AHSCH 2011 AR-Newsletter 15ƒ.indd - AHISD ¦ Alamo Heights ...

Funding Excellence
ENDOWED FUNDS
The Foundation’s General Endowment was created in
the Fall of 2002 with the goal of obtaining long-term
fi nancial security for AHISD in support of the District’s
programs. Currently, the General Endowment provides
the annual salary for the Teacher for Academic Excellence
in Science. The Teacher for Academic Excellence
was established in 2007 to encourage distinguished
teachers at the secondary level advanced opportunities
in science education, including activities such as internships
in various science laboratories, independent
studies, special science projects and participation in
professional science conferences.
Rob Boldrick Memorial Fund was established in 1991 in
memory of Rob Boldrick, 1974 Alamo Heights graduate,
to support teachers whose study, training, or program
development will help students with a penchant for
learning and academic achievement; and those interested
in careers in science, mathematics, and language
arts. Two grants were funded through the 2010-2011 Rob
Boldrick Award: Colin Lang, Ignite Education –Raising
the Bar of Technology Education; Susan Thomas, Hotmath
subscription Pre-AP Geometry.
Glenn R. and Sally P. Ramsdell Fund was established
in 2007 through a bequest from Miss Jacqueline Ramsdell.
The income generated from the bequest funds a
teaching position in the area of English at AHHS. The
position of the Glenn R. and Sally P. Ramsdell Memorial
Chair in English is fi lled with a highly creative, enthusiastic
person whose primary task is to nurture excitement
in literary pursuits within the students at Alamo
Heights High School. Gretchen Bernabei was hired as
the Ramsdell Chair in English in August 2009.
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Faye Langley Cowden Chair for Elementary Education
was established in 1994. Mrs. Cowden, a 1930 graduate
of Alamo Heights and former teacher, established the
endowment as a commitment to continued excellence
in AHISD elementary schools. Carol Espensen, a second
grade teacher at Cambridge, holds this position.
The AHISD Wellness Coordinator position was established
in 2009 (funded solely through Foundation gifts)
in support of providing a trained professional to help
with the social and emotional issues of the community
which impact all AHISD schools. Michelli Ramon serves
as the District’s Wellness Coordinator.
The Caroline Gose Fund was established in memory of
Caroline Gose, a 2003 Alamo Heights graduate, to support
a joint student-faculty project benefi ting the High
School and the Alamo Heights community in the areas
of journalism, theater or community service, refl ective
of Caroline’s interests. 2011 Recipients: Interact Club’s
Trip to the North Pole benefi tting terminally ill children;
Birthdays for Hope benefi tting the residents of Haven
for Hope.
The Graham Ladenshohn Memorial Lecture Series
was established in 1991, in memory of Graham Ladensohn,
who loved his teachers. The Graham Ladensohn
Memorial Lecture Series brings inspirational and educational
speakers to the Alamo Heights Independent
School District for faculty and the community.
The Martha Spoor Young Writers Fund was established
in honor of Martha Spoor, a 1987 graduate of
AHHS and an English teacher at the Junior School for
almost 14 years. Her goal was to instill in young people
a lifelong love of expressing themselves in their writing
through the use of critical thinking and creativity. The
fund supports a two-week summer writing workshop for
7th graders in AHISD.
The Charles Guenther Theater Arts Fund was established
in 2008 in memory of Charles Guenther, a 1993
Alamo Heights graduate who loved providing technical
assistance for Alamo Heights High School dramatic
productions. The fund assists the Theater Arts Department
at the High School with its theater productions.
The Ida M. Kennedy Fund was established in memory
of Mrs. Kennedy, a math teacher at the Junior School.
She was remembered for her ability to inspire her students,
individualize her curriculum, and encourage
academic excellence for her math students and the
students she served by sponsoring the National Junior
Honor Society.
The Johnnie Eng Fund for Teaching Excellence was
established upon his retirement in 2003 to honor the
impact Mr. Eng had on the lives of his students and
colleagues. As a result of the Johnnie Eng Fund, six
teachers were selected to attend special training at the
Schlecty Center as part of the AHISD strategic plan.
The Shine Bright Fund was established in 2011 in memory
of Sarah Chidgey Hughes, who was an elementary
school teacher, and in honor of her mother, Denise
Chidgey, who taught for over 30 years at Woodridge.
When the fund matures, it will be used to support instruction
and inspire teachers.
The Paul A. Foerster Math Fund was established in
2011 in support of Paul Foerster’s 50 years of teaching
at Alamo Heights High School. These funds will provide
support to the math teachers for professional development,
memberships, speakers, training and release
time for mentoring.
AHSCH 2011 AR-Newsletter 15ƒ.indd 10 11/11/11 10:30:08 AM