The Calallen Education Foundation (CEF) is pleased to announce and welcome Mr. Austin Anderson to the CEF Board of Directors.  Mr. Anderson is a Business Development Manager for AG|CM Inc. located in Corpus Christi.  He is certified in Construction Quality Management for Contractors (CQM-C) through the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 

Austin is actively involved in the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Corpus Christi Class 49, Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation and the Young Professionals of the Coastal Bend.  He decided to serve on the Calallen Education Foundation Board of Directors because he values the way the Foundation supports teachers with grants and the fact that the teaching staff has an opportunity to improve the quality of life for their students through the work of the Foundation.

In addition to his volunteer service, Austin has a passion for the outdoors.  He enjoys water sports (wake surfing, skiing, boating), hunting and fishing.  He currently lives in the Corpus Christi area and is raising his young son.  He is happy to be involved in the community and wants to give back to the costal bend to make it a better place for the residents and visitors. 

The Calallen Education Foundation (CEF), with the generous contributions of our donor partners, provides grants to teachers striving for innovative and creative ways of teaching within Calallen ISD.  Typically, the CEF Board of Directors, along with the Calallen Marching Band parades through the campuses surprising grant winners with their grant checks.  This special event is called Grant Patrol.

This year, the CEF Grant Patrol, scheduled for late March, was cancelled due to social distancing requirements and the fact that teachers and students are working from home.  But that did not stop the Calallen Education Foundation from delivering those grants to deserving educators. 

The CEF Board of Directors recorded special messages of congratulations to each grant winner and on April 9, the videos were sent to the winners informing them of their grant award.  In all, 13 major grants were awarded totaling over $66,000!

Conni Kohlenberg Wise, President of the CEF, said, “We needed to award those grants so the teachers could place the orders for the items the funds were intended to provide for their classrooms.  We want them to return and have what they need.  Creating the videos was a fun way for our Board to notify the grant winners and still surprise them.  We enjoyed going virtual!  And the teachers appreciated it too!”

Click here to see a list of the Calallen Education Foundation Spring Grant Winners.

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Since 2011, the Calallen Education foundation has awarded over $421,000 to the educators with the Calallen ISD.  To donate or volunteer, please visit www.calalleneducationfoundation.org.

The Calallen Education Foundation (CEF) supports student programs, projects and initiatives that do not receive tax-based funding.  The CEF provides grants and financial backing to innovative and inspiring educators striving for excellence in instruction and superior student learning. 

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“As an Aggie we learn to give back to our community – I am doing what I was taught” said Johnnie Bickham when asked why he is involved with the Calallen Education Foundation.  “Good schools make the community a better place and the Calallen Education Foundation supports our future.”

More than 12 years ago Mr. Johnnie Bickham was invited to the board of directors for a neighboring education foundation.  During a board meeting a grant winner addressed the members about the impact they were having in the classroom.  That is when Johnnie knew that Calallen needed an education foundation.  He and his daughter, Brigette, made a list of names and Dr. Almendarez, Calallen ISD Superintendent, sent them a letter inviting them to participate in a discussion about founding the Calallen Education Foundation.

As a former teacher and coach, Mr. Bickham supports education.  And he has always supported Calallen.  He lives in Calallen and raised his kids in Calallen.  He has his business in Calallen.  Mr. Bickham has been on the Calallen ISD School Board and he is a founding member of the Calallen Education Foundation.  His daughter, Brigette Filla, is a teacher at Calallen High School and his grandchildren attend Calallen. 

A local State Farm Agent, he gives to numerous clubs and organizations that benefit the students at Calallen ISD.  In 2010 he provided the first major donation to the Calallen Education Foundation and continues to provide significant contributions annually.  He began attending Calallen Education Foundation Board meetings and is still an active Board Member today.

The Calallen Education Foundation (CEF) is pleased to welcome Ms. Amanda Kathleen Geary, Calallen Class of 2012, to the Board of Directors.  Amanda has been supporting the Calallen Education Foundation State of the District Luncheon, Casino Night Fundraising events as well as fundraising campaigns for the past two years.  This year she decided to take her efforts one step further and commit to a role with the Board of Directors. 

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Amanda has a passion for education and is currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.  Her goal is to become a high school math teacher and coach and have a career in teaching.   While going to college full time, she also works in a support role at Wells Fargo Advisors.

