KISD’s annual teacher convocation was held on Monday, August 7, 2023, in Bennie Enis Gymnasium at Krum High School. Krum ISD Education Foundation board members Amanda Millican, Lori Sullivan, Amanda Cole, and Bradley McBride attended the ceremonies to present the 2023 grants for Technology & Instructional Initiatives and Teacher Scholarships.

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Elisa Lawson of Blanche Dodd Elementary was awarded an Instructional Initiative Grant in the amount of $1,150 titled “Hands on Drums” to start a drumming program in her music classroom.

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Debra Hardy of Krum High School was awarded an Instructional Initiative Grant titled “The Quest for Deeper Learning” in the amount of $4,000 to purchase additional Vernier LabQuest Minis allowing the science department to increase the number of students able to graph data by an additional 2 to 3 classes. The use of the LabQuest Minis allows the students to do statistical analysis of graphed data that would otherwise be unobtainable. This grant will help improve students graphing skills as well as increase their ability to read and analyze data from the graphs.

 

Along with the help of our partner, the CoServ Charitable Foundation, KEF was able to award Krum Early Education Center teacher Mandy Martinez a grant in the amount of $4,550 for a Decodable Readers Library. This Instructional Initiative Grant will help establish a library of decodable texts for her students. Decodable texts are used in beginning reading instruction to help support the development of proficient readers.

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Shelley White of the Krum Early Education Center was awarded funding in the amount of $1,600 to purchase instruments focusing on rhythm and melody such as Konga drums, Bongo drums, floor toms, a soprano xylophone, a soprano metallophone, and dust covers for barred instruments.

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Teachers Brandi Claiborne, Christina Draper, & Ann Bagley from the Early Education Center were awarded an Instructional Initiative Grant titled “Tools and Toys for Tiny Tots” in the amount of $5,000 to purchase outdoor play equipment for our youngest Bobcats. This grant will help students develop gross motor skills such as running and climbing while simultaneously encourage problem solving and team building. It will also help teachers structure recess time to be intriguing and fun.

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Cindy Morisak was awarded a Technology Grant in the amount of $1,500 to purchase four new Apple iPads for her classroom. This grant will give students access to hundreds of eBooks within the RAZ Kids reading program, allow students to practice automaticity of math facts, and produce various multi-media assignments using video, voice recording, and age-appropriate editing software.

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And finally, teachers Carol Turner, Ryan Farris, & Justin Miller from the Middle School Band Department received a grant in the amount of $3,100. Mrs. Turner, Mr. Farris, and Mr. Miller applied for a Technology Grant to purchase an interactive portable TV. Interactive TVs have become the standard in music classrooms across Texas and it is hoped the interactive TV will help create students who are more able to manipulate technology in educational ways.

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All grant applications were reviewed and scored by the Programs and Allocations Committee after educators submitted them in February. To be eligible for consideration, the grant application must present a project that has a designated period for completion, highlights measurable objectives, and aligns with the district’s mission, improvement plan, and curriculum goals. The grant application must also describe how the success of the project will be evaluated. 

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These grants were among four different types of grants currently funded by Krum ISD Education Foundation. The purpose of an Instructional Initiative Grant is to provide funds to support educators through their instructional projects and pursuits that supplement and align with the district’s strategic plan. The purpose of a Technology Grant is to provide funds to acquire technology, to enhance technology which is already in place, and to develop skills to leverage a funded initiative in support of education reforms and state achievement. 

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In addition to the teacher and campus grants, the Foundation awarded four KEF Teacher Scholarships to educators in Krum Independent School District.

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Mrs. Heather Libick of Hattie Dyer Elementary received a scholarship in the amount of $1,500 to to pursue her Master’s degree in education majoring in reading from Sul Ross State University.

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Mrs. Megan Boone from Blanche Dodd Elementary received a scholarship in the amount of $1,500 to continue pursuit of her Educational Diagnostician certification in continuation of her Masters in Education.

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Mrs. Krystie McGraw from Hattie Dyer Elementary was awarded a teacher scholarship in the amount of $1,500 to pursue her Master’s degree in education with an emphasis on Teacher Leadership from Lamar University.

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And Mrs. Michellie Nix was awarded a teacher scholarship in the amount of $1,500 to pursue her certification as an Academic Language Therapist to work with students diagnosed with dyslexia and other related disorders.

 

Introduced in fiscal year 2017, the KEF Teacher Scholarship program provides funds to support educators in advancing their value to the District through training, certification, and higher education. The Foundation may award up to $1,500 per educator per year.

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In addition to Krum ISD educator grants, the Foundation awarded an additional $10,658 directly to Krum ISD students in the form of scholarships and grants for a total amount awarded to educators and students of $39,058.