The Community Engagement team is excited to announce the 2024-2025 J. Landon Short Mini Grant for Educators winners!

For 35 years, SBISD has conducted a Mini Grants for Educators program. Over twenty years ago, the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation created a permanent program endowment in memory of J. Landon Short, a lifelong education advocate and SBISD patron.

This year, SBISD educators submitted 61 applications! Each application was reviewed by at least two members of a review committee of SBISD staff and program sponsors, using a blind judging process.

Congratulations to our highest scoring 41 applications submitted by educators from 24 SBISD campuses! Thank you to our partners whose generous funding of more than $24,000 made these mini grants possible! We so appreciate our partners’ support of educators and innovation in SBISD! #CollectiveGreatness!

Please join us in congratulating these Mini Grant winners!

Bunker Hill Elementary

Elizabeth Peltier – Empowering Students with Tools

Guthrie Center

Nakhestcia Franklin, Benjamin Baze, Alex Bove, Sarah Johnson – Empowering Culinary Excellence, Supporting Culinary Arts SkillsUSA Chapter
Nakhestcia Frankling – Cultivating Culinary Excellence, Enhancing Retention Through the Annual Culinary Practicum Banquet
Fuad Loutfi, Nabila Nuray Jarin – Drawing Aid
Mari Dunlap, Tracy Purvis – Twice the Potential, “Compounding Pharmacy Technician”

Housman Elementary

Yolanda Flores – Breaking the Cycle!

Landrum Middle

Sofia Guerrero – Enhancing Middle School Math with Hands-on Learning Tools
Jaime Trigo – Guitar for Stars

Lion Lane

Sara Allen, Kristen Nehring – The Magic Touch: Promoting Cross-Curricular Learning Through Sensorial Play

Memorial Middle

France Smolen, Allison Koenig – Empty Bowls
Christine King, Hector Cortez – Tuning into the Future

Northbrook High

Christopher McVay – Sculpting a Bright Future
Karen Whitefield – Maintaining Aquatic Ecosystems and Observing Water Quality

Nottingham Elementary

Kari Barrett, Sandra Henao – Weaving Literacy and Art Together
Stacey Subair, Sandra Henao – The Harmony Project

Pine Shadows Elementary

Veronica Hinojosa-Gonzalez – Making Moves

Rummel Creek Elementary

Debbie Hanlen – Little Listeners
Mike Hertlein – Fitness Engagement for All Grades
Rebecca Ramey – Engineers in the Making

Shadow Oaks Elementary

Aurelia Guzman, Sarah Barahona – Recognizing Student Achievement
Craig Mendizabal, Rachel Bohannon – Tools, Tools, and More Tools!

Sherwood Elementary

Andrew Breuninger – Rhythm Revamp

Special Education Department

Meredith Johnson, Virginia Meyer – Sensory Learning for Complex Learners

Spring Branch Academic Institute

Teresa Dolan – Full STEAM Ahead: Igniting Creativity and Curiosity
Julie Sirianni, Sarah Blanchard – Dragon SPIKE Upgrade
Katie Wood-Sponsel – Living History

Spring Branch Elementary

Natalie Johnson – Making Art Pop from 2D to 3D!

Spring Forest Middle

Kimberly Murphy – Reading and Writing Literacy Centers

Spring Woods High

Joshua Ault – The Regit
Sean Doyle, Gina Disteldorf – Erosion in the Bayou City
Amy Mata – Palme d’Or: Classroom Theater
Brandon McNeal, Patrick Dykes – Pitch Perfect: Equipping our Band with Advanced Tuners for Optimal Performance
Ruthelen Robinson – Au Revoir, CO2!

Spring Woods Middle

Allison Tilotta – Sharp Dressed Man

Terrace Elementary

Melanie Dulworth, Jamie Newby – Give me a Break!

Thornwood Elementary

O’rela Murgia, Linda Gordillo – Supporting 5^th Grade Literacy and English Learners with Raz-Plus Programs
Nora Tellez – Fun-tastic Math Adventures

Tiger Trail School

Esther Lynn – Empowering Early Literacy Through Writing Baskets in a PreK Classroom

Westchester Academy

Wennie Sansing – Daring Dissections
Jennifer Wismer – Accounting Simulation, Cloud Based Software for Real World Practice

Wilchester Elementary

Anne Marie Thomeer, Judith Dodd, Denise St. Julien – More Practice, More Progress

Housman Elementary

Spring Branch ISD Celebrates 41 Recipients of the J. Landon Mini Grant for Educators