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Amanda is a hardworking, dedicated volunteer that strongly supports her community.  She is highly involved as a member of The United Service Organization better known as the USO. She is also a member of the Corpus Christi - Northwest Rotary Club.   There is no doubt she will continue to make a significant impact with the Calallen Education Foundation as well.

On Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at the Nueces Electric Cooperative (NEC) monthly board meeting, members of the Calallen Education Foundation (CEF) presented the Board of Directors a Certificate of Appreciation for the charitable support of the  Education Foundation.  The grant funds, provided by Nueces Electric Charities, Inc. are made available by the generous donations of the members of NEC through its Operation Round Up program.  The goal of Nueces Electric Charities, Inc. is to aid nonprofit organizations that provide direct educational, health, welfare, and other human services within the service area of Nueces Electric Cooperative, Inc.

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Funding was provided to the Calallen Education Foundation to support the CEF Mini-Grant Program for educators and their students within Calallen ISD.  The Mini-Grant Program is designed to encourage and facilitate innovative and creative educational approaches to student learning throughout the school year with quick access to funding.  Mini-grants must enhance student academic performance and support the objectives, basic beliefs and initiatives of both the campus and the district. Educators can apply monthly from September through May.  A Mini-Grant requires a request form from the educator and a 5-7-minute presentation in front of a panel of judges. 

Robin Ritchey-Roy, Executive Director of the Education Foundation said, “We are so grateful for the support and dedication of NEC to our educators and ultimately their students.  It takes a village to raise a child and Nueces Electric Charities, Inc. understands the value of education in our community.  We appreciate every member of NEC that made this grant possible.”

The Calallen Education Foundation (CEF) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 that supports teachers and students in the classroom through grants for creativity and innovation that inspire learning.  The CEF is governed by a dedicated, fundraising Board of Directors.  We are excited to kick off 2019 with two new talented board members, Thomas Rote and Chelsea Schulze.  

Tom Rote is a financial advisor at Edward Jones Investments with his office in Calallen since 2014. Tom is also Vice President of the Northwest Rotary Club. He graduated from Myers University in Cleveland, Ohio with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. Tom taught EFL to both adults and children in Tokyo, Japan and Taipei City, Taiwan for 10 years before settling in Texas in 2011. He is married to a wife from Vietnam. He enjoys nature, travel, cooking and photography.

Chelsea Schulze is an Advisor Recruiter at Mutual of Omaha - Corpus Christi where she is passionate about helping others succeed! Chelsea is a graduate of Calallen High School and studied at Texas State University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. She enjoys volunteering and serves as the Director of Development for the Drew M. Bingham Foundation as well as serving as a Committeeman for the Area GoTexan Nueces County. She and her family are active members of St. John Lutheran Church where she serves on the Board of Christian Education. Chelsea resides in the Calallen community with her husband, Derek, and their two daughters, Scarlet and Hazel. 

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“The Calallen Education Foundation Board of Directors continues to get stronger every year”, says Mia Taylor, President and one of the original founders of CEF. “We are very passionate about supporting education with interesting and creative ideas for teachers in their classrooms, and we enjoy every bit of hard work that goes into achieving this for the students of Calallen ISD.  2019 is going to be a record year for our team.”

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The Calallen Education Foundation is pleased to announce the newest member of the Board of Directors, Mrs. Lauren Perkins Underwood.  Lauren is owner of Inspiring Social, a Social Media Agency providing Social Media management, advertising, and consulting for local businesses. She has worked in Social Media since 2009 when she developed the Social Media and Reputation Management program for Camden Property Trust. Her work included Social Media training, as well as extensive work in the customer’s online experience. In 2015, Lauren moved to Landry’s Inc where she managed over 30 brands, including McCormick and Schmick’s, Saltgrass Steakhouse, Tower of the Americas, Kemah Boardwalk, and Morton’s Steakhouse. Her work also included Social Media for the hit CNBC television show, Billion Dollar Buyer.

Lauren Perkins Underwood has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Texas A&M University in College Station. She is the proudest member of the Fightin Texas Aggie Class of 2004.

Lauren is a Calallen graduate and is excited to be “back home” with her husband, raising their two small children.  Working with the Calallen Education Foundation allows her to give back to her alma mater and make a difference in education for her children.

