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

One of the most joyful days of the year in Goose Creek CISD happened this spring when the Education Foundation hit the road for its annual Giant Grant Giveaway. With cheerleaders, drumlines, and surprise visits, we celebrated the incredible teachers who were selected to receive this year’s Innovative Teaching Grants. The smiles, the hugs, and the excitement reminded us exactly why this work matters.

This year, the Education Foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $195,844.85. From more than 140 applications, 44 were selected through a blind scoring process. The remaining five were special mini grants sponsored at last fall’s Evening of Excellence gala by Awards & Engraving, Beacon Federal Credit Union, and Councilwoman Laura Alvarado.

These grants give teachers the opportunity to try something new, bring lessons to life, and reach students in meaningful ways. Shannon Chance at Ashbel Smith Elementary received a grant for Chords of Change: Ukuleles to Inspire Young Minds, a project that introduces ukuleles into the music classroom to teach rhythm, pitch, and chord structure while encouraging student collaboration and preparing them for future fine arts instruction. Robert Koonce at Ross S. Sterling High School was awarded funding for Sim-Rescue Auto Extrication System, which will give EMT students hands-on training with realistic scenarios to build the skills and confidence needed to perform life-saving procedures in real-world emergencies.

Since the program began, the Education Foundation has awarded more than two million dollars directly into Goose Creek classrooms. Every dollar reflects the belief that our teachers are full of impactful ideas, and that when we invest in them, we are investing in the future of our students, our schools, and our community.
As we begin the new school year, we invite you to join us in celebrating and supporting the educators who go above and beyond to make learning meaningful. Together, we are making a difference with every idea, in every classroom, and for every student.