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Taylor ISD foundation awards classroom grants, approves two "game changer" grants totaling more than $51,000
Summary
The district foundation presented dozens of small grants and two larger "game changer" awards: $35,000 for an interactive LU board and $16,698 for virtual reality headsets and software; multiple classroom teachers received smaller Mallard grants.
Taylor ISD’s foundation presented a series of classroom grants and staff recognitions during the meeting.
Staff announced multiple Mallard grants: Jean Barnett (Taylor High School) — $510 for a ceramics field trip to Umlauf Sculpture Garden; Melody Martin (TH Johnson music teacher) — $926 to purchase drums, canopy scarves and rubber rings for early childhood social‑emotional learning in music; Elaine Edwards (music specialist) — $1,000 to cover half the cost of an artist residency for rhythm/drumming, with staff noting the project received an additional $1,000 from the Texas Commission on the Arts; Cynthia Proctor and Day Strong (Pausman) — $375 for a "Think Boxes" personalized enrichment program.
The foundation awarded two "game changer" grants (defined as grants over $3,000): Sydney Rush — $35,000 to purchase an interactive LU board, an immersive projection/computer system for interactive lessons and physical activity; Cody Hunt (history teacher at Taylor High School) — $16,698 to purchase 30 virtual‑reality headset sets and one year of Eduverse software to support curriculum‑specific VR lessons.
Presenters said the VR project and LU board are intended to increase student engagement and provide curriculum‑aligned experiential learning opportunities. Several teachers and students were recognized for competitive livestock and performance achievements.
No board action was required for the grant presentations; staff and trustees recognized recipients and thanked the foundation and community donors for support.
