PISD funds $50,000 in innovative classroom grants

Princeton ISD once again rewarded innovative ideas by funding grants through teacher proposals. Recipients were announced during the end-of-year ceremony.

This fall, 11 teachers will be equipped with cutting edge technology and resources to implement new teaching strategies and take their students’ learning to the next level.

More than $50,000 in funding was approved, which culminated a multi-step process that included teachers submitting proposals for their ideas followed by a committee going over each proposal to determine the winners.

“The purpose of the Princeton ISD teacher proposals is to allow teachers access to funds in order to take learning to the next level,” said Casey Gunnels, assistant superintendent for education. “The vision is to increase academic rigor for student groups through innovative activities that increase collaboration and community involvement.”

Princeton ISD has been funding special projects to be used in classrooms for several years, and this marks the ninth year teachers were asked to submit formal proposals for this money.

Through the application process, teachers submitted proposals to explain how their project would benefit the students’ learning, as well as make an impact on the community.

“Teachers put a lot of effort into researching new and innovative practices,” Mr. Gunnels said. “Our hope is to turn the classroom into a lab of innovation.”

Where the funds will be used:

-James Elementary dyslexia teacher Kathryn Zavala requested books for her classroom which will build structured literacy pathways through a multilevel dyslexia classroom library.

“This need is based on persistent literacy gaps experienced by students with dyslexia,” she said. “Traditional classroom libraries do not always provide the intentional progression of texts required to support systematic skill development and consistent reading success.”

-Emily Boyle-Folsom, a 1^st-grade teacher at James Elementary, requested an interactive program used for learning math through small-group-based learning.

“Centers are proven to be more engaging than traditional models, and this allows the opportunity for me to make learning new concepts in math fun for all students,” she said.

-Meghan Glidden’s proposal will help students at Godwin Elementary develop their reading skills through a mobile makerspace program in her ARI classroom.

“The mobile cart will provide Godwin Elementary students with hands-on, engaging learning experiences that integrate STEM with creativity and problem-solving,” she said. “This project will enhance instruction and foster a culture of innovation that prepares students for future academic and career success.”

-Lowe 4^th-grade science and social studies teacher Natalie McElroy plans to turn imagination into innovation with a 3D printing lab in her classroom.

“3D printing transforms students from passive learners into active creators,” she said. “This technology allows students to bring their ideas to life in tangible ways.”

-Green music teacher Kameron McClure can continue to equip her music classroom through instrument acquisition.

“The purpose of this proposal for Tubano drums is to allow for more comprehensive access to cultural, rhythmic and melodic instruments to foster a sense of inclusivity and help build our school’s inventory,” she said.

-Because GT teachers Jennifer Walker and Michael McMahon submitted a proposal, the district’s third GT teacher will also have a traveling computer lab for students.

“The Chromebooks have enabled us to differentiate assignments based on students’ various areas of giftedness,” they said. “It is an invaluable resource for our state-mandated research projects and makes it possible for our students to produce high quality presentations of what they have learned.”

-Science students at Princeton Sr. High School will benefit from Richa Sharma’s proposal to acquire scientific hot plates and supporting equipment to bolster the classroom lab.

“This will eliminate hazards associated with open flames, provide consistent heating for accurate data collection and support advanced laboratory techniques,” she said. “The equipment enhances instructional rigor and modernizes the lab environment to reflect the expectations of higher education and industry.”

-Kalaivani Desiaseelan’s proposal will bolster the AP physics lab at Princeton Sr. High School with an equipment initiative.

“The real-world application of this equipment is significant,” she said. “By working with this equipment, physics students are not simply learning physics concepts, they are practicing the data collection and analysis methods of actual scientific careers.”

-PSHS teacher Joanna Robertson wrote a proposal for the students in the robotics competition program.

“The competition robotics program represents an innovative instructional practice by blending hands-on engineering design with real-world problem solving in a competitive student-driven environment,” she said. “This program immerses students in authentic STEM experiences where they take ownership of designing, building and programming robotic systems to meet evolving competition challenges.”

-PSHS chemistry teacher Jerry Young secured funding to elevate chemistry TEKS through advanced laboratory investigations.

“The originality lies in elevating standard TEKS concepts into hands-on, real-world laboratory experiences that mirror collegiate and industry-level chemistry practices,” he said. “The students will move beyond basic procedures to problem-solving scenarios.”