Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. Awards Its Annual Employee Scholarship Award for Continuing Education
 
For the eighth year, the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. proudly awards its Employee Scholarship Award to assist district staff members who are pursuing classes and/or certifications related to classroom education in English, math, science, social studies, bilingual education, special education, STEAM, or counseling with the intent of improving classroom instruction and direct services to students in LISD. 
 
This year, the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. awarded one $500 scholarship to Zaneta Ray, teacher at Ware East Texas Montessori Academy.  Mrs. Ray is pursuing a master’s degree in counseling at the University of Texas at Tyler.  Her career goal is to make a positive impact on the school community and work directly with students and their families to meet the students’ needs.  She plans to provide excellent individual counseling, group counseling, classroom guidance, and college and career readiness guidance.  Davia’ Morrison, academic dean at Ware, recommended Mrs. Ray for the scholarship, saying that she has a passion for motivating students.  She also noted that Mrs. Ray successfully establishes goals for her students and creates incentives for her students and then celebrates their success.
 
The Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. also awarded a $500 scholarship to Alexandra Silva-Jasper, an agriculture teacher who is in her fifth-year teaching agriculture science at Longview High School.   She also serves as a FFA advisor and trains students for the FFA Creed and Spanish Creed Leadership Development events.  Mrs. Silva-Jasper has been accepted into the Texas Tech Distance Learning PhD/EDD program, pursuing a doctorate in Agriculture Education and Communications.   
 
Harold Gober, Longview High school plumbing instructor, recommended Mrs. Silva-Jasper.  He stressed her work ethic and teaching ability, especially pointing out that her students always come first.  He also noted her leadership ability and willingness to work with students to become leaders as they participate in livestock competitions. 
 
Helping students receive instruction from well-trained educators who want to remain in the classroom is exactly why the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. offers the Employee Scholarship. 
 
This continuing education scholarship is just one of the programs the Foundation sponsors in support of Longview ISD educators and students.  Through the Foundation’s Great Rewards for Great Ideas, the Campus Initiative Grant, and the John W. Harrison, Jr. Academic Field Trip Grant, the Foundation has returned $1,140,745.90 to LISD classrooms and campuses.