Rockwall ISD Education Foundation Gives More Than $32K in Grants to Teachers and Staff
More than $32,000 in innovative teaching grants were awarded to District educators for the 2024-2025 school year through the Rockwall ISD Education Foundation (REF).
Each year, the REF invites Rockwall ISD educators to submit a grant application for an innovative project that engages students and teachers in creative and challenging ways. Thanks to the generous support from the community and business partners, the REF was able to fund 15 grants to 20 campuses and 51 educators that will benefit more than 5,000 students.
This year, Ryan and Meredith Joyce from Michael Joyce Properties fully funded the grant “Cultivating Wonder & Awe” in the amount of $5,000. Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Campus science teachers and grant winners Christina Hoover and Kelly Hall said the funds will allow students to explore cells and other microorganisms through virtual reality.
The Rockwall Area Small Business Association partially funded the more than $3,500-grant “AbiliTEEs T-shirt Company,” which will support Rockwall ISD’s Project LIFE students in learning a new trade—making customized T-shirts.
REF board members, district board members, Chamber of Commerce Leadership Rockwall Class of 2025, and other community supporters surprised each group of recipients at their campus. The Rockwall-Heath High School Mighty Hawk Band led the celebrations for the south side, and the Rockwall High School Orange Wave Band led the celebrations for the north.