EDUCATION FOUNDATION by Krisleigh Hoermann
Building a Stronger Community Through Reading
More than 20 years later, Wylie ISD Education Foundation and its corporate sponsors support education to make a profound impact in the community
H
ermione Granger’s heart would break.
The fictional character from J.K. Rowling’s novels was often mocked for being so bookish, but it was her well-read nature that got Harry and Ron out of trouble almost every time. Today, she would be mostly alone. A recent study from Pew Research Center found that U.S. children don’t read like they did in previous generations. Enter Lauren Kessel, assistant principal at McMillan Junior High in Wylie ISD. In her previous role as a seventhgrade English Language Arts and Reading teacher, she found half of her classroom did not like reading. Kessel decided to expand her classroom library, integrating more comic books and graphic novels to be easily accessed and read by her students. Thanks to a grant from Wylie ISD Education Foundation, she provided her students with new books and inspired a love for reading. “Having graphic novels as an option in my classroom library opened the door for all students to become readers no matter what their opinion of reading is or their ability,” Lauren said. “The goal was to get the right books that students want in their hands so their world opens up, and the funding of the grant made it possible.” This grant brought her students together to learn, share, and grow. Lauren is one of many educators who have applied for grants. RLK A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication
Engineering, a longtime supporter of the Foundation and Wylie Chamber of Commerce member, funded the grant and saw it as an opportunity to support education while building a stronger community and future workforce. “Corporate supporters are an integral part of building the community through our schools,” said Windi Fuller, executive director of Wylie ISD Education Foundation. “Their dedication to empowering students will help them become solid corporate citizens in the future.” Powered by the generosity of its donors, the Foundation has empowered educators, fueled learning and discovery, and supported students and their families by funding more than $2.3 million in grants and scholarships since 2002. Many of these funds are earned through its annual Boots ‘N Barbecue gala, where supporters, like PBK, Pogue Construction, Tibbals Family Foundation, Lynes Family, The Wylie News, Park Place Dealerships, RLK Engineering, and many more come together to give back to students and educators. To learn more about Wylie ISD Education Foundation and how you can make a meaningful impact in Wylie ISD, please go to wisdfoundation.org. •
Boomtown Sponsor
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