The reverberation of the high school drumline, along with shouts from the cheerleaders and dance team, sounded off the grand patrol alarms Wednesday morning at several Tyler ISD campuses. “We are excited to go through the hallways of Tyler ISD awarding innovative classroom teaching grants and throughout different departments and making those big wishes and big dreams of grants that our teachers have come up with come true today,” said Suzette Farr, executive director of the Tyler ISD Foundation . Representatives from the Foundation - as well as district members and special guests - visited 16 Tyler ISD campuses to surprise educators with 35 grants, totaling $100,000, from the Grants for Great Ideas program.
The initiative encourages, facilitates, recognizes, and rewards innovative and creative instructional approaches that are not already supported by campus budgets. This year’s grants will positively impact 17 campuses and facilities, including the Transportation Department. “We fundraise through events through our annual giving campaign that we just kicked off and it's going on right now,” Farr said.
“That's what helps us raise funds as well as writing grants to other community partners so that we can raise funds to make this happen for students and teachers.” Each year, a committee of board members, community members, and Tyler ISD staff reviews grant proposals based on innovation, impact, and budget considerations. After careful discussion, the grants are se.