The Calallen Education Foundation (CEF) is pleased to announce a new board member joining the team as we kick off the 2018/2019 school year.  Christina Jenkins is Assistant Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer at Kleberg Bank where she has achieved much success in building customer trust and loyalty. She has over 15 years of knowledge and expertise in the banking industry with experience in Private Banking, Retail-Sales Management, & Mortgage Lending. Christina is a graduate of Calallen High School and studied at Texas A&M University-Kingsville where she received a Bachelors in Arts and Sciences along with a Bachelors in Business Finance. Christina resides in the Calallen community with her husband and two sons. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school and watching them play year round little league baseball.  

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The Calallen Education Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that supports innovative Calallen ISD teachers in the classroom by funding programs, projects or initiatives that inspire learning and cannot be funded with available budgeted dollars.  The CEF is governed by a volunteer board of directors.  Christina will serve as a Board Member At-Large.  

On Tuesday, February 6 at the Calallen High School Boys Basketball game Johnnie A. Bickham, Travis Slaydon and State Farm Companies Foundation presented a $3,000 donation to the Calallen Education Foundation. Representing the education foundation was the Board President, Robin Orchard, VP of Programs, Shelby DeReese and VP of Events, Everett Roy. With a passion for serving customers and giving back in our community, State Farm and Johnnie Bickham have been doing great things in Calallen for many years. This year Johnnie donated $1,500 of his own money to the Calallen Education Foundation and State Farm matched it for a total donation of $3,000. The Calallen Education Foundation will use these funds to provide grants to innovative teachers in the Calallen ISD. According to Everett Roy, “We could not meet our goals at the Calallen Education Foundation without great corporate partners like Johnnie Bickham and State Farm. We truly appreciate this donation and ongoing support.”

Steven A. Floyd, Senior Trust Officer - Specialty Assets Officer for American Bank, N.A. recently nominated the Calallen Education Foundation as the beneficiary of American Bank Wears Jeans for a Cause for the month of March. Mr. Floyd has served on the Board of Directors since its founding and as the VP of Finance and Governance with the Calallen Education Foundation Board of Directors for over five years and is very passionate about helping teachers in the classroom.  “I am always looking for ways to raise funds for the Calallen Education Foundation so that we can provide grants to innovative teachers at Calallen ISD.  I am fortunate to work for American Bank, an organization that is committed to a culture of caring and community support.  Jeans for a Cause is a great way to help the Calallen Education Foundation and ultimately our teachers in the classroom. ”  

The American Bank Wears Jeans for a Cause program not only raises awareness and money for various non-profit organizations, it brings employees together as a work family to give back to the communities in which they live and work. American Bank employees are asked to submit names of organizations they are involved with or that are near and dear to them. At least one organization is selected from each market served. Employees make a monetary donation in order to wear jeans on the designated day and the bank matches every dollar given by the employees.  The employee’s donations and the bank’s match provided the Calallen Education Foundation with $1,422 to be used toward innovative educator grants.  

American Bank was founded in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1970. It is the largest locally-owned and independent financial institution in the Coastal Bend area, with assets totaling nearly $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2017. The bank currently has 13 locations in the communities of Austin, Corpus Christi, Goliad, Port Aransas, Rockport and Victoria. It also operates a network of 18 ATMs. Expansion into the Houston and San Antonio markets is planned for 2018.  Services include commercial banking, with Centers of Excellence specializing in commercial real estate, medical, energy, SBA and technology lending; a full range of business and personal deposit accounts and loans; Private Banking for executives and professionals; Treasury Management services; home-related loans; and a full range of electronic banking services. In addition, the bank’s subsidiaries and other partners offer trust and asset management, insurance, and non-bank investment services. Those partners include American Bank Trust and Asset Management, the American Financial Insurance Services affiliate Borden Insurance, and American Investment Services, a division of Herndon Plant Oakley Ltd., member FINRA/SIPC. More information can be found at www.AmericanBank.com.

