GALVESTON, Texas – October 14, 2021 – Galveston ISD recently received a $1.7 million grant from the
Moody Foundation aimed at improving resources for dyslexia education throughout Galveston. The
five-year initiative supports not only GISD students, but students anywhere on the island attending charter
and private schools as well.
“The opportunity to work with the Moody Foundation to help solve the challenges of dyslexia education
across Galveston is one that is both exciting and extremely fulfilling,” says GISD Lead Dyslexia Specialist
Sondra Harrington. “We are fortunate to have an organization in our community that values education.
The foresight of Jessica Edwards, GISD director of special education, is commendable as well, as she
projected the need for such resources.”
The grant not only allowed the district to bring in Ms. Harrington as the lead specialist and community
dyslexia initiative grant coordinator, it will also help fund professional development that aims to train close
to 100 teachers in year one and identify 16 teachers as campus specialists to equip with language
therapist certifications. A specialized software program will also be implemented for classroom use to
better support students with dyslexia.
“Educators have an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students every day,”
proclaims Moody Foundation Director of Education Angela Blair. “Therefore, professional development
specifically for dyslexia will provide teachers with the most effective teaching strategies and critical skills
from seasoned professionals. These approaches will support all students learning to read, even those
students without dyslexia.”
Beyond GISD, the grant is intended to help provide community awareness of dyslexia and events in
which families can participate to better encourage literacy growth and quality education for all children.
Galveston ISD is a public school district in Texas, established in 1884, that serves nearly 7,000 students.
Its 12 Schools of Choice campuses consist of traditional and theme based schools, charter schools,
STEM programs, magnet schools, and a mega-magnet high school. The district’s mission is to Educate,
Engage and Empower EACH student for a life of Excellence. To learn more, visit www.gisd.org.
