The Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation is proud to announce that it has received a $100,000 grant to support teacher development and retention in Round Rock ISD.
The grant comes from Georgetown nonprofit W.D. Kelley Foundation, which is awarding the grant in recognition of the 25-year anniversary of grant support to the community.
Funding will be used for the first-ever Connect 5 Conference, a full day of professional development for Round Rock ISD educators and staff.
“We are honored to partner with the Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation in supporting Professional Development for all teachers in the district,” said Carl Illig, executive director of the W.D. Kelley Foundation. “Education was important to Mr. Kelley and with this grant we honor his generosity and goodwill by providing a professional conference for all teachers in Round Rock ISD who work tirelessly to bring innovation and creativity to the classroom every day.”
More than 3,500 educators are expected to attend the February conference at the Kalahari Resort and Events Center, which will be providing additional support and services for the event.
“This conference will be the first of its kind for our district, and we’re excited at this opportunity. We can all come together to help our staff grow and support excellence in education for all students in Round Rock ISD,” said Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez.
With a goal of fostering unity, excellence and a stronger sense of community, the Connect 5 Conference will include keynotes breakout sessions that align with five key pillars: cultivate, create, center, community, and courtyard.
“We would not be able to provide this special professional development without the generous support of partners like the W.D. Kelley Foundation and the Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation,” Azaiez said.
The mission of the foundation is to engage and partner with innovative leaders who significantly impact education and human services in Williamson County. Since 1998, the W.D. Kelley Foundation has made grants in excess of $9.4 million.
The mission of the Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation is to develop and allocate resources to the district to enrich, enhance and maximize the quality of education for all students. The Foundation has been supporting teachers, students and staff for more than 38 years and has donated more than $10.2 million in support over the past 23 years.
“This is the largest one-time grant the Foundation has received to date and we cannot be more appreciative of Carl Illig and the W.D. Kelley Foundation for their partnership,” said PIE Foundation Executive Director Marianne Reap. “We’re excited to offer the opportunity to partner with local vendors who are interested in sponsoring a booth at the event to visit with the staff during the learning sessions.”
For more information to participate as a vendor and sponsor a booth, please contact the Partners in Eduction Foundation.
