Testimonials

Transforming our schools, supporting our community

“I’ll begin by saying that every single vision I had for this grant is fulfilled.
Our giant wall-mount Scrabble board was delivered a couple of weeks before we left for Spring Break. We played many times, as most of my students had completed their Q3 work. The students couldn’t wait to put up their computers, break out the Official Scrabble Players Dictionaries (which you also provided), and make words! They played in teams, and to increase the level of socialization, the teams were different each time. Every goal and testimonial of the grant came to fruition. To paraphrase: You haven’t lived till you’ve seen teenagers argue over a dictionary! (In the spirit of learning, they are allowed to use the dictionaries, but under a 2-minute time limit.) Your gift is a miracle in areas of academics, socialization, strategy, and so much more. Since we’ve left school, I continue to communicate with my students. I’m not exaggerating when I say that every single student talks about how much they miss our classroom and mostly, that they miss playing Scrabble. In fact, the first thing they say is how they wish they were back in school so we could play Scrabble! Boundless thanks, GEF. Our gratitude is immeasurable.”

Lorrie N. Tingle, B.B.A., B.S.E.
The Pointe: GMSD’S Alternative Education Program

“Dogwood is grateful to have been awarded a generous GEF grant that will add an outdoor classroom to our campus! Bringing learning outside in nature will provide so many possibilities and benefits for our students”

Joye Phipps, Assistant Principal

“By reading a picture book a day with students, our children will be exposed to not only great literature read fluently by a teacher, but will also have a chance to learn important social and emotional skills through characters and conversations with others”

Alexa Guynes, Dogwood Elementary

“I was so happy to receive my Knowledge Tree gift card so that I was able to buy colored paper and construction paper to use for my social studies projects, and I purchased border and pre-cut letters to decorate my room!”

Elizabeth hume, HMS 6th grade

“I used my Knowledge Tree gift card to purchase interactive history games, a classroom set of scissors and colored pencils for our MakerSpace, and classroom posters to reflect students’ cultures and voices. These powerful tools help create a culturally-responsive and engaging environment so students thrive!”

Danielle Talley, HMS 8th Grade

“Thank you for all of your efforts to support us! We truly appreciate you!!”

The Houston HS Foreign Language Department

“Dear Germantown Education Foundation Members, Thank you so much for our Treasures for Teachers gift cards. We sincerely appreciate your generous gifts which benefit our Dogwood children”

Dogwood Third Grade Teachers

“Thank you for the amazing Knowledge Tree gift card and paper donation! We are so grateful for all of your hard work to support our classrooms!!!”

Diane Perry, Dogwood Teacher

“Thank you so much for your support. As you know, it is a hard task to keep classrooms and schools going. You always go far beyond in your help. Our schools are successful because of the support and generosity of the GEF. Thanks!”

Alicia Breen, Teacher, Houston Middle School

“I’m so excited about all the wonderful things the Germantown Education Foundation is doing for our schools! Pulling all the schools in our district together for family oriented and “fun”draising events is just what we need. Having an organization dedicated to forming these relationships and paring them with the needs of the schools will be extremely valuable and fill in where the PTA’s and other school support organizations may not be able to do.”

Amy Jenkins, Proud Riverdale mom and PTA President

“It has been thrilling to see the excitement in the teacher’s faces as they are awarded the STAR Teacher awards and from the students. The students are so proud that they can recognize the teachers they care about while supporting the GEF. This program is a wonderful way to teach the gift of philanthropy and helping others.”

Mindy Fischer, former PTA Council President and Proud GMSD Mom