic year at the annual Surprise Patrol event. The Surprise Patrol, composed of Education Foundation board members, district administrators, and financial supporters, visited campuses to announce the selected teachers.

The event featured volunteers accompanied by the drum line and cheerleaders from each campus’ feeder pattern, creating an exciting atmosphere as they revealed the winners.

Sheila E. Liles Early Learning Academy is where the day began for the Ross S. Sterling feeder pattern, where volunteers surprised Jarea Keiser, a pre-kindergarten teacher. Ms. Keiser received a $5,970 grant for her project, “Motor Lab,” which aims to provide students with resources to create a safe space for physical and sensory activities. The Motor Lab is designed to enhance students’ reflex, tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, visual, and auditory systems, ultimately improving their ability to navigate and perform tasks.

Since its inception in 2009, the innovative teaching grant program has distributed over two million dollars to support unique student learning opportunities not typically funded through traditional funding. This year, the selection committee, led by Susan Harper, Education Foundation Vice President of Programs, reviewed over 140 applications. Grants were awarded based on merit, with all identifying information about teachers and schools removed before the evaluation process.