Abilene’s first-year teachers get $150 grant for classroom supplies

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – First-year Abilene ISD teachers each received a $150 grant to help with essential classroom items.

In less than two weeks, students will be back in class at most Big Country schools, so parents are planning back-to-school shopping. Clothes, backpacks, and plenty of other items on the supply lists add up, and it adds up for teachers as well. Every teacher must prepare their classrooms to create the best learning environment, and for new teachers just starting, there’s a lot of expense in their first year.

Conall McCright was just one of many first-year teachers featured as guests for the Abilene Education Foundation’s 15th Annual Judy Dudley Memorial G.I.F.T. grants. These grants are specifically designed for first-year teachers to use in purchasing essential supplies for their classrooms. McCright outlined how this money will affect his classroom as a new music teacher.

“Getting materials for various music instruction will be difficult, but with this grant, it’s going to be a lot easier to both fund those and find those so that these students can receive a comprehensive and well-rounded music education.”

34 first-year teachers with Abilene ISD received a grant totaling $150 each, and Executive Director for the Abilene Education Foundation, Adam Samuels, spoke to how their grant is specifically catered to suit the needs of these educators, no matter what subject they teach.

“We know that they all are probably the best experts of what’s needed for them, and so there are no restrictions on how they could use the money. It’s whatever you’re going to need. Is it supplies? Is it books? Is it materials? Is it a resource? Whatever that is, it’s up to them. They’re the best judge of what’s appropriate or what would be meaningful.”

For some, this grant may seem like a drop in the bucket compared to what teachers contribute, but for these new educators like Conall McCright, this gesture of support goes a long way.

“I have a wonderful group of administrators behind me and aides to help me through every single day. But now it’s up to me to pinpoint what to do next and to help these students really learn what they need to learn.”