KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
October 13, 2019
By Addie Davis
The Katy ISD Education Foundation will host its 7th annual Fireflies & Foodtrucks event on Thursday, October 17 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at No Label Brewery. The event will benefit the foundation and its Inspiring Imagination teacher grant program.
Celebrating Katy ISD Teachers
"Fireflies unite individuals in our community with the shared belief that educating children is everyone's responsibility," says Partners in Education Specialist Kaylyn Elissa.
All proceeds help provide the financial means for creative teachers to fulfill their classroom dreams through the Inspiring Imagination teacher grants.
Back by popular demand is The Earl Sanders Jr. Band. Plus, attendees can enjoy the wine garden, a variety of food trucks, and the added opportunity of contributing to the foundation’s teacher grant initiative. Valet parking will also be available.
Inspiring Imagination
The heart and soul of the Katy ISD Education Foundation is awarding Inspiring Imagination teacher grants that provide financial support for innovative programs throughout the district.
"Students are exposed to a greater vision for their future, potential careers and educational choices," says Elissa, "Teachers tell us they've also seen grant activities boost student confidence, increasing their comfort level with subject areas."
Since its first grants were awarded in 2013, funds have allowed teachers from kindergarten through high school to introduce their students to new technologies, challenging ideas and dynamic hands-on learning. Many of these visionary projects have brought state-of-the-art tools and instructional materials that will be used in subsequent years and by additional teachers – considerably multiplying the impact of the original grants.
2019-2020 Inspiring Imagination Teacher Grant Recipients Honored by Katy ISD Board of Trustees
"Grants are awarded via a three-step blind evaluation process managed by our Foundation Grant Development Committee," says Elissa, "Campus and teacher names are hidden on all applications ensuring each application is evaluated on merit alone."
All grant activities are inspired by teacher creativity and expertise and have a wide range.
Morton Ranch High School U.S. History team's "Step into History" grant provided the team the opportunity to go back in time through virtual reality. They stepped into the Gilded Age and visited Ellis Island as well as experiencing difficult living conditions associated with that time.
"This grant brought history to life by allowing students to experience places, events and decades," says Elissa, "Not just a lesson."
The Foundation celebrated a major milestone this year with $1,600,000 awarded in its first seven years of Inspiring Imagination teacher grants. Previous Fireflies & Foodtrucks and its proceeds played a key role in reaching that milestone and will continue to garner much-needed support as the foundation’s grant program expands. The foundation’s eighth grant cycle begins this fall, awarding grants to teachers in May 2020.
Ticket Information
Admission for the event is $50 per person, paid in advance, and covers food and beverage costs. For an additional $25 per person, guests can also purchase exclusive VIP Bar Experience tickets featuring access to exclusive No Label brews. Groups of eight can purchase a Party Pack for $500, which includes this year’s Fireflies & Foodtrucks shirt. Both VIP Bar Experience and Party Pack admission sales are limited availability.
Early ticket and sponsorship purchases for Fireflies & Foodtrucks are both encouraged. Find more information about the event and register here.
The Katy ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that unites people and companies with big hearts and a big belief in Katy ISD teachers and students to provide unprecedented opportunities for both. Learn more about the Foundation and its grants by visiting their website or email foundation@katyisd.org.