Grant Recipient Lisa Bookout Believes in Access for All

Middle School Wonder Woman Lisa Bookout

Name:  Lisa Bookout

Subject taught: 8^th grade Science

Grant received:  Tablets for Teens : 10 Microsoft Surface Tablets w/covers and charging cart
Amount Received: $4,420

In her grant application, Lisa Bookout expressed her motivation for her request:

I teach 8^th grade Science.  In my classroom we have textbooks that are 8 years old. Microsoft Tablets will be a great supplement to our outdated textbooks.  I want my students to have access to the latest technology possible.  Many of the lessons in my class incorporate a project, poster, or presentation that demonstrates their knowledge of Science concepts.  By having access to technology right in the classroom, ALL of my students will be able to express their understanding in innovative, relevant, and exciting ways.  I emphasize the word ‘ALL’ because many of my students do not have access to technology at home.

When we followed up with her this year, we learned the grant has truly been "ALL" encompassing and reached even more students than originally intended. 

I wrote this grant last year with the hopes of integrating much more technology in my Science classroom.  I wanted my students to have access to the latest technology possible.  Many of the lessons in my class incorporated a project, poster, or presentation that demonstrated their knowledge of Science concepts.  By having access to technology right in the classroom, ALL of my students would be able to express their understanding in innovative, relevant, and exciting ways.I was so happy to receive this grant and spent time collaborating with my teaching partner, Josh Hamilton, about ways in which we could amp up the units we taught and infuse them with technology.  We reworked lessons for this school year and added the technology piece to projects and assignments.  

Over the summer I was hired for a different position; therefore, I no longer teach 8^th grade Science.  I am now the Gifted Resource teacher for the district.  Josh Hamilton along with Kevin Ismael are the 8^th grade Science teachers.  During the past couple of weeks their students have been learning about Lab Safety and Lab Equipment.  The students created videos to demonstrate their knowledge.  I was fortunate to be able to watch some of the videos and they were great!  The students were extremely creative and did an excellent job conveying the concepts correctly.  According to Josh the students had a blast with this lesson and are eagerly awaiting the next project in which they get to use the tablets. 

Josh Hamilton's class uses grant-funded technology to film their commercials

 I can’t thank the Foundation enough for helping classroom teachers.  We are very fortunate to have an organization like this in our district that makes dreams come true for students and teachers.  Some may think that sounds a little silly, but it truly was a dream of mine to get tablets in the hands of my students.  I really appreciate you making that happen!

Will you help teachers like Lisa Bookout, Josh Hamilton, and Kevin Ismael make a difference?  Every dollar matters. You can positively influence public education in our community.

Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation does not replace state funds for education. Its goal is to nourish excellence and provide a wider range of educational opportunities for our students. With your help, we can help fund more grants that provide access to "all."

Donate at www.tahlequahpublicschoolsfoundation.org

Grant Recipient Tiffany Cacy Shares her iCan Attitude

Pre-K Teacher Extraordinaire Tiffany Cacy

Teacher: Tiffany Cacy
School: Sequoyah Pre-K
Grant: iCan with iPad
Amount Received: $5,693.00

Tiffany Cacy's own words from the grant application express her vision, research, and enthusiasm:

More schools are using smart-tablets to integrate learning.  Students are able to use these tools to take a more in depth look at their units of study.  Touch-screen tablets are perfect for young students, students with disabilities, or learning difficulties.  Apple has sold over 8 million iPads to educational institutions worldwide. Dozens of preschool and kindergarten teachers are adding iPads to their classroom of pencils and paints in an effort to hook young learners with the newest technology craze at the same time — or even before — their parents adopt it.

There are endless opportunities with an iPad. Here is a sample of a unit of study: Students will be able to research a topic on the Native American involvement in the First Thanksgiving, take virtual tour of a village or early settlement site, record a video interview, and give a presentation.  Students will be allowed to research personal interests, with teacher guidance. Plus, there are apps for just about anything.

By granting this request, students will have the opportunity to use cutting edge technology, while providing them with a device that has endless opportunities to grow and learn through touch and play.  All students will become confident students, thus insuring them as life-long learners.  This will turn every child into “iCan” kid.

After receiving the grant and putting it into action, Cacy shared this photo.  She says that the iPads "allows students an opportunity to interact with technology, enrich education, and feel ownership of their learning."

"Measuring success is easy in Pre-K, just look at the joy on their face!"

Will you help teachers like Tiffany Cacy make a difference?  Every dollar matters.

Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation does not replace state funds for education. Its goal is to nourish excellence and provide a wider range of educational opportunities for our students. With your help, we can help fund more grants that turn more kids into "iCan kids."

Donate at www.tahlequahpublicschoolsfoundation.org

Help us put the "fun" back in fundraising

We're kicking off a Facebook fundraising campaign as part of our September donor drive. Please join us!

Here's the script.  Add your personal twist. The idea is to raise funds, thank an inspirational teacher, and invite others to do it, too.

I believe in public education. 

I’m donating to Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation in honor of teachers who made a difference in my life.

Thank you  (insert inspirational teacher's name here) for (explain why this person is special to you).

I invite (name someone else) to pay it forward and support public education. I encourage you to invite someone else. Please donate now to www.tahlequahpublicschoolsfoundation.org.

Thanks and have fun!

Introducing your 2014-2015 TPSF Board of Trustees...

Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation

Board of Directors

2014-2015

Officers

President:  Lucas Foster

Vice-President: Barbara Fuller

Secretary:  Jenine Hembree

Treasurer:  Allen Scroggins

Board of Directors

Brandi Barnett

Breanna Batey

Kim Copeland

Lisa Czlonka

Amber George

Zac Priest

Mesha Sanchez

Ashley Talburt

Kin Thompson

New board members added after this original post: Carrie Scearce and Loretta Keener

Ex Officio

 Superintendent of Schools: Lisa Presley

We'd like to thank outgoing board members Laura Boren, Cameron Greenhagen, Josh Reasor, and Donna Tinnin  for their dedication and contribution to Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation.  

TPSF Honors Teachers and Kicks Off Donor Campaign

President Lucas Foster and board member Brandi Barnett welcomed the opportunity to speak to teachers before school began.

"I believe in public education. I believe in you,” Brandi Barnett said. “And those of us at Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation believe you know what you’re doing.”

Foster presented last year’s Teachers of the Year with plaques to put on their classroom doors.

An example of one of the Teacher of the Year plaques

The two also thanked teachers and staff for the over $2000 they contributed to the foundation during the 2013-2014 school year by way of payroll deductions…and asked for them to do it again.  

Tahlequah educators, who already give so much of their own money to their own classrooms, inspired the foundation to start their first annual Donor Drive this September.   

The goal is to invite every citizen to donate to making a difference in public education. No donation is too small—or large. 

Donate online at www.tahlequahpublicschoolsfoundation.org 

Mail donations

Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation 

1 Plaza South, PMB #276

Tahlequah, Ok 74464

Will you join TPSF and Tahlequah Public Schools in lighting the path towards excellence? Please donate today.