The Calallen Education Foundation (CEF) is a non-profit organization that supports innovative Calallen ISD teachers in the classroom by funding programs, projects or initiatives that inspire learning through innovative educator grants.  This 2017-2018 year the Calallen Education Foundation is pleased to welcome four new members to its’ governing body, the Calallen Education Foundation Board of Directors:

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Conni Geary will serve as the VP of Development.  She is a Financial Advisor and Vice President-Investment Officer at Wells Fargo Advisors.  With over 20 years of experience, Conni has been fortunate to help families and individuals plan for retirement and the most important goals they have in life.  Conni is also President of the Northwest Rotary Club and is an active member and volunteer at Grace United Methodist Church.  She has served as past President of the Calallen Lady Wildcats Booster Club and the Quail Valley Park, Inc.  Outside of work, Conni keeps busy with her family and hobbies.  She has four daughters and four grandbabies.  She is enthusiastic about the outdoors, enjoys working in her yard, riding horses, and tending to her dogs and other animals she has adopted.

Alan Harwell will serve as a Board Member At-Large.  Alan is a familiar face on South Texas television. After spending 25 years as a sports anchor and reporter for a local ABC affiliate, he joined KRIS6 Sports in June of 2013.  He began his broadcasting career at age 15 as a newscaster for KRYS Radio. He started anchoring sports on television while he was a senior at Carroll High School. Alan has also worked in Victoria, Longview, and Youngstown, Ohio.  He graduated from Texas A&I University in 1983 with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education. On Saturdays during football season he is the "voice" of Javelina Football on radio and is the host of Javelina Showtime.  Alan is an active board member for The Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Goodwill Industries. When he is not covering sports, you can find him on the golf course, supporting his beloved Dallas Cowboys, traveling, and spending time with his family. He has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 21 years. They have two sons and a daughter.

Stacey Kanak will serve as a Board Member At-Large.  Stacey has been a part of the Calallen community since 1997.  She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas A&M, College Station and spent 16 years with a privately held pipeline company eventually in the role of Corporate Compliance Capability Leader.  Four years ago Stacey partnered with a locally owed/operated promotional products company and recently sold that business to have more time for her volunteer and family activities.   Stacey is the Treasurer of the Calallen Lady Wildcats Booster Club, and Secretary of the CHS Academic Booster Club.  She has also served with Fiesta de los Ninos, as the local chapter Secretary for National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) and Secretary of the CMS PTA.  Stacey has been married to her husband, Gary, for 19 years and they have one daughter currently at CHS.

Brandi Clark Priestly will serve as a Board Member At-Large.  Brandi is a stay at home mom with two sons, Luke and Myles, who both attend Calallen. She and her husband, Walter, are local farmers and ranchers.  Walter is a Calallen graduate.   Brandi attended Abilene Christian University and graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.  She is active in East and Magee PTA boards as well as Site Base Committees and DEIC and SHAC.  Brandi also volunteers with Buc Days and as a member of Charity League.

Northwest Business Association (NWBA) hosted the Taste of the Northwest at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Oct. 24.  During the event they presented Calallen Education Foundation with a $1,000 check to be used for educator grants with in the Calallen ISD.  Representing the Calallen Education Foundation were Robin Orchard, President and Shelby DeReese, VP of Programs.  Commissioner Mike Pusley was the Master of Ceremonies and Josh Wilson, President of the NWBA presented the check.  Robin Ritchey-Roy, Executive Director of the Calallen Education Foundation said, “The Taste of the Northwest was a great community event in which proceeds are used to support educational initiatives.  We appreciate this generous donation from the NWBA team!  As a non-profit the Calallen Education Foundation cannot meet its’ goals without strong community donor partnerships.  Many thanks to the NWBA!”

The Calallen Education Foundation visited each of the Calallen ISD campuses on Friday, March 31.  But this was no ordinary visit!  They came with over $76,000 in grant awards for hard-working and very deserving teachers.  Calallen Education Foundation grants were awarded for a variety of things – all focused on creating interesting and inspiring lessons through some type of innovation. 

Ms. Ann Huddleston of the Calallen Middle School was granted funds to purchase Chromebooks for her classroom. “My students and I are so appreciative of this honor.  I am excited about the upcoming school year and how this amazing gift will give my students the opportunity to use technology on a daily basis.”

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The Calallen Education Foundation accepts grant applications from educators within the district and a panel of judges evaluates the applications based on certain criteria.     This year there were 36 grant applications and 25 teachers and their teaching teams benefited from the program.  According to Shelby DeReese, President of the Calallen Education Foundation, “We work hard all year long for this one exciting day we call “Grant Patrol”.  It is so rewarding for us to see the reaction of the teachers when they realize they have won a grant!  We see tears of joy and so much emotion.  It is awesome.”

