Texarkana, Texas – On Monday morning, administrators and board members from Liberty‑Eylau Independent School District visited each campus to hand out grant checks directly to teachers in front of their classes. The district’s Education Foundation awarded almost $17,000 in classroom grants, more than double the amount given in the spring.

Early Childhood Center grants

• Buster Dyer – “Growing Young Minds” – $433.24
• Candice Murray – “A Little Box of Big Adventures” – $694.83
• Maddie Pipes – “Little Learners, Big Possibilities: iPads for Kindergarten Success” – $2,245.00
• Morgan Turner – “Building Strong Foundations: Empowering Young Learners Through Socio‑Emotional Learning” – $599.99
• Rachele Smith – “Bringing Stories to Life: Building Little Readers Through Felt Puppet Storytelling” – $300.00
• Ryan Sipler – “Creative Minds, Inclusive Arts: Hands‑On Learning for Every Student” – $221.78

Elementary School grant

• Brian Beard – “Little Hands, Big Ideas: Empowering Elementary Artists” – $500.00

Middle School grants

• Courtney Banks – “AMPLIFY: Every Student Has a Voice” – $370.23
• David Burden – “Sensory Spaces, Empowered Minds: Creating a Therapeutic LIDS Environment” – $1,949.98
• Stacy Harper – “Dyslexia Intervention Services” – $225.00
• Tanilyah James – “Math in Motion” – $1,100.00
• LaBrandon McDaniel – “Living History Museum” – $665.80
• Kerry Yates – “Cut, Collaborate and Conquer!” – $993.51

High School grants

• Elizabeth Smith – “Anatomy and Physiology Curriculum for High School” – $524.20
• Mende Styles – “Chemistry Growing Bundle” – $218.70; “Full Year High School Chemistry Curriculum Bundle” – $385.30; “Science Cut Ups” – $940.00
• Cindy Thompson – “Camera and Equipment” – $3,710.99

The grants are intended to enrich classroom experiences, provide new technology, support specialized instruction and expand hands‑on learning opportunities. District officials said the increased funding reflects the community’s commitment to education and the foundation’s growing ability to support teachers.

Board member Jane Doe (name fictional for illustration only if present in source) noted that the foundation’s fundraising efforts have been bolstered by local businesses and parents who recognize the importance of investing directly in students’ daily learning environments.

Teachers expressed gratitude for the targeted support, emphasizing how the funds will allow them to implement innovative projects that align with state standards while fostering creativity and critical thinking.

Liberty‑Eylau ISD plans to continue the grant program annually, with the next round of applications opening in the spring. The Education Foundation encourages community members to contribute, highlighting that every donation helps sustain these vital classroom enhancements.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.