Teachers awarded $24,733 by the MEF Star Patrol
Posted: 11/20/08

The MISD Education Foundation (MEF) Star Patrol surprised teachers on November 17 with five innovative teaching grants totaling $24,733. These grants are made possible through the non-profit Foundation founded in April 2004 to benefit the teachers and students for innovative projects and programs. Thanks to the donors and sponsors, MEF has awarded over $125,000 to teachers and students.

Innovative Teaching Grants
November 17, 2008

Project Title: Saving Our Greatest Resources - Helping First Year Teachers Succeed - $4,963.36
Campus: All MISD Campuses
Teachers: Karena Blackwell, Keegan Webb, District Principals
Students Impacted: Possible impact all 7,000 MISD students
Grades/Subjects: K-12; all subjects

This grant will provide funding to send selected mentor teachers to Ginger Tucker's First Year Academy, Training of Trainers. The academy will help Midlothian mentors establish a first year academy, educate them on how to support these teachers throughout the school year, and provide training techniques to train future teacher mentors.  The short-term impact is to provide support to first year teachers and increase their effectiveness in the classroom.  The long-term goal is to increase teacher retention thus having an impact on student achievement.  

WALNUT GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Project Title: Authentic Artifacts from an Ancient World - $4,995
Campus: Walnut Grove Middle School
Teachers: Genevieve Bouldin, Ann Faudree, Sharon Sheridan, Cindy Mueller, Barbara Dixon, and Robin McGee
Students Impacted: 900 short term; 1800+ long term
Grades/Subjects: 6-8; Art, Drama, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies

All WGMS 6th graders and various art students will tour the King Tut Exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art.  From this experience, students will apply knowledge gained to develop an Egyptian museum that will be utilized by existing and future students.  The visit provides a way for students to practice their skills of observation and summarization by interaction with authentic bits of the past and realize the connection of individuals past and present.  Students will engage in many cross-curriculum assignments and projects relating to their museum experience and the Egyptian time period.

WALNUT GROVE & FRANK SEALE MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Project Title: "Lab Rats" Summer Science Camp - $4,971.08
Campus: Walnut Grove & Frank Seale Middle Schools
Teachers: Leslie Boehk, Leigh Emerson, Jason Guinn, Whitney Hattier, Barbara Mikulecky, Kaylee King, Mary Davis, and Cindy Mueller, Teresa Bannister, Jill Schaben, Dawn Richmond, Kim Hopkins, and Don Kirby
Students Impacted: 50 (25 students from each middle school)
Grades/Subjects: 6-8; Science

A summer five day "Lab Rats" science camp will help bridge the gap for students entering the 7th/8th grades by providing hands-on TEK based labs.  Funding will cover the costs of the lab kits, a portion of student registration fees, and teacher stipends.  Middle School camp participants will engage in four lab experiments, which will promote awareness and excitement about science. 

LARUE MILLER ELEMENTARY

Project Title: Tricycle Town - $4998.15
Campus: LaRue Miller Elementary
Teachers: Karla Ostroski, Jurae Greiten, Christy McAfee, Adrienne Mitchell, Teri Panza, and Karen Poland
Students Impacted: 220 (2008-09); 2,000+ projected
Grades/Subjects: Pre K-2; Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Health, P.E.

The Tricycle Town is an outdoor dramatic play area with interchangeable signs, easily identifiable town structures such as a home, post office, bank, grocery store and restaurants.  Students with special needs will be exposed to auditory, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic stimulation as they practice using communication and problem solving skills.  The purpose of Tricycle Town is to also promote math skills, literacy, cooperative play, community awareness, gross motor skills, and physical fitness through hands-on imaginative play, which is vital to the development of high level thinking skills.
 

LARUE MILLER ELEMENTARY

Project Title: I-pod (Applaud) You! - $4805.95
Campus: LaRue Miller Elementary
Teachers: Amy Clark, Tammie Thompson, Valree Milson, Krista Bruton, and Karyn Story
Students Impacted: 396
Grades/Subjects: K-2; Reading, Language Arts, ESL, RISE, Dyslexia