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As a non-profit organization, none of this would be possible without the support of our community and donor partners.   The Calallen Education Foundation has businesses, families and individuals that donate money to the organization so they are able to provide the grants to the teachers, ultimately benefiting the children of the district.

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To learn more about the Calallen Education Foundation or how you can get involved, go to www.calalleneducationfoundation.org. 

The Calallen Education Foundation held its 6th Annual Casino Night Fundraiser at the Al Amin Shrine Temple on Saturday, March 4.  The event included a delicious steak dinner, live and silent auctions and lots of casino table play.  A great time was enjoyed by all and the proceeds from the event will be used to provide funding to innovative teachers within Calallen ISD striving for excellence in the classroom and superior student learning.  According to Robin Ritchey-Roy, Executive Director of the Calallen Education Foundation, the teachers within the district have great ideas and need a variety of tools to help the kids learn in a creative and interesting way.  “We had over 36 grant applications this year totaling over $128,000.  While we will not be able to fund all the requests, our donors and community partners make that vision a reality for many of our educators.  Casino Night is our largest fundraiser and without our table sponsors, live and silent auction donors, and Casino Night players and winners, we could not meet our goals.  We are very grateful for all the support that made this years’ Casino Night a very successful event.”

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Special thanks to the dinner table and casino table sponsors:

Dinner Table Sponsors

Atlas Tubular LLC

A&R Septic Services, LLC

Branscomb PC

Calallen High School

Calallen Middle School

CC RV LC

Conni Geary, Wells Fargo Advisors & Robin Orchard, ATC Metro Properties

County Commissioner Mike Pusley

Deluxe Welding & Safety

Dr. Artie Almendarez

East Elementary

Emily Longueira, State Farm Insurance

Johnnie Bickham, State Farm Insurance

Kenedy Memorial Foundation

Kevin Beatty

Kleberg Bank Mortgage

Magee Intermediate

Michael & Roseanne Meyer

Miller Environmental Services, Inc.

Naismith/Hanson

NuStar Energy

Peeler Ranch

Pep Promos

Polk Production Technologies, Inc.

South Texas Balfour/RE/MAX Associates

Southern Landscapes & Construction, LLC

Steven & Shelly Floyd

Texas A & M University – Kingsville

Texas Farm Credit

US Ecology

Wood River Elementary

Casino Table Sponsors

American Bank NA

Batek & Robinson LLP

Conni Geary, Wells Fargo Advisors

Edward Jones – Financial Advisor: Warren E. Albrecht

Haulin’ Ice

Northwest Business Association

Robin Orchard, ATC Metro Properties

Rodeway Inn

The Calallen Education Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Kim McCuistion, Interim Dean of the Honors College at Texas A & M University – Kingsville, to the Calallen Education Foundation Board of Directors.  Dr. McCuistion will serve as the Education Foundation’s Grant Writer, developing a diversified network of funding organizations, researching and preparing grant proposals and ultimately securing funds for the Calallen Education Foundation.  Those funds will then be used to support programs, projects and initiatives of inspiring educators within the Calallen ISD.  

Dr. McCuistion comes to the Calallen Education Foundation Board of Directors with a wealth of experience and a passion for education.  She enjoys volunteer service and is excited to make an impact on education within the Calallen ISD.  “I am at a time in my career and personal life where I realize how important it is to volunteer, and to make the time to volunteer; and I really wanted to find a way to keep education as the priority of my volunteer work.  The Calallen Education Foundation is a perfect fit!”  

Kim has taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses as an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal, Rangeland, and Wildlife Sciences.  In that role, she has authored/co-authored and received grant funding for over $2 million, with a large portion of those funds dedicated to supporting Hispanic student education in the field of Animal Science.  She continues to maintain a connection with the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, where her efforts have focused on the practical application of ranch related projects.  Dr. McCuistion also works with sorghum products used in grazing, feedlot, and dairy cattle diets.  She attended Texas A&M University for her B.S., Kansas State University for her M.S., and received her Ph.D. from West Texas A&M University.  Kim and her husband Brian moved to Corpus Christi in 2006 and have three children, Sam (8), William (6), and Clair (4).  Both Sam and William attend Wood River Elementary.