The McAllen Education Foundation supports teachers and helps them make exciting, innovative ideas for the classroom come true. On October 7, 2026, the Foundation announced it was funding 57 teaching grants for more than $114,000.
The teachers, representing all 31 campuses in McAllen ISD, officially received their grants at the UTRGV McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy. These grants cover different subject areas like math, science, music, English-Language Arts and technology.
“We are especially proud that every McAllen ISD campus is represented among this year’s grant recipients because it demonstrates the widespread impact of our partnership across the district,” McAllen ISD School Board President Lucio Regalado said. “We recognize and appreciate that supporting public education is a shared responsibility. Our schools are the foundation of community—past and future, and when our community supports our educators, we all benefit.”
The McAllen Education Foundation was formed in 1996. In its history, the foundation has funded 549 grants worth nearly $830,000 and benefited thousands of McAllen ISD students.
"It started as a group of individuals in the community that wanted to provide support for teachers ... so they could bring their visions to life in the classroom and bring innovative lessons to students," Heather Pardo, Executive Director for the MEF, said. "McAllen Education Foundation is so thankful for the partnership with the superintendent leadership team and all of the principals and teachers across the district. We know that we want to bring the community into the classroom and when we invest in our teachers and our students, it helps our future."
The Foundation provides support to help foster excellence and enhance educational opportunities for McAllen ISD students by funding Innovative teaching grants. The Foundation is a philanthropic, tax-exempt, public corporation that operates independently of McAllen ISD and is governed by a board made up of business and civic leaders from the community. For information on sponsorship opportunities, visit the Foundation website at https://mcallenef.org/.
About McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD is a 2026 winner of the state’s Postsecondary Readiness Distinction. The district is home to 31 campuses and approximately 19,500 students. To learn more about McAllen ISD’s schools and programs, contact Student Outreach at 956-687-MISD (6473).
PHOTO CAPTIONS
At top, teachers, principals, school district leaders and members of the McAllen Education Foundation stand at the UTRGV McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy on the day the MEF awarded 57 teaching grants for $114,000. The grants will impact all 31 McAllen ISD campuses. Above, Heather Pardo, Executive DIrector for the MEF, speaks to the audience during the MEF Grants Celebration on Oct. 7, 2026.