3 days Ago By BY JOEL VALLEY | TELEGRAM STAFF
The Temple Education Foundation continues to expand its impact on the students and teachers in Temple ISD. Last week, Kathy Denton, the executive director of TEF, provided Temple ISD school board trustees with a detailed report on the fundraising that makes that mission possible. Denton told trustees that 60% of fundraising goes toward student scholarships while 40% goes to innovative teaching grants.
“Everything we’re doing is to fundraise for those teacher grants and student scholarships,” Denton said. “So it’s kind of nice that it’s just that easy.” In 2024, $46,975 was awarded in innovative teaching grants and $118,250 in student scholarships.
That annual figure and impact on the Temple ISD community is ever-growing, as the number of donors — even those who establish endowed scholarships — continues to rise. Last year, four new endowed scholarships were established, including those by the classes of 1965, 1968 and 1973. “Already, just throughout the summer, we have three more scholarships,” Denton said.
“So we find that there’s interest in the community where people are coming forward wanting to have a scholarship in their name or a loved one’s name.” Temple ISD school board President Dan Posey thanked Denton and everyone at the Temple Education Foundation for their hard work. “This is a great organization,” he said.
“What y’all do for the teachers and the students with the scholarships and the innovative teaching grants — it’s amazing. There are things that the district just could not do, so it’s so important this organization is strong and thrives with the hard work of the members.” The Temple Education Foundation is still selling tickets for its Distinguished Alumni Event on Oct.
9 at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center. This is the largest fundraising event of the year for the foundation, having raised $143,317 in 2023.
This year, Kirby Johnson, a member of the Temple High School class of 1972, and Willie Robertson, a member of the Dunbar High School class of 1965, were awarded as distinguished alumni and will be honored. Tickets may be purchased online at templeducationfoundation.org or by phone at (254) 215-6125.
“We feel like we have great people that we’re honoring — Kirby Johnson, a record winning basketball coach for Temple College and Temple High School, and Willie Robertson, a beloved pastor in the area and a civic leader,” Denton said. “Currently, we have $63,100 in corporate sponsorships, but we have a lot of verbal commitments.” Donations to TEF may be made online, and donors may select to donate to the general fund of TEF or select a scholarship of their choosing.
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