Sherman ISD Employees Receive $2,000 Thank You Just in Time for the Holidays
By Arena Blake
Director of Communications
Sherman ISD employees got an early holiday thank you Monday, delivered throughout the district by members of the Board of Trustees and administration team.
“Teachers are facing so many pressures and challenges right now,” Hillary Clark, president of the SISD school board, told employees at Sherman High School on Monday morning. “We see you, we are listening, and I want you to know that we care. We’re trying to do everything we can to make your job just a little bit easier. This is a tangible way for us to show you how much we appreciate each and every one of you.”
More than 1,200 employees — including teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and other staff members — received a $2,000 check during the “Best Day Ever!” celebration. In total, $2.4 million was distributed directly to SISD employees using federal COVID-19 relief funds.
“They told me to open the envelope right then, so I did,” said Katie Hensarling, a first grade teacher at Sory Elementary. “And I was floored. It was such a surprise. I really wasn’t expecting it. I feel so appreciated to be given something like that unexpectedly.”
The surprises continued campus by campus, accompanied by cheers, applause, gasps, and occasionally, tears of joy. Students joined in the celebrations, exclaiming that their teachers deserved this and so much more.
Dr. David Hicks, superintendent, said that this was made possible by the sustained vision of the school board to recruit and retain the very best staff members and to recognize SISD team members for their efforts.
“In order to do great things, it takes intentionality, dedication and commitment,” he said. “That’s what our team has shown over and over again, and especially this year. Our employees do their very best for our children, and it was important to the board and the administration that we honor those efforts in this way.”