The Alvin ISD Education Foundation Winners Wagon surprised 153 teachers on 26 different campuses on April 25 to award innovative teaching grants, according to a media release from the foundation. The foundation awarded $83,148.95 in grants to teachers and staff across the district, the media release stated. Foundation board members, Alvin ISD officials, school trustees, parents and community partners rode on school buses from school to school to award the grants, according to the media release. Alvin High School, Manvel High School and Shadow Creek Ranch band students, cheerleaders and mascots also assisted the foundation, the press release stated. “The students brought the spirit and the fun to the Winners Wagon, and they let everyone know that something exciting was happening,” Carol Nelson, lone finalist for AISD superintendent, said in the media release. Students joined in the celebration as staff members at each campus received giant-sized checks, the media release stated. “It is exciting to surprise these teachers and provide extra money to implement innovative ideas in their classrooms,” Sheila Olson, foundation executive director, said. Community support for the Alvin ISD Education Foundation Turtle Race enables the annual grants, Olson said. Staff members will use the grant dollars to implement various initiatives supporting student achievement and success at their schools, according to the media release. “We are so proud of all our grant recipients this year and can’t wait to see their grants in action,” foundation board President Amy Roudbari said in the media release. The INEOS ICAN Foundation, a Texas nonprofit, awarded the foundation a $7,300 grant this year, according to the media release. With those funds, the foundation gave an additional nine grants focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.