Scharbauer Foundation further invests in MISD Junior Highs
- gfranks38
- Nov 6
- 2 min read
Midland, TX - Scharbauer Foundation has awarded a grant to the Midland Education Foundation to strengthen teacher recruitment, retention, instructional quality, and leadership development across Midland ISD, with a particular emphasis on junior high campuses.
The $2 million investment will provide targeted support to improve student outcomes, deepen parent engagement, expand professional growth opportunities, and recruit and retain exceptional teachers and staff throughout the district.
Highlights of the grant:
Teacher Training: The Teach Like a Champion program, initiated in the district by the Abell-Hanger Foundation, will expand to junior high campuses and sixth grade math educators in the district after the prior success of the program for Midland ISD leadership. This program has shown to be especially impactful for new teachers, as it accelerates growth and boosts teacher retention.
Stipends: Recruitment, retention, and effectiveness stipends will be provided over the course of two school years for math and RLA (reading language arts) teachers to increase teacher retention in core subjects.
Principal Supervisors Coaching and Training: This program builds leadership capacity by coaching principal supervisors and is specifically aligned to national Principal Supervisor Professional Standards.
Student Tutoring: Previously vetted and successful tutoring offerings will be expanded across junior high campuses.
Campus Upgrades: The Midland ISD junior high campuses (Abell, Alamo, Goddard, and San Jacinto) will receive funds for needed updates to enhance the student and parent experience.
“Teachers give so much of themselves every day, and we believe that they deserve every opportunity to grow as leaders,” said Mary Ann Beninati, CEO & President of the Scharbauer Foundation. “By investing in their development and leadership skills, we're helping them continue to create stronger classrooms, stronger schools, and overall, a stronger community for years to come.”
Scharbauer Foundation’s partnership with the district reflects its continued commitment to empowering educators and strengthening the local education ecosystem to drive long-term success for students and for the community. This focus on junior high campuses is not new for the Foundation. Earlier this year, the Foundation funded a partnership between MISD and Baylor College of Medicine for a new STEM+M program in the junior high schools.
"We are truly grateful for the Scharbauer Foundation’s remarkable generosity and unwavering support, and partnership. Their investment of more than $2 million is a powerful statement of belief in our students, our staff, and the future of Midland ISD. The Foundation has long been a trusted partner in education, and I am honored to continue working alongside them to ensure our students and teachers have every opportunity to succeed," said Dr. Stephanie Howard, MISD Superintendent.
Media Contact:
Megan Buck
Vice President of Grantmaking & Communications
Scharbauer Foundation
432-683-2220
Andrea Messick
Chief Communications Officer
Midland ISD
432-240-1040
About Scharbauer Foundation:
Scharbauer Foundation, Inc. is a private charitable foundation that works to make Midland a better place in which to live and operate a business. Since 2011, the Foundation has supported organizations, projects, and activities that make significant impacts in the community, prioritizing its four focus areas of education, healthcare, quality of place, and human services. For more information, visit www.scharbauerfoundation.org.
