Friday, October 30 was anything but a normal day across Mount Pleasant ISD. Halloween costumes brought a little frightful fun, some students and staff members were all aglow for “Neon Day”, and the Mount Pleasant ISD Foundation brought the biggest treat of all: educator grants! With the help of the Tiger Doll Officers, Cheer Captains, and members of the Goin’ Gold Band, the Foundation brought no tricks, just treats for some very deserving Tiger staff members.

“The MPISD Education Foundation has funded 51 grants totaling $75,211.61,” this fall, said Executive Director, Mariela Crockett. “This breaks last year’s record, for the most grants awarded in one cycle. Since its inception in 2014, the Foundation is now approaching a significant milestone—over $952,000 in total funds awarded to support educational initiatives across the district. This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of MPISD staff, teachers, and the broader Mount Pleasant community.”

Fall 2026 grant recipients and their funded projects are:

E.C. Brice Elementary School ($13,910.79)

§ Tiffany Bigelow: Document cameras and USB-C Adapters for 5 teachers.

§ Maria Flores: 65” BenQ Smart Board & Stand

§ Madison Woods: 65” BenQ Smart Board & Stand

§ Hannah Zambrano: Document camera and dry-erase table

§ Megan Hall: Dry-erase table

§ Amber Ring: Laptop charging cart, USB-C charger, iPad cases

§ Carmelita Perez: 5 Document cameras and USB-C hub

§ Genesis Day: 5 Document cameras

Frances Corprew Elementary School ($5,276.47)

§ Nakeisha Gardner: Wireless keyboards, keyboard cases, iPad cases

§ Jessica Simmons: materials to support hands-on activities

§ Melanie Falkner: Headphones with mics

§ Natalie Ramirez: 65” BenQ Smart Board & Stand

§ Amanda Phillips: Math games & manipulatives

Vivian Fowler Elementary School ($21,274.27)

§ Lorena Dominguez: 65” BenQ Smart Board & Stand

§ Allyson Ingram: Apple TV, teacher iPad Pro, Apple pencil & smart TV

§ Patsie De Santiago: Art Supplies

§ Amanda Woods: Books for classroom library

§ Cendy Zuniga: Teacher iPad pro, Apple pencil Pro, case

§ Rachel Vera: Communication board for for non-verbal students

§ Gabriela Vargas: Teacher iPad Pro, Apple pencil, case

§ Edith Moreno: Teacher iPad, Apple pencil, keyboard

§ Christi Moss: 2 student iPads & cases

§ Dulce Dominguez: Teacher iPad, Apple pencil, keyboard

§ Manuela Ramirez Sarabia: 4 student iPads

§ Patty Moreno: Dry-erase table

§ Gisel Garcia: Teacher iPad Pro, Apple pencil Pro, Apple TV Box, 4K TV

Annie Sims Elementary School ($4,919.97)

§ Sandra Avilez: One student iPad

§ Kennedy Moore: 65” BenQ Smart Board & Stand

§ Angel Moore: 24 in. iMac, docking station

P.E. Wallace Middle School ($18,062.90)

§ Billie Barnes: Reading pens for special education students

§ Janie Moreno-Hurtado: Cable management boxes and covers, AC adapters

§ Sonia Ibanez: iPad, Apple pencil, Apple TV box, Smart TV, laptop chargers

§ Christi Thurman: 65” BenQ Smart Board & Stand

§ Ruben Carreon Moya: Student iPad, Dell laptop chargers, extension cord

§ Karen Fox: 2 student iPads & cases

§ Dee Anne Kirkland: 1 student laptop

§ Magdalena Martinez: 2 student iPads, 2 cases, Dell adapters

§ Bryan Shelton: Dell AC adapters, Apple TV boxes

§ Elda Hernandez: iPad, Apple pencil, Smart TV, Keyboard case, wall mount

§ Natzyelly Gonzalez: iPad, Apple pencil, keyboard, smart TV & wall mount

§ Tracie Johnson: 65” BenQ Smart Board & Stand

Mount Pleasant Junior High ($6,659.85)

§ Noemi Loveless: 65” BenQ Smart Board & Stand

§ Brian Bigelow: 65” BenQ Smart Board & Stand

§ Rachel Hernandez: 1 iPad, I case, charging station, Apple TV box

§ Karina Cruz: Games, charging station

§ Rhonda Newman: Headphones

Mount Pleasant High School ($5,107.36)

§ Sarah Nickerson: Document camera

§ Rachel Narramore: Canon camera, lens & accesories

§ Kristy Ciuba: Adaptable kitchen equipment for special education students

§ Susanna Stephens: Sensory items for special education classroom

§ Kaylene Dimon: Games, books for special education classroom

The Foundation’s annual Crawfish Boil fundraiser is on April 3, 2027. Anyone interested in getting involved with the MPISD Foundation should contact Crockett at 903-575-2000. Those interested in giving may do so at https://www.mpisdfoundation.org/give/. Donations are tax deductible.