The Community Engagement team is excited to announce the 2024-2025 J. Landon Short Mini Grant for Educators winners!
For 35 years, SBISD has conducted a Mini Grants for Educators program. Over twenty years ago, the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation created a permanent program endowment in memory of J. Landon Short, a lifelong education advocate and SBISD patron.
This year, SBISD educators submitted 61 applications! Each application was reviewed by at least two members of a review committee of SBISD staff and program sponsors, using a blind judging process.
Congratulations to our highest scoring 41 applications submitted by educators from 24 SBISD campuses! Thank you to our partners whose generous funding of more than $24,000 made these mini grants possible! We so appreciate our partners’ support of educators and innovation in SBISD! #CollectiveGreatness!
Please join us in congratulating these Mini Grant winners!
Bunker Hill Elementary
Elizabeth Peltier – Empowering Students with Tools
Guthrie Center
Nakhestcia Franklin, Benjamin Baze, Alex Bove, Sarah Johnson – Empowering Culinary Excellence, Supporting Culinary Arts SkillsUSA Chapter
Nakhestcia Frankling – Cultivating Culinary Excellence, Enhancing Retention Through the Annual Culinary Practicum Banquet
Fuad Loutfi, Nabila Nuray Jarin – Drawing Aid
Mari Dunlap, Tracy Purvis – Twice the Potential, “Compounding Pharmacy Technician”
Housman Elementary
Yolanda Flores – Breaking the Cycle!
Landrum Middle
Sofia Guerrero – Enhancing Middle School Math with Hands-on Learning Tools
Jaime Trigo – Guitar for Stars
Lion Lane
Sara Allen, Kristen Nehring – The Magic Touch: Promoting Cross-Curricular Learning Through Sensorial Play
Memorial Middle
France Smolen, Allison Koenig – Empty Bowls
Christine King, Hector Cortez – Tuning into the Future
Northbrook High
Christopher McVay – Sculpting a Bright Future
Karen Whitefield – Maintaining Aquatic Ecosystems and Observing Water Quality
Nottingham Elementary
Kari Barrett, Sandra Henao – Weaving Literacy and Art Together
Stacey Subair, Sandra Henao – The Harmony Project
Pine Shadows Elementary
Veronica Hinojosa-Gonzalez – Making Moves
Rummel Creek Elementary
Debbie Hanlen – Little Listeners
Mike Hertlein – Fitness Engagement for All Grades
Rebecca Ramey – Engineers in the Making
Shadow Oaks Elementary
Aurelia Guzman, Sarah Barahona – Recognizing Student Achievement
Craig Mendizabal, Rachel Bohannon – Tools, Tools, and More Tools!
Sherwood Elementary
Andrew Breuninger – Rhythm Revamp
Special Education Department
Meredith Johnson, Virginia Meyer – Sensory Learning for Complex Learners
Spring Branch Academic Institute
Teresa Dolan – Full STEAM Ahead: Igniting Creativity and Curiosity
Julie Sirianni, Sarah Blanchard – Dragon SPIKE Upgrade
Katie Wood-Sponsel – Living History
Spring Branch Elementary
Natalie Johnson – Making Art Pop from 2D to 3D!
Spring Forest Middle
Kimberly Murphy – Reading and Writing Literacy Centers
Spring Woods High
Joshua Ault – The Regit
Sean Doyle, Gina Disteldorf – Erosion in the Bayou City
Amy Mata – Palme d’Or: Classroom Theater
Brandon McNeal, Patrick Dykes – Pitch Perfect: Equipping our Band with Advanced Tuners for Optimal Performance
Ruthelen Robinson – Au Revoir, CO2!
Spring Woods Middle
Allison Tilotta – Sharp Dressed Man
Terrace Elementary
Melanie Dulworth, Jamie Newby – Give me a Break!
Thornwood Elementary
O’rela Murgia, Linda Gordillo – Supporting 5th Grade Literacy and English Learners with Raz-Plus Programs
Nora Tellez – Fun-tastic Math Adventures
Tiger Trail School
Esther Lynn – Empowering Early Literacy Through Writing Baskets in a PreK Classroom
Westchester Academy
Wennie Sansing – Daring Dissections
Jennifer Wismer – Accounting Simulation, Cloud Based Software for Real World Practice
Wilchester Elementary
Anne Marie Thomeer, Judith Dodd, Denise St. Julien – More Practice, More Progress