SWEF Quarterly
Southwest Education Foundation Newsletter: Volume 3
March 28, 2024
Welcome to SWEF Quarterly, our quarterly Education Foundation e-newsletter featuring the latest foundation news, events, and information.
The Southwest ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity created to support the faculty, employees, and students of the Southwest Independent School District. The Foundation is governed by a diverse and committed Board of Directors who hail from the greater San Antonio area, many of whom have long-standing and strong ties to the Southwest ISD community. The Foundation is also aided by a non-governing Board of Advisors who are all proven leaders and champions of youth and education.
Our Impact
Every year, SWEF awards grants to teachers who have applied to the grant process. The 2023-2024 application window will close on October 1. Grant winners will be notified in December with a surprise visit from the SWEF Executive Board and members from Senior Staff. The winners will be presented with a check to use for their requested projects. Last year, the foundation awarded over $80,000 to the grant winners. All funds that are raised throughout the year go toward this outstanding program. We are excited to see the creative grant applications that have been submitted for this year. Good Luck to all of our applicants!
Member Spotlight
Ryan Bergmann
Mr. Bergmann is a proud product of Southwest ISD. He was born, raised, employed and educated in San Antonio. Bergmann received his bachelors in business administration from the University of Texas A&M San Antonio where he graduated with honors and was a proud member of the inaugural class to carry the University’s namesake.
After he received his teaching certificate, Mr. Bergmann taught at a listed Title I elementary school. There he realized the need to continue his education in order to benefit his community. Bergmann was able to attend St. Mary’s Law School’s night program while continuing his career as an educator during the day. In three years he graduated in the top ten percent of his law class along with other honors distinguished upon him, all while still maintaining his education career.
Upon receiving his law license, Bergmann worked for a large firm performing complex multi-million-dollar litigation. From there, he joined one of the more prominent family law firms in San Antonio. Mr. Bergmann subsequently opened the Bergmann Law Firm, PLLC
He has served on the Southwest Education Foundation for five years. He currently serves as a Vice President on the Executive Board and a member of the Grant Committee. He is committed to giving back to his community. He is also very active in fundraising to ensure that our teachers have opportunities to enhance the classroom experience for our students.
Sponsor Spotlight
We appreciate all of the support from our amazing sponsors!
Huckabee
Huckabee believes that learning environments play such a significant role in student success, that they are exclusively focused on this one thing. Huckabee delivers thoughtful facility solutions to meet the evolving needs of education. Although simple, their commitment requires a complex effort by a sophisticated network of people.
Every facility they deliver is designed on the belief that a well-crafted learning environment produces more confident, engaged and accomplished students. That has been their commitment from the beginning, and that is the true foundation on which they will never waver.
Garza Bomberger Architects
GBA's scope of services is only limited by the needs of their clients. By working with a trusted group of consultants with whom they have established decades-long relationships, they are able to meet their clients' needs from minor remodeling and repair work to projects exceeding 450,000 square feet in size. They prefer all inclusive turn key contracts that provide for the full scope of services necessary to serve the client well and complete the project to their needs and desires.
First Financial Group of America
At First Financial, their sole purpose is to provide financial security solutions to their customers. They strive to accomplish this goal by making insurance understandable, accessible, and economical through an array of reliable services.
Since 1966, First Financial has successfully provided a variety of services, insurance and retirement plans to public schools and governmental entities. First Financial has an understanding of the needs of both certified and classified personnel and offers quality products specifically designed to accommodate both. Their knowledge of employees’ needs better enables them to provide superior products and services to their valued customers.
Upcoming Events
2024 SWEF Casino Night
To purchase sponsorship packages or tickets, click here.
Alumni Corner
Homegrown: Matthew Martinez
We are proud of our SWISD graduates and want to share their great accomplishments. ‘Homegrown,' is our weekly segment where we highlight successful Southwest ISD alumni who grew up in the SWISD community. We also look at how SWISD ignited their success, goals, and career. We interviewed Matthew Martinez, McNair Math teacher and Multi-classroom Lead.
Martinez shared that he doesn't just serve his students as a teacher, but a support system as well. "Even though I'm their teacher, I will still be in their life. I can be their support system whenever they need it." He also shared how he was influenced by his elementary teacher to pursue his profession. "I knew after having him for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade, I wanted to do the same thing."
Donate
We are grateful for all of the sponsorship and community support. We graciously receive donations all year.
Let's Get Social
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