“SPOTLIGHT” TEACHERS RECEIVE RED-CARPET TREATMENT AT GALA EVENT

Excitement and drama filled the air as 74 Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District teachers were cheered by student “fans” from their home schools as they each walked the red carpet Oct. 23.

These outstanding “Spotlight Teachers” were the stars of the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation’s 11^th annual Salute to the Stars Gala held at the Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center. One teacher from each Cy-Fair school was “nominated” for the honor by their campus principal and administrative team.

CFEF stages the event each year to honor Spotlight Teachers, and to raise funds for Cy-Fair ISD’s Instructional Excellence Grant program and CFEF’s student scholarship program. 

The 2008 event brought in over $160,000 for those two worthy causes.

“These donations are critical to the Cypress-Fairbanks School District,” said Pam Wells, Cy-Fair ISD’s associate superintendent for facilities, planning and community relations. “In this time of serious financial constraints brought on by the Texas Legislature’s method of financing public schools, this money helps to provide needed professional development to enhance teacher excellence which benefits all of our students.”

The Cy-Fair ISD school board also saluted the Spotlight Teachers – from 47 elementary schools, 23 secondary schools and four special programs facilities – at a special meeting in May.

In addition to placing the spotlight on Cy-Fair ISD educators, CFEF recognized Dr. Thomas L. DeBauche, an esteemed cardiologist, as a Friend of Education CFISD.  Dr. DeBauche, whose practice is Cy-Fair Cardiovascular Associates at 11301 Fallbrook Drive, is an active volunteer in Cy-Fair ISD schools and has donated 12 EKG machines for conducting heart screenings on student athletes.

Lauri Baker, a counselor at Cy-Fair ISD’s Arnold Middle School, and Linda Humphries, Vice President of the West Belt branch of Allegiance Bank Texas, co-chaired the 2008 Salute to the Stars Gala.

“Our loyal business community, Cy-Fair residents and community partners were very generous this year in supporting this event to recognize the outstanding educators in our school district,” Humphries said.

The 2008 Event Underwriter was Cy Fair Federal Credit Union. The sponsor for “Academy Award Superintendent’s Table” was SHW Group, LLP; and the “Red Carpet” sponsor was Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital & Tenet Healthcare Foundation.

Caldwell Companies sponsored a drawing for a $1,000 cash prize, which was won by Spotlight Teacher Shannon Garton, who teaches at Frazier Elementary School.

General Growth Properties’ Bridgeland donated $100 gift certificates to each of the Spotlight Teachers.

Each Spotlight Teacher was the honoree at his or her own table, which were sponsored by generous donors.

“Salute to the Stars exceeded our expectations again this year,” said Marie Holmes, CFEF Executive Director. “The community support we received was phenomenal.”

At this year’s event, CFEF presented a check for $100,000 to Dr. David Anthony, Cy-Fair ISD Superintendent, which represented the funds raised at the 2007 Salute to the Stars Gala.  Those funds will be used by Cy-Fair ISD to fund instructional excellence professional development grants this school year. 

Kelli Durham, Cy-Fair ISD’s assistant superintendent for communication, said in recent years the grants have been used for teacher training for district-wide initiatives, such as “Capturing Kids Hearts” and “Quantum Learning” programs.

“Using the grant monies this way touches the lives of more of our students and has the potential of impacting learning over time rather than for just one year,” Durham said.

The committee will be meeting soon to discuss how this year's funds will be used, she said.

In addition to the money raised for instructional excellence professional development grants, CFEF also raised $126,000 for student scholarships this year at the annual “Bogeys & Boots” dinner and auction/B.F. Adam Classic golf tournament in May.

Planning is already underway for CFEF’s 2009 powerhouse fund-raising events. Contact Marie Holmes for information about underwriting and sponsorships opportunities at 832-381-2333, or e-mail marie@thecfef.org