The Liberty ISD Education Foundation has awarded $30,557 in grants to Liberty ISD teachers for the 2025 school year, supporting a dozen innovative classroom projects that go beyond standard district funding.
The Foundation’s Innovative Teaching Grants program funds projects designed to enhance student learning and engagement through creative approaches in science, literacy, music, and more. Since its inception in 2007, the Foundation has awarded more than $390,000 in grants to Liberty ISD educators.
This year’s grand recipients are:
Liberty Elementary School
- Joanne Knepper, Swing For All: Inclusive Play Grant – $200.99
– Adds an inclusive swing to the playground for students with physical disabilities
– Funded in part by the CW and Aggie Castle Family Endowment and the Mildred Arnold Endowment - Julie Pruett, Ashley Smith and Rebecca Hill, Panther Cub Book Club Sequel – $679.56
– Expands a successful reading club with new books
– Funded in part by the Laura Jane Hartel Endowment - Erica Howze and Rachael Willis, 2nd and 3rd Grade Book Club – $1,486.72
– Introduces younger students to literary classics through discussion-based book clubs
– Funded in part by the Dahlia McManus Endowment - Tabitha Pritchett, Equipping Future Competitors: TMSCA Prep for Elementary Scholars – $481.06
– Supports student participation in math and science competitions
– Funded in part by the Nora Miles Endowment
Liberty Middle School
- Elisha Lemelle, Science in the Spotlight – $329.67
– Uses current events science magazines to enhance classroom discussions.
– Funded in part by the MJ Ripkowski and Liberty Lions Club Grant - Elisha Lemelle, Science in Action – $2,473.98
– Provides dynamic lab kits to increase hands-on science learning
– Funded in part by the Norman and Brenda Dykes Endowment, the Dr. Reese and Sara Brown Endowment, and the Dr. Frank S. Griffin Grant - Aurora Luna, A Panther’s Path to the Past – $4,130
– Engages students in interactive history projects aligned with STAAR test preparation
– Funded in part by the Jeffrey Family Innovative Teaching Grant and the Bruce and Tina Blake Endowment - Kirsti McCarty, 60 Seconds or Less STEM Challenge Kit – $1,102.85
– Daily one-minute engineering challenges promote problem-solving and collaboration
– Funded in part by the C.A. (Abe) Miles Endowment and the JoBeth Willoughby Teaching Grant - Ebony Hamilton, Educational Aquaponics System – $4,244.85
– A hands-on aquaponics lab that supports ecological science instruction.
– Funded in part by the Bill Griffin Sr. Endowment, the Jana Marie Buchanan Grant, the First Liberty Bank Endowment, and the Rick Mearns Grant
Liberty High School
- Richard Ewing and Joe Roberts, UAV Drone Certification – $7,838.20
– Prepares students for FAA Part 107 certification and introduces them to drone career opportunities
– Funded in part by the Dawn Fourtiq Grant and the Ellison Miles Grant
LMS and LHS Joint Grant
- Ryan McKinney and Christie Bean, 88 Keys, Infinite Possibilities – $7,589.65
– Provides portable keyboards for home practice by music students
– Funded in part by the Vara Martin Daniel Innovative Teaching Grant for the Fine Arts, the Baxter Willis Dunagan, Sr. Endowment, the Liberty County Farm Bureau Endowment, the JoAnn McGuire Endowment, and the M.J. Joe Leonard Endowment
Grants are funded through contributions from individual donors, local businesses, and fundraising events such as the Foundation’s annual Casino Night, held March 1 at the TVE Expo Hall.
Community members interested in supporting future grants can donate online at https://securepayment.link/libertyeducationfoundation/. For more information, visit www.libertyeducationfoundation.net or contact Bruce Wright at 936-641-0367.