By Joshua Koch
Public Communications
Tammy Laubinger was in the middle of an activity with students in the River Pines Library when her door flew open and the sounds of cheers and clapping proceeded.
Walking through the door were River Pines staff, including Principal Rachel Dunn, and representatives of Houston Loves Teachers, the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority and Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s Office.
They were there to surprise Laubringer with a $1,000 grant.
“I'm just overwhelmed, just feeling the love from my school,” Laubinger said with tears of joy welling up in her eyes. “I had no idea what was going on. I had no idea that this was coming. I just can't wait to do something fantastic with the kids with the funds that are given to me.”
The project that Laubringer was wanting to fund involves the purchasing of class sets of novels that are of high interest to boys in order to encourage more boys to read for fun.
It is innovative projects like this that Dunn has seen Laubringer bring to the table year-in and year-out at River Pines Elementary, a Title I School.
“She finds strategic ways to empower and foster that love of reading in those kids by doing innovative things,” Dunn said. “So, getting this grant is huge, because that's what she does. She loves books, reading, and literature. She wants books in the hands of all students, even though they may not have the highest reading levels. But if I can find something that I'm interested in, and I get that love of learning, it's going to make me want to improve upon my reading levels and my reading skills. And then there I go! It just takes off from there. So, so excited for her.”
The surprises weren’t over though.
As the cheers carried on for Laubinger as she held her $1,000 check, the representatives on hand pulled out another check – made out to River Pines Elementary for $4,000 and presented to Dunn to assist with any other needs of the campus.
“Seeing outside agencies, you know, recognizing the hard work that teachers do and wanting to come and support the continuing work that they do is so amazing,” Dunn said. “It's awesome. I'm grateful.”