2025 Surprise Patrol
Surprise Patrol Grants Teacher Wishes
The Wylie Bulldogs Education Foundation made 29 grants to Wylie teachers in May during the 2025 Teacher Grant Surprise Patrol. The grants will provide teachers with cutting-edge teaching tools that will challenge and inspire students.
TEACHERS WHO RECEIVED GRANTS ARE:
Karen Cothran, West Junior High. The funds from this grant will be used to educate teachers, coaches and aides through a dynamic group experience where they will go through simulation stations that will put them in the ‘shoes’ of someone with dyslexia. They will feel how dyslexia students feel in school as they struggle around other students in a classroom.
Jillian Johnson, Wylie Early Childhood. The money from this grant will be used to purchase a Magnetic Dry Erase Board, 15 books, 5 magnetic puzzles and more than 11 hands on manipulatives for Pre-K aged students to work with during centers.
Amy Arick as a team with Jeanette Rodriguez, West Junior High. The money from this grant will be used to facilitate the attendance of two educators at a national mathematics conference in San Antonio, where they will participate in sessions focused on best practices in mathematics education. This opportunity will provide insights into effective teaching strategies, tools, and technologies that can be incorporated into their math curriculum.
Kristina Hadaway, Wylie Early Childhood. The money from this grant will be used to buy new sensory input items as well as manipulatives that can be used for academics as well as sensory issues. These items will help increase self-regulation, social and emotional skills, and increase academic abilities.
Sara Blakely, Wylie High. The money from this grant will support the funding of an educational trip for 10 senior culinary students . The program is dedicated to providing students with hands-on experience and industry knowledge to prepare them for successful careers in the culinary arts. This trip to San Antonio will offer the students a unique and invaluable opportunity to visit the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), attend a hands-on cooking class, and gain exposure to professional kitchens and industry experts.
Megan Oliver, West Elementary. The money from this grant will be used to bring a breath of fresh air into a classroom where certain organizational materials have been used for years, or even decades. New seat covers will replace worn organizational storage and protect library books for students. Other items that will be replaced include storage containers that are over 20 years old and clipboards that have given their years of service. This grant will also purchase alternative lighting sources to take the strain of the fluorescent lights out of the classroom. This grant will help create a calm and organized classroom which promotes a positive learning environment for the teacher and the students.
Kelly Eastman, West Junior High. The money from this grant will be used to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator simulator. CPR certification training is taught to all 8th graders enrolled in a health class. With the use of a simulator, students will not only be able to work with the trainer firsthand but also get to hear the guided prompts while performing their skills test. This adds to their experience by making the training more like a real-life situation. The hands-on practice with an AED, paired with the use of manikins will be beneficial to the school and the families of the students.
Tanya Miles as a team with Angie Kinley, Ashley Jacobson and Ramona Nelson, West Junior High. The money from this grant will be used to purchase Brag Tags which are very similar to a military “dog tag”. Each 6 weeks a student is given an individualized reading goal and points to earn through Accelerated Reader. The student reads a book of their choice on their level and then takes an Accelerated Reader quiz to increase their comprehension. Students who reach their goal will receive these Brag Tags. Students will be able to proudly display their tags as a “trophy” on their lanyard or backpack attached to a keyring. Each plastic tag is colorful and has a different quote or points displayed. The idea is to promote reading through positive reinforcement.
Faith Nunn as a team with Stephanie DeYoung, East Junior High. The funds from this grant will be used to purchase TI-108 Calculator Sets, Dry Erase Board Classroom Sets, Hand Cart and Portable File Boxes all aimed at facilitating skills development and competition readiness of the Math and Science teams.
Suzanne Wright, Wylie Early Childhood. The funds from this grant will be used to purchase thematic toys for yearly lessons, such as cars and a road rug, a kitchen and cash register with food, construction trucks, baby dolls, an art station and supplies such as smocks, paint containers and brushes, a large white board for drawing and writing, and letter and number manipulatives. Every item will help each child reach their goals and objectives for their Individualized Education Plan. Year after year, the toys, activities and manipulatives will provide an engaging and fun opportunity for the students to learn, play and master the skills that are necessary to interact and communicate with their peers and begin their academic journey.
