KLEIN, TEXAS – Mittelstadt Elementary has been awarded a $1,100 Campus/Department Grant from the Klein ISD Education Foundation (KEF) for the “Clear Voices, Confident Readers” initiative, which will provide high-quality headsets with built-in microphones to support third-grade students as they build literacy skills and confidence in their reading.
In a surprise visit from the KEF Celebration Express, Mittelstadt Elementary was celebrated with the grant award alongside Foundation directors, community members, and Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown.
Written by grant author Dylan Jircik and sponsored by Caldwell Companies, the “Clear Voices, Confident Readers” project addresses the diverse needs of third-grade students, including English learners, developing readers, and students who benefit from speech-to-text accommodations. With reliable headsets and microphones, students will be able to use technology-based programs such as Amira and Read 180 more effectively, improving the accuracy of speech input and the quality of individualized feedback they receive.
By reducing background noise and improving sound clarity, the new headsets will help teachers monitor student progress more closely and provide targeted support. In addition, the project will extend beyond intervention time into creative classroom experiences. Students will plan, script, and record podcasts connected to reading, science, and social studies, giving them a platform to share their learning, strengthen oral language skills, and grow as confident communicators.
“Mittelstadt Elementary is spot on in wanting to give their struggling learners the best opportunity to be successful in Reading. These headsets will help bring the written word to life for these students by way of proper hearing accuracy,” Klein Education Foundation Board President Bill Lakin said.”This is not a sit-down-and-listen-only opportunity. This grant will bring about learning opportunities. The headsets are an important start.”
This grant will ensure increased access to the digital tools used in classrooms every day, helping all students—especially those who need extra support—find their voice and experience success in literacy.
This fall, the KEF Celebration Express distributed grants totaling $62,057, enriching educational experiences for our learners. These grants encompass various innovative and engaging projects, from VR labs to STEM builders. The Fall 2025 grant recipients are innovative and serve as a source of inspiration.
We sincerely thank all our sponsors for making these initiatives possible, enhancing the educational experience, and fostering the growth of Klein ISD students. The Klein ISD Education Foundation accepts grant applications biannually and supports creative projects that enrich student learning and drive academic success.