Cove Education Foundation to award highest amount in history
Special to Leader-Press
The numbers continue to climb. Forty-three applications from educators with innovative teaching methods poured in to the Copperas Cove Education Foundation this year as compared to 30 last year. More applications means more money will be awarded. In fact, it is the highest amount the foundation has awarded since its inception in 2008. This year, the foundation will award funds to10 schools and 29 teachers.
Copperas Cove Education Foundation board member Dr. Karen Harrison presented a mock check for that amount to the CCISD Board of Trustees at the monthly school board meeting on Nov. 10.
“This is really a pleasure for me because I think I’ve been here from the beginning, and when we started out, our check, which we thought was pretty big, was about $10,000,” Harrison said. “So, it’s exciting that every year, we can grow and grow and hopefully give more money away.”
Teachers from across the district from pre-K to high school submitted applications for various innovation teaching concepts involving computer labs to educational trips and forums. The grants will be awarded on an undisclosed date as the CCEF Prize Patrol surprises teachers in their classrooms covering them with silly string and presenting giant mock checks to fund their programs.
The Copperas Cove Education Foundation was created to support the educational programs for both the students and staff and provides funds for educational programs and activities which either have not been funded or have been under-funded by the normal operating budget. These funds are used to facilitate student achievement and skill development, to recognize and encourage staff excellence and to expand community involvement from individuals, businesses and civic organizations, said Copperas Cove Education Foundation President Etta Kay Kirpatrick, a former educator of more than 30 years and a part-time interventionist with CCISD.
“I believe we owe it to all our children to provide them with the very best education we possibly can so they can be productive, positive, contributing adults,” Kirkpatrick said. “I work with the education foundation because, outside of full-time educators, it is the only group solely dedicated to encouraging and supporting our teachers and students. We are grateful to the citizens of Copperas Cove for their support which allows us to continue on our mission.”
The foundation raises the funds it distributes largely through one major annual fundraiser, the Boots & Buckles Gala scheduled April 16 at the Copperas Cove Civic Center where Cove High graduate and former WNBA star Shereka Wright will be the guest speaker. The foundation also funds a banquet honoring CCHS senior who have scored academically in the top 10 percent of the graduating the class. Each senior is allowed to invite the educator who most impact his life to also attend the banquet as well as his parents.
Since 2008, the Copperas Cove Education Foundation has awarded $231,804 to educational programs in the district.