Morgan Parvin, WEI. The money from this grant will be used to expand a 4th-grade classroom library and purchase class sets for engaging chapter books for shared reading experiences. By increasing access to high-quality literature, they aim to enhance students reading comprehension, fluency and critical thinking skills while fostering a lifelong love of reading. The books acquired will serve not only the current 66 students but also future classes, ensuring a lasting impact on literacy development.
Lacey Kennedy, WEC. The funds from this grant will be used to acquire a diverse range of hands-on materials for the learning center. These materials will provide students with enhanced opportunities to explore their learning independently, foster stronger social interactions with their peers, and encourage higher-level thinking. Some of the learning centers which will be enhanced include the Pretend and Learn Center, ABC Literacy Center, Writing Center, Art Creativity Station, Science/Discovery Center and the Math Center.
Deanne Garrett as a team with Jo Gipson, East Elementary. The funds from this grant will be used to purchase 2 mats, 36 dodgeballs and 36 bean bags. Much of the equipment at the East Elementary requires replacement due to wear and tear. The mats will help protect the students during agility exercises. The balls and bean bags help in teaching throwing, catching, dodging as well as team and individual activities. This equipment will teach the students that physical education can not only be good for you but can be fun as well.
Rebecca Quick, WEC. The funds from this grant will be used to purchase the Doodles Help Handwriting Book Series for Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 students. The series will provide structured, engaging activities to help students develop essential handwriting and fine motor skills, which are foundational for future academic success. The books include tracing and drawing exercises, letter recognition, and writing practice, offering a systematic approach that aligns with Texas Pre-K guidelines and TEKS. By using these books, students will receive consistent, hands-on practice that will lead to improvements in handwriting, motor control, and early literacy, setting them up for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Alexis Hughes, Wylie High. The funds from this grant will be used to purchase a small paper cutter and a Printing Press for art at the high school. The paper cutter would be used daily to resize and edit papers of projects. The printing press can be used by students to learn how to make multiple copies of their etchings/drawings. Using a printing press is a hands-on way to use technology that allows for problem solving and creative expression.
Lillian Jones as a team with Katie Broyles, Diane Nieves, and Greg Jaklewicz, West Junior High. The money from this grant will be used to purchase 4 class set subscriptions (100 total) to Scholastic Scope magazine for 2025-2026. These magazines would provide the students with high-interest texts covering a wide variety of topics in multiple genres to help students strengthen literacy skills, build vocabulary, practice critical thinking, build essential background knowledge and practice written communication.
Tina Jones, East Junior High. The funds from this grant will purchase quality art supplies for multimedia-based projects. Incorporating nontraditional combinations of Posca pens, textiles and sewing will allow for amazing multimedia projects. Quality art supplies enhance student work, have longevity and durability, and introduces them to standards of the professional art world. Premium tools require responsibility and develop habits that are beneficial to pursuing a future in art. Introducing textiles allows opportunity to learn real world skills that will transfer to high school classes and beyond.
Kim Cheek, West Intermediate. The money from this grant will be utilized in the participation and transportation of DI teams and their designed solutions to Global Finals in Kansas City. Students will interact and compete with teams from around the world. Students will also attend engineering and skill-based workshops during Global Finals.
Beth Lara as a team with Morgan Parvin and Maxine Clegg, WEI. The funds from this grant will be used to fund a Pear Assessment subscription to enhance student learning through real-time feedback and data driven instruction. This platform will allow teachers to quickly identify learning gaps, provide immediate support, and personalize instruction to meet each student’s needs. By improving engagement, efficiency and academic performance, this tool will ensure that every student receives the support necessary to succeed. Funding this project will directly impact student achievement and create a more effective, interactive learning environment in the classroom.
Baylee Barger as a team with Amy Grimland, East Junior High. The money from this grant will be used to purchase new microscopes to enhance hands-on science education for middle school students. Currently, outdated and broken microscopes prevent students from fully engaging in lab activities, limiting their ability to explore the microscopic world. With new microscopes, students will gain valuable experience in scientific observation, improving their understanding of key biological concepts and fostering a love for science. This investment will have a lasting impact on student learning and engagement.
