Education
BY ANDREW CREELMAN
Boerne Education Foundation: directly impacting the classroom Founded in 1997, the Boerne Education Founda- tion has been supporting not just students, but also the teachers that play such an important role in the classroom. “Our sole purpose is to raise money for the classroom,” said Nicole Gallegos, president of the Boerne Education Foundation, or BEF. The BEF is a nonpro t organization led by volun- teers that raises community funds and awareness for schools in Boerne ISD. Gallegos has always been surrounded by educa- tion, with her mother teaching for four decades and having children who went to schools in Boerne ISD. “I grew up as the kid of a teacher,” Gallegos said. “My heart is with education, and it’s just been a really great way to give back.”
Additionally, anyone in the public can donate to the foundation, a task that Gallegos said is a great way for citizens to give back to the community. What residents should know Gallegos said the BEF gave out 700 gift cards worth $75 to teachers across the district to buy important supplies to enhance their classrooms ahead of the current school year. By writing Teacher Innovation Grants, Gallegos said educators can come up with ideas to help complement and enhance their curriculums. They must follow principles of critical thinking, commu- nication, collaboration and creativity. “It’s a really neat way for us to get that impact right in the classroom,” Gallegos said. “Seeing that bene t go right to the kids and the teachers.” From new physics programs and equipment to buying important new books, Gallegos said she’s seen countless bene ts brought to students by these grants from the BEF. During the 2024-25 school year, the BEF also raised over $575,000 to help support and uplift classrooms in schools throughout Boerne ISD.
These are some of the ways the BEF provides funds to the classroom:
Teacher Innovation Grants
Gift cards
Capital disbursement
District employee givebacks
Community events and fundraisers
Funds raised by the BEF go directly toward students and teachers in schools across the Boerne area.
BOERNE EDUCATION FOUNDATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
What’s next This upcoming school year, Gallegos said she wants to raise even more money, upwards of $700,000. “We have a lot of really fun ideas to continue growing the organization in a meaningful way,” Gallegos said. Additionally, Gallegos said the BEF is looking to completely fund an Operation Support Specialist position within Boerne ISD that will work directly with the organization to further their e orts into the future.
Boerne
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235 Johns Road, Boerne https://tinyurl.com/bisd-ef
The BEF is comprised of 25 voting board members and an Executive Director that works directly with Boerne ISD.
PHOTOS COURTESY BOERNE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
BOERNE 1313 S Main St (830) 249-0115
DOMINION 24603 I-10 (210) 310-3200
VINEYARD 1309 N Loop 1604 W (210) 408-8206
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