With schools back in session, the Junior Leaguers and Texas Instruments spread the love of teachers with a distribution of grants to 64 Dallas Independent School District educators on Wednesday, September 7 at the JLD headquarters. On hand for the celebration was First Man of Dallas Education DSID Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa. Here’s a report from the field:
On Wednesday, September 7, the Junior League of Dallas (JLD), along with presenting sponsor Texas Instruments (TI), gathered at Junior League of Dallas headquarters to present 54 deserving Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) educators with grants of up to $2,000 each through the “Grants for Innovative Teaching” (GFIT) program. Sponsors included: Texas Instruments, The Hillcrest Foundation, The MoneyGram Foundation and The Agnes Cluthe Oliver Foundation.
JLD President Bonner Allen began the ceremony by welcoming everyone with opening remarks and explaining the history of the GFIT program. Now in its 25th year, the JLD Signature Project encourages excellence in education by providing funding for special projects that otherwise would not be possible within school budgets and has distributed approximately $1.66 million to Dallas ISD educators, impacting students district-wide. Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa spoke on the importance of the “Grants for Innovative Teaching” program before turning it over to Texas Instruments Foundation’s Tracy Steiner for presenting sponsor remarks and Jaclyn Hall, MoneyGram Foundation coordinator.
Following the remarks, “
Grants for Innovative Teaching” Chair Beth Boyd presented just over $93,000 to 54 educators to fund projects that address reading and literacy enrichment; diversity; special education; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); or arts and culture enrichment across one or more grade levels. She also acknowledged Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy teacher William Adkins for being a 10-year grant recipient. This year, Mr. Adkins’ project “Bangkok to Hanoi: A Journey Through Southeast Asia” is designed to build four important global competencies that include: a desire to investigate the world, ability to identify alternative perspectives, skills to communicate across cultures and readiness to take action locally and globally. Adkins will engage students by having them blend technology and traditional art to express their own “great adventure” through a video documentary and a ceramic mural.
After the ceremony, teachers, JLD members and guests celebrated at a reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and sweet treats by dessert sponsor Susie Cakes. McShan Florist provided flower arrangements for the event, and Half Priced Books provided the winning teachers with gift bags.
“For 25 years, the Junior League of Dallas has been promoting excellence in education through the ‘Grants for Innovative Teaching’ program,” said Beth. “Through this Signature Project, JLD has been able to award grants to Dallas ISD teachers who wish to provide students with new opportunities for learning, and it is exciting to see the impact it has had over the years.”
* Photo credit: Rhi Lee