John Vann, WHS. The funds from this grant will purchase parts for the VEX robots used by WHS Engineering classes. The robots will help teach STEM concepts to students. In addition, they will engage in teamwork, creativity and problem solving. They expect to see an increase in student participation and program completion within the next 2 years.
Tabitha Reed as a team with Caitlynn Savari, East Junior High. The money from this grant will fund travel and ledging for two fine arts educators to attend Carnegie Hall’s Music Educators Workshop in New York City. By participating in this prestigious program, they will bring expert-level instruction back to the choir and theatre students, improving their vocal skills, sight-reading abilities, musical storytelling, and performance confidence. This opportunity will elevate the fine arts programs and ensure that students receive top-tier music and theatre education.
Karissa Albarado, WEC. The money from this grant will be used to purchase various storage items to help organize items for students individual learning bins. The small group items include multiple ways to learn the alphabet letters, letter sounds, numbers, counting, and many other skills needed so they are prepared for kindergarten. The sensory bin items will maximize students learning experience during learning center time so they can use their creativity, work on their social, emotional, and communication skills, as well as work on their fine motor skills. All the items stated in this grant application align with the Pre-K curriculum, as well as multiple domains from the Pre-K guidelines for the state of Texas. Most of the learning items should last up to 10 years, while other items will have to be replenished in a year or two.
Susan Hall, East Junior High. The funds from this grant will be used to purchase 28 Replogle Ready to Assemble World 12” Diameter Globes. This grant will allow students to use globes rather than maps or Google Earth because globes offer a more accurate, three-dimensional representation of the Earth. Globes will foster better spatial understanding and comprehension of geographical relationships, which is crucial for navigation and map interpretation. Students have hands-on and interactive learning experiences, allowing them to physically rotate and examine the Earth, which enhances their understanding and engagement with geography. These skills will form foundational connections between geographical features for further instruction in high school.
Heather McDonald as a team with Nathan Hamilton, East Elementary. The money from this grant will be used purchase various instruments (rhythm sticks, resonator bells, and a set of temple blocks), manipulatives (scarves and parachutes), classroom supplies (class set of dry erase boards and two microphones), and a little supplemental curriculum. These materials will be used to greatly enhance learning, musical creativity, and increase the possibilities for programs. These supplies should last 5 to 10 years.
Megan Boyd as a team with Makenzie Quincey, Adrian Gonzales, Kelly Trumble and Daysha Weaver. The money from this grant will be used to purchase 125 LexiBook Digital Dictionaries to create class sets for the 8th grade RLA classrooms. Digital dictionaries align with Texas State Teaching Standards 8.2, which emphasizes vocabulary acquisition and resource use for word understanding. These tools would enhance daily learning, support STAAR test preparation, assist English-Language Learners (ELL), and accommodate students with dyslexia, who make up 44% of our current 8th-grade class. Without these resources, students must rely on slow and inadequate alternatives, such as outdated paper dictionaries or website dictionaries that disrupt learning and create opportunities for cheating.
Jamie Doby, East Junior High. The funds from this grant will be used to purchase 60 KleenSlate whiteboards, each equipped with attached handles, markers and erasers. These whiteboards will help streamline classroom activities, saving valuable time while enabling math teachers to intervene early in students’ thought processes. Students will be engaged by the opportunity to showcase their work on a tool other than pencil and paper, and teachers will benefit from receiving immediate feedback on students’ understanding of key concepts.
Keisha Johnson as a team with Michelle King, East Elementary. The funding from this grant will be used to create a Bulldog Sensory Cart, a mobile resource filled with sensory tools designed to support special education students. The cart will include fidget items, sensory chair, auditory story boxes, and other calming tools to help students regulate emotions, focus, and engage in learning. Many of the students struggle with sensory processing challenges, and access to these resources is currently limited. This cart will provide flexible, immediate support across classrooms, ensuring all students have the tools they need to succeed.
Lisa Camp, WHS. The money from this grant will be used to purchase a Large Paper Cutter so that WHS has one for each art room that functions properly. It will also purchase more kiln furniture (props and such) because they have been working to build up the pottery side of the art program and some of the current kiln furniture is broken. Lastly, they will be able to buy a few sets of Prisma Colors and Oil Pastels as they are an art supply which they use often and are non-renewable