The Thrall Community Education Foundation awarded $23,446 in grant funding to local teachers in December, providing new resources for students through the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year.
The grants, distributed Dec. 19 on the final day of classes before winter break, support a variety of initiatives across Thrall Independent School District, including middle school community trips, high school library expansions, and specialized classroom technology.
Catherine Kohler, an elementary science teacher, received a $1,500 grant to purchase beakers, scales, and protective gear for her classroom. Kohler said the hands-on materials are vital for long-term retention.
Kohler noted that experiencing science through experimentation brings lessons to life. “I think it’s super important to have these hands-on experiments because science just builds. It doesn’t go away, especially life sciences. You’re going to learn about your earth for the rest of your life,” she said.
High School CTE teacher and senior class sponsor, Monica Barton, secured several grants, including $2,000 for a billboard on Highway 79 to honor the top 10% of the Class of 2026.
“I would like to honor our seniors and give them a little more special attention as the top 10 percent, because I feel like they’ve worked hard and deserve the recognition,” Barton said.
To support Thrall's growing FFA program, Barton along with fellow ag teachers Clint Nygard and Carly Lopez, received $3,000 for a professional laminating machine and $3,000 to cover travel expenses for the Texas FFA Convention.
“The grant program is a blessing,” Barton said.
Katy Downs, a sixth-grade math teacher at Thrall Middle School, received a $500 grant to develop a supplemental curriculum and $1,200 to implement an "I Clicker" system. The handheld devices allow students to answer questions on a shared screen, reducing the digital distractions often found on traditional laptops.
This was Downs' first time applying for the funding. “It’s really exciting to be able to add some resources and some quality things to the classroom to help reach all learners,” she said.