On Friday, November 29th, the Kennedale Education Foundation (KEF) held its annual Pride Patrol walk, celebrating the dedication and hard work of local educators who were awarded grants for innovative classroom projects.
The process for receiving these grants begins well before Pride Patrol. Teachers submit detailed proposals for projects that align with the KISD Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan, with an emphasis on initiatives that support student achievement, teaching excellence, sustainability, and innovation. These projects must be set to begin in the 2024-2025 school year and are not funded through the district’s regular budget.
Once proposals are submitted, they are reviewed and ranked by an independent panel of graders, who assess the potential impact of each project. After months of preparation and evaluation, the winning teachers are surprised during Pride Patrol when KEF and their campus administration visits their classrooms with giant checks, joined by the KHS Cheer team and Drumline!
This year, KEF awarded over $25,000 in grants to 18 teachers across all five KISD campuses. These grants will help bring a variety of exciting projects to life, benefiting students throughout the district.
Huge congratulations to the 2024-25 grant awardees:
Arthur ECC
Angela Greenwood: Musical Moments
Delaney Elementary
Michelle Reed: Magnifying our World
Patterson Elementary
Kristi Murrell: History Hands-On
Shontta Stevens : Project Surround Sound
Kennedale Junior High School
Makayla Shrum: Hands On Music
Taylor Farris: From Textbook to Table: Enhancing Biology Education with Fetal Pigs
Kennedale High School
Linda Medrano: Claw and Order
Lindsey Hammonds: Strength & Spirit
Erick Escutia & Monica Stephens: Leer, Hablar, Escuchar ¡El Trío que Te Hace Brillar!
Kylee Robinson: Lab of the Living Dead!
Kristi Hullett: Let There Be Light!
Rachel Brooks: The Kat Tech Protection
Melissa Bearden: Enhancing Learning with Colorful Figures, Models, and Processes
Abel Rico: Bridging the gap
Kathryn McBroom: Literary Launchpad: Propelling STEM Education with Science Fiction
Jenna French & Heather Lake: Robotics Work-Smart Storage Grant
Kelli Wilson & Meghan Lockwood: Sonic Synergy
Cherie Charles: Enhancement of Patient Care Simulation Experience
To date, the Kennedale Education Foundation has awarded over $400,000 in grant money to KISD educators.
Following the recognition of this year’s grant winners, KEF is excited to announce a new initiative for the upcoming year. For the first time in many years, the foundation will be offering scholarships to graduating seniors. This opportunity is made possible by the tremendous success of KEF’s recent fundraising event, A Night in Vegas. The funds raised during the event have allowed KEF to expand its support for students in a meaningful way.
Seniors and their parents should be on the lookout for more details soon, as KEF prepares to roll out the scholarship application process. This is an exciting opportunity for KHS seniors, and KEF looks forward to supporting them as they take the next steps in their educational journeys.
Stay tuned for more information, and make sure to share this news with your senior students and families!
If you are interested in joining KEF, please reach out to Jordan Dunlap at [email protected]. The foundation would be delighted to provide you with more information, answer any questions you may have, and discuss how you can contribute to their mission.
Kennedale Independent School District is a public 4A school district based in Kennedale, Texas.
For more information about Kennedale ISD, contact Jordan Dunlap at (817) 563-8055 or [email protected].
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