Since 1996, the McAllen Education Foundation (MEF) has raised monies and funded grants for teachers in McAllen ISD. This year, they came through in record fashion. The MEF announced this week, it will fund a record 105 grants for a record $215,000.
The grants, which were announced on December 8 at the MEF Grant Award Celebration held at the UTRGV McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy, will go to teachers at all 31 campuses in the school district.
“It takes all aspects of a community working together to provide an educational environment that will lead to student success,” McAllen ISD Superintendent Dr. René Gutiérrez said. “We deeply appreciate the organization’s efforts.”
The official total is $215,517 with some of the grants in the $5,000 range. This will turn teacher dreams into reality and provide students with unique experiences where they are able to explore, discover, create and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.
“This is one way communities, small or large, can get together and give back to their teachers just to show them a little bit of appreciation,” MEF Board Member Luis Vela said. “As a community, being able to gather and help the school district, that’s the main goal.”
In just the last two years, the MEF has funded 175 grants for about $365,000. Its 17 members are local civic and business leaders who care deeply about McAllen ISD’s children, teachers and schools. In 29 years, the MEF has now funded 597 grants worth approximately $930,000.
The MEF is now organizing its annual bowling tournament for February to raise funds for next year.