The Lorena Education Foundation has awarded six professional development grants totaling over $19,000 to LISD teachers and staff members. The recipients will use their grants to attend conferences and receive training. “I am so proud of the staff that were awarded grants to pay for professional learning opportunities,” LISD Superintendent Dr. Joe Kucera said. “These opportunities will directly impact our Lorena students.”

Primary School teacher Jennifer Sykora was awarded a $5,000 grant that will allow representatives from kindergarten, first grade, and second grade to attend the “Elevate Your Classroom” conference in Austin. The conference offers multiple sessions on topics including all core academic strands such as reading, writing, math, science and social studies, as well as school culture and classroom management.

Primary teacher Carrie Young received a $5,000 grant that will allow Pre-K teachers, and instructional aides to take part in “Frogstreet Splash 2025.” The conference includes comprehensive training focused on enhancing classroom implementation of the Frogstreet Press curriculum, STEAM integration, and leadership in early childhood education. 

Elementary School teacher Taylor Gilson was awarded a $5,000 grant for third grade teachers, and an administrator to take part in “Get Your Teach On.” This professional development conference is designed to equip teachers with research-based strategies, innovative ideas, and inspiration to engage students, and elevate classroom instruction.

High School teacher Lyndsey Sanders was given a $625 grant for the AP Summer Institute. The training will help prepare Sanders to teach Advanced Placement Chemistry in the future. Students who take AP chemistry will have the opportunity to study college-level chemistry in high school, and potentially earn college credit.

High School teacher Kelsey Allison was awarded a grant for $2,609 to attend the Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teachers. The conference will help Allison learn best practices for teaching complex math subjects like algebra, geometry, and calculus in order to prepare students for academic success, and real world applications.

Lindsay Shockley received an $1,100 grant to take part in Core Selective Evaluation Process Training. C-SEP is a pattern of strengths and weaknesses model used for identification of Specific Learning Disabilities. The model is in alignment with the newly released TEA guidance on comprehensive evaluations for Specific Learning Disabilities. The training will allow the special education evaluation staff to receive the best training regarding C-SEP basics, implementation, interpretation, and report writing.

This is the first time since 2019 that the Lorena Education Foundation has awarded grants to LISD staff members for professional development. “I am so glad the Lorena ISD Education Foundation has reorganized and is active once again,” Kucera said. “I am thrilled to work with the foundation to continue to find ways to enhance teaching and inspire student learning. It is an exciting time in Lorena ISD.”

33 LISD staff members will benefit from the grants that totaled $19,344.82.