The Dallas Education Foundation (DEF), in collaboration with The Rees-Jones Foundation, proudly announces the awarding of over $65,000 in Heart of Teaching grants to 17 exceptional Dallas ISD educators. These grants will fund a wide range of innovative projects aimed at uplifting and empowering students with special needs.
In 2024, DEF awarded 16 Heart of Teaching: Advancing Equity through Innovation in Special Education grants to support students with special needs. Over the past year, DEF actively sought to bring even more deserving educator-led projects to life. That search led to a powerful partnership with The Rees-Jones Foundation, which provided a generous $67,000 matching grant—doubling the impact and enabling the funding of an additional 17 projects across the district.
From sensory rooms and flexible seating to arts programs and student-run stores, these projects reflect the creativity and dedication of Dallas ISD teachers in building inclusive, engaging learning environments for all students.
Congratulations to the 2025 Heart of Teaching Advancing Equity through Innovation in Special Education grant recipients:
- Christine Bickers, Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary
- Toni Cheri Butler, Frank Guzick Elementary School
- Youngsun Choi, Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Middle School
- Michell Dukes, E.B. Comstock Middle School
- Pamela Jenkins, Martin Weiss Elementary School
- Dora Karim, Barbara Manns High School – DAEP
- Adriana Perez, Leslie A. Stemmons Elementary School
- Yizzel Pompa, Leila P. Cowart Elementary School
- Patricia Reyes, W.H. Adamson High School
- Rachel Rogerson, W.W. Samuell High School
- Jennifer Rottkamp, W.H. Adamson High School
- Shauniesa Sisk, Central Elementary School
- Stashawn Swist, Jerry R. Junkins Elementary School
- Jewel Vaughn, Anne Frank Elementary School
- Lenett Wilson, Adelfa Botello Callejo Elementary School
- Karen Wood, W.W. Samuell High School
Project Spotlights:
- Cut, Create, Connect! Cricut Club for Campus Pride at Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary will provide students with special needs a safe, supportive, and creative space to build confidence and community through design.
- The ‘Cougar Store’ at Comstock Middle School will launch a student-run store as a way to empower students, promote financial literacy, and develop future-ready skills.
- Culturally Responsive Community Art will expand a school-wide art program at W.W. Samuell that fosters inclusion through collaborative, culturally relevant visual art experiences.
The Dallas Education Foundation looks forward to seeing these transformative ideas come to life in classrooms and campuses across the district!
