The Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (LEAF) Grant Express is one of the most joyful traditions at Lamar CISD. This year’s Grant Express brought smiles, cheers, and a few happy tears as LEAF awarded $500,669.21 in innovative classroom grants to teachers and campuses across the District. 

On Wednesday, December 3, LEAF volunteers, district leaders, community partners, foundation donors, and members of the Lamar CISD Board of Trustees loaded into nine buses and hit the road, surprising teachers with giant checks and even bigger moments of excitement as they learned their grant proposals had been approved after a rigorous months-long review process. Each stop on the tour showcased the hard work and heart of Lamar CISD educators who pour their passion and innovation into their classrooms each day. 

This year, LEAF reviewed 637 project submissions from campuses across the district, each one highlighting the creativity, dedication, and big thinking that Lamar CISD teachers bring to the classroom. After a careful scoring process by foundation volunteers, 230 grants were selected to receive funding in the current cycle. 

“This grant gives us the chance to build a sensory room for our babies, many of whom have high sensory needs,” Rebecca Bradshaw, Early Childhood Special Education teacher at Meyer Elementary, said. “It will support our special needs program, but counselors and students across the campus will benefit as well. Creating a space where students can feel safe, regulate, and learn in the way they need is truly a gift.”

Awarded projects will bring innovation across several areas, including fine arts, technology, literacy initiatives, and beyond. The investments in support of teachers are designed to help strengthen instruction, spark creativity, and ensure Lamar CISD students have every opportunity to dream big. 

“This year’s Grant Express was our biggest yet, and that’s a reflection of the extraordinary creativity found across our district,” LEAF Executive Director Kameela Lewis said. “When we fund these ideas, we’re not just giving money, we’re giving teachers the power to transform learning for thousands of students.”  

In addition to this year’s record-breaking impact, LEAF leadership expressed pride in the continued growth of donor support. 

“As a member of the LEAF Board since 2018, it makes me incredibly proud that we are able to raise this level of support for our schools,” Beverly Richard, President of the LEAF Board of Directors, said. “We take stewardship seriously, and our donors return each year because they see the impact. Knowing that these funds directly benefit our students, teachers, and campuses is truly empowering and deeply rewarding.”  

Special thanks to all the community partners and guests who joined this year’s tour and shared in the excitement. 

Community members who wish to support LEAF’s mission can make a tax-deductible donation or become a Friend of the Foundation by emailing LEAF@LCISD.org. 

To learn more about the foundation, visit www.LamarEducationalAF.com. 

To view event photos, please click HERE.