SAN MARCOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The San Marcos Education Foundation donated $16,000 to local teachers as grants for specific projects to enhance learning opportunities across San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District.
“Supporting the San Marcos CISD teachers and staff is the key mission of the San Marcos Education Foundation,” SMEF President Marissa McGlothlin said. “I want to thank our business partners, the community and especially the SMEF Board for their continuous effort throughout the year to raise money for SMCISD.”
The SMEF awards grants for creative and innovative teaching techniques and ideas to be used in the classroom to enhance the learning experience for SMCISD students and teachers.
Grants varied in size from $500 to $1,000.
One of the projects is intended to enhance the ability of technology students at Miller Middle School to participate in journalism by purchasing a high-performance laptop for video editing. It would allow students to pursue “extracurricular endeavors like producing video announcements or joining a middle school news team,” according to the application by Aaron Martin, who applied for the grant.
At Rodriguez Elementary, Jessica Botello requested $500 to purchase the necessary equipment to roll clay slabs.
Diana Garcia at De Zavala Elementary, requested funds for the dual language program to purchase creative writing material for second graders.
“Having engaging, memorable writing experiences that celebrate children's imagination and writing skills is crucial to keeping students writing in future grade level[s],” Garcia’s application said. “It is in the early grade levels that we must teach children to love reading and writing. This will impact them throughout their school years.”
At the high school, Melissa Wolter, with the Aquatic Science Program, asked for $500 to purchase physical specimens, as well as model and digital specimens, for the program. A grant requested by Stacy Gullion at Travis Elementary will also help offset the cost of the 5th grade Science and Nature Camp.
All told, the $16,000 in grants were split across 21 projects proposed by teachers within the district.
The San Marcos Education Foundation is searching for new members to join this academic year. If interested in joining, visit smeducation.org.
