SISD
To help teachers provide innovative curriculum for Sherman ISD Bearcats, the Sherman Education Foundation (SEF) provided more than $65,000 among 43 grants this year through its Circle of Success Recognition Event.
“The impact of these grants will be immeasurable,” said Kathy Bickerstaff, SEF Executive Director. “These are innovative grants that could not have been funded through the campus budget.”
These grants typically fund a wide variety of projects from field trips to classroom materials and are provided through community sponsorships given through the Circle of Success Recognition event, which marked 22 years Thursday night.
“Through the generosity of sponsorships, donations and contributions, we have been able to award over $1.8 million to Sherman ISD through Circle of Success alone over the years,” Bickerstaff said. “We have raised over $2.9 million in total, which also includes money raised through the SEF Run, Major Saver and Walk for Fitness.”
Grants to be funded include a large-scale aquarium and a terrarium for Piner Middle School, clinics by professional musicians for both middle school orchestras, a field trip to the Dallas Zoo, expansions to outdoor areas and music instruction resources across all elementary campuses.
“Support from within our community and even outside our geographical area is vital to the success of the mission of Sherman Education Foundation, which is to provide creative educational programs, curricular enhancements and other innovative solutions to meet identified educational needs of Sherman students which are beyond the basic educational programs of Sherman ISD,” Bickerstaff said.
The event also recognized eight outstanding students for their accomplishments inside and outside the classroom. Those eight students in turn honored SISD educators who was a major influence in the student’s career.
Those eight students and their honored teachers are:
- Jasey Cain and SHS teacher Nicole Funderburg
- Kayla Davis and SHS teacher Anthony Hartman
- Drake Dodder and SHS teacher and coach Chris Anderson
- Grant Dominick and retired Washington Elementary teacher Missy McGowen
- Ava Gibson and SHS teacher Chris Donaho
- Alvin Hoque and SHS teacher Anthony Shearer
- Kara Mathes and SHS teacher and band director Ryan Jenkins
- Emma Morgan and Washington Elementary teacher Kimberly Nunn
Photos of the event can be found here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzJSPi
ABOUT SHERMAN EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The primary focus of the Sherman Education Foundation is to provide creative educational programs, educational aids, faculty and staff development opportunities, curricular enhancements, and other innovative solutions to meet identified educational needs of Sherman students which are beyond the basic educational program of the Sherman ISD.
Its goals are to provide funds to campuses throughout Sherman ISD for education enrichment, establish a variety of opportunities for businesses and individuals to financially support Sherman ISD through a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and engage community involvement and awareness through its annual Circle of Success Recognition event and SEF Arts Fest Run.
