Dallas’ Best Teachers Get Big Money Help from the Junior League: $1.7 Million Program Recognizes Educators Who Go Above and Beyond

This school year, students in the Dallas Independent School District  will discover modern art through 3D printer pens, build wind turbines, compete in a national robotics competition, and more — thanks to many devoted, enterprising, and innovative teachers and more than $123,000 from the Junior League of Dallas.

The Junior League recently selected the 2017-2018 recipients of their Grants for Innovative Teaching (GFIT), a signature project for the League that has given approximately $1.7 million in total to Dallas ISD educators to fund special programs since 1992.

In order to qualify, applicants for grants had to propose a project that met a number of requirements including being innovative in nature and measurable in impact.

This year, teachers across Dallas did their homework and went above and beyond to provide exceptional educational experiences for their students. After reviewing a record number of applications, the committee selected 69 grand recipients from 55 different Dallas ISD elementary, middle, and high schools.

The grant recipients were recognized at an awards ceremony at the JLD Headquarters to kick off the 2017-2018 school year. JLD President Jennifer Tobin addressed the audience – filled not only with teachers receiving grants, but proud school administrators, enthusiastic students, and supportive families.

Before committee chair Eleanor Luna congratulated grant recipients, DISD Chief of Staff Pamela Lear then spoke of the importance of innovation in teaching, followed by Tracy Steiner from the Texas Instruments Foundation, the presenting sponsor of the Junior League Dallas GFIT program.

Junior League volunteers will provide support throughout the year, ensuring educators have the tools and resources they need to carry out their innovative projects.