This is going better than anticipated.
Nacogdoches ISD Education Foundation is exceeding its own fund raising expectations in its second year, and the group’s board of directors is ready to begin creating endowments from the large contributions received this year.
While it’s early in the second year of the Foundation’s existence, the organization is moving quicker than expected towards its goal of establishing endowments that will provide annual funding for innovative teaching grants for the school district.
Last month, Massey Rose Foundation awarded NEF $50,000, proceeds from the Old Town Rig Down held Sept. 16. Organizers of the fundraiser had promised a $25,000 contribution then, on the night the check was presented, doubled the amount.
Combined with the more than $30,000 pledged to the Foundation by NISD teachers and staff to begin the new school year, the money on hand can be set aside, generating revenue in future years while protecting the principal.
“We can set this up to keep producing revenue for us,” said Jimmy Mize, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and an original member of the steering committee created in 2021 to form NEF.
Establishing endowments doesn’t mean the education foundation slows its fundraising efforts, but ensures there’s an established source for revenue to guarantee a certain level of support in years to come.
Last fall, NEF awarded $250 mini grants to NISD teachers, totaling a little more than $2,500. In the spring, the Foundation provided innovative grants, topping $14,000.
At Fredonia Early Childhood Center, where three grants were received last spring, new teaching aids – including hands-on math and reading programs and interactive learning centers involving Legos – are positive influences on classrooms full of four-year-olds.
“Stories are coming to life as students retell them using our magnetic felt boards and story props,” said Pre-K teacher Wendy Pollette. “And future engineers are in the making as students build with legos on our Lego walls.”
At Nacogdoches High School, five teachers – including Lindy Arbuckle – received funding for a technology integrated physics lab that came with model drag racing cars fueled by CO2 canisters.
“While introducing the project and explaining how the cars would be triggered my students immediately started volunteering information about what physics principles would affect the speed of their car,” said Arbuckle, who teaches AP Physics 1. ““By funding this project you gave all of my students a better lasting memory of what they learned this year.”
This fall, so far 13 mini grants have been awarded; the application process remains open through the end of October.
“We raise this money to give it away, to give it back to our NISD staff for use in the classroom,” said Erin Windham, the Foundation’s Executive Director as well as NISD’s Community Engagement Liaison. “I’m grateful for the generosity of our community, but especially so for the generosity of our own staff.
“Their commitment this year, to triple last year’s pledges, indicates they understand our mission. We’re here to help them in the classroom.”
The foundation is exploring an initiative that would support NISD paraprofessionals, or teaching aides, looking to obtain their degree and teaching certificate, similar to a “grow your own” program that could help existing staff members in their move to the classroom and address the shortage of qualified teachers around Texas.