The Killeen ISD Education Foundation isn’t quite ready to bid farewell to its 25th anniversary year, surprising 21 educators Tuesday during its final grant patrol of 2025-2026.
The more than $75,695.46 doled out to unsuspecting, yet quite-pleased winners who were caught off guard by cheering co-workers and foundation members with tambourines and bells will fund opportunities that allow KISD’s educators to continue to grow in their craft, which in turn strengthens student learning and success.
“Giving out grants to the amazing staff of Killeen ISD is one of the most rewarding things we do each year. Today we were able to impact classrooms and educators across Killeen ISD by awarding grants specifically for Professional Development,” Education Foundation Director Leslie Gilmore said.
Gilmore, foundation specialist Jessica Cobb Frei, foundation intern Chloe King, board members Laura Dunnells, Bill Farley, Bary Heidtbrink and Trina Thompson, and chairpersons Julia Dorroh and Erin Mills split into two traveling groups to cover and set forth to deliver the good news in the form of giant checks.
More photos: www.killeenisd.org/photos.
Nine were elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, and two district buildings were included on the grant patrol Tuesday. Trimmier Elementary School has three recipients and Shoemaker had two.
Shana Robinson, campus instructional coach at Montague Village Elementary School, said she was shocked, excited and appreciative to be chosen for a $10,000 grant that will be used for a partnership with Lead4Ward to pursue a campus improvement plan.
“I am grateful to the Education Foundation and its generous donors for investing in our teachers, students, and future success. The support makes a direct impact in classrooms every day,” Robinson said.
“Through this incredible opportunity, we will work with Lead4ward to strengthen Tier 1 instruction, provide intentional coaching and feedback for teachers, and implement targeted spiral review resources focused on highly tested TEKS,” Robinson explained.
“This grant will provide our staff with a customized, data-driven plan designed specifically for our campus needs, helping us accelerate student growth and move toward our goal of achieving an “A” accountability rating.”
In December, the KISD education Foundation also delivered 22 grants that totaled $76,801 for various classroom and curriculum improvements. Overall, in 2025-2026, the foundation awarded almost $200,000 in educator grants and $130,000 in student scholarships.
“The work of an educator never stops, and we love playing a little part in helping our educators fine-tune their expertise so they can impact the learning of our amazing students,” Gilmore added. “What a privilege this is for all of us at the KISD Education Foundation.”
Grants awarded Tuesday
Angelica Joseph, Alice W. Douse: Teaching, Leading, Coaching –– $449
Sandy Landes, Chaparral: AVID Certified Educator –– $1,249
Sarah Barnum, Clifton Park: TCEA –– $5,806.38
Shatilya Brooks, District Coordinator for Guidance and Counseling –– $2,400
Savannah Jimenez, JDA: Accelerated Learning Institute –– $1,774.70
Deleen Price, Harker Heights High School: TCA Counselor Conference –– $5,969
McKenzie Genovese, Hay Branch: Elevate Your Classroom –– $1,719
Jennifer Kennison, Haynes: Innovative Schools Summit –– $6,000
Cyndi Carlton, School Safety Specialist: Texas School Safety Conference –– $9,372.39
Summer Heidtbrink, Liberty Hill: Ron Clark Academy Experience –– $2,453.25
Shana Robinson, Montague Village: Lead4Ward Campus Improvement Plan –– $10,000
Rayanne Polm, Reeces Creek: Library Administrators Workshop –– $,1616.60
Tasha LaBoy, Cavazos: Elementary Technology Conference –– $947.30
Gladys Harper, Smith: Amplify Success Conference –– $6,546.40
Lori Kostencki, Saegert: Space To Sing TCDA –– $2,054.80
Deborah Whitesides, Shoemaker: Literacy Texas Conference –– $1,190.60
Xiomarys Rodriguez-Garcia, Shoemaker –– Region 10 Workshop –– $3,453
Paula Lawrason, KISD Executive Director for Specialized Learning: ASHA Learning Pass –– $3,335
Ada Ramos, Trimmier: ELEVATE –– $4,529.94
Caitlin Dunnells, Trimmier: Conscious Discipline –– $1,849
Rolonda Jones, Trimmier: TLC Conference ––$2,980.10