Faculty and Staff Giving Proposals
Austin Prep is blessed with a Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff who not only live our mission but also advance it through their generosity. For years, 100% of our faculty have contributed to the Austin Prep Fund, enhancing each student’s Austin Prep journey.
As we approach our Day of Giving on St. Augustine’s birthday (November 13), faculty and staff were introduced to a new and creative way to direct their generosity: this year, individual gifts to the Austin Prep Fund will be combined into one collective contribution. To ensure the gift reflects the personality and creativity of our faculty, all staff members were invited to submit proposals for unique ideas to be funded through their collective giving.
After receiving and compiling the submissions, 20 distinctive proposals were presented for a community-wide vote. The proposals can be found below:
Divider Logo
Proposal #1: A New Grand Drape for Meelia Hall & Nutcracker Backdrops
This proposal enhances Austin Prep’s central performance spaces by replacing the grand drape in Meelia Hall and purchasing professional-quality Nutcracker backdrops. Together, these improvements elevate the visual impact of every performance and community gathering. They are important because Meelia Hall serves as the heart of the school—hosting Masses, plays, concerts, assemblies, and celebrations—and the Nutcracker remains one of Austin Prep’s most cherished traditions.
A new grand drape would brighten and modernize the stage, ensuring safety and functionality with updated materials. The Nutcracker backdrops would bring professional polish to productions while reducing long-term rental costs and expanding their use to other school events such as admissions and ceremonies. These upgrades would create lasting assets that enrich the arts, strengthen school spirit, and reflect Austin Prep’s dedication to excellence in both performance and presentation.
Proposal #2: Robotic Dog for Community, Education, and School Spirit
Imagine a robotic dog that embodies everything Austin Prep stands for: innovation, community, and unitas. This isn't just another piece of equipment locked in one classroom—it's a powerful robotic platform with cutting-edge AI technology that serves as both a serious educational tool and a living symbol of our commitment to STEM. It brings joy, builds connections, excites students about the future, and provides hands-on experience with the same advanced robotics technology used in industry and research. It's also a dynamic PR and marketing asset that showcases Austin Prep's innovation to prospective families and the broader community.
Proposal #3: Art and MS Science Enhancements
This proposal upgrades the Art and Middle School Science rooms by replacing outdated desks and relocating better tables between spaces. The improvements would make both classrooms more functional and inviting. It’s important because modern furniture supports hands-on projects and collaborative learning. By optimizing room layouts, teachers can deliver lessons more effectively and foster creativity.
Proposal #4: Geodesic Dome Modular Labs
A kitted out modular lab for incorporation into investigations of our environment and wetlands. Establishing a partnership with the local EPA would be beneficial.
Proposal #5: An Enterprise License for Wayground or EdPuzzle
The Wayground (formerly Quizizz) or EdPuzzle platforms have the benefit in that the contributed giving from teachers can come back in a leveraged way to the day-to-day work teachers have and the learning outcomes (also experience outcomes) of students. Wayground and EdPuzzle provide teachers the ability to provide engaging homework and classwork assignments. They integrate with GC but are difficult to use without a full subscription as key features are blocked. Also, they cap the assignments you can do cumulatively. There are already a number of teachers at AP on the platforms using the free version.
Proposal #6: Era-Specific History Classroom
My proposal is to transform one of our modern classrooms into an era-specific learning classroom/environment enriched with educational antiques that provides students with a deeply immersive, multi-sensory experience that transcends traditional history lessons. Rather than learning about the past through books or digital media alone, students can physically interact with authentic objects, such as antique desks, overhead projectors, vintage globes, pulldown maps, pencil sharpeners and chalkboards, that bring history to life. This tangible connection fosters a stronger emotional and intellectual engagement, helping students develop empathy for those who lived in earlier times while gaining a more nuanced understanding of historical context and daily life.
Additionally, an era-specific classroom creates opportunities for experiential and interdisciplinary learning. Students can study not only history, but also art, design, science, and social customs of the chosen period in a hands-on way. For example, exploring a reconstructed 19th-century classroom might prompt discussions about technological evolution or educational access. Such environments stimulate curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity by inviting students to step into the mindset of the past, transforming history from a static subject into a living narrative. In essence, a well-designed historical classroom serves as both a time capsule and an interactive laboratory for understanding how education, culture, and society have evolved.
Proposal #7: Enhancing the Art Room for a Dynamic Learning Environment
This proposal improves the school’s primary art room with modular furniture and updated instructional technology. The goal is to make the space flexible, ergonomic, and visually inspiring for creative projects. It’s important because the arts are central to Austin Prep’s mission of fostering reflection and innovation. Modern equipment and design would align the space with
current educational best practices.
Proposal #8: Makerspace(s)
My suggestion to spend pooled donations made by the staff to the Annual Fund is to develop additional Makerspaces. I feel it would be beneficial to provide more hands-on equipment to the student body to provide exposure to other fields and help students to think outside of the box when choosing their future career plans.
WHO: All students.
WHAT: Hands-on experiences allow for immediate feedback and may spark interest in future career aspirations. With the right tools necessary to create hands-on learning, anything can happen. I feel it is time to present opportunities to expose AP students to college and beyond. Sparking an interest with Makerspaces may lead to students landing better summer jobs or internships. Business classes that provide hands-on experiences with checking accounts, online banking, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Oftentimes, banks will commit to workshops, some workshops are free, students may become customers of the banks, or our students become bankers.
WHEN: These types of experiences could start as early as middle school.
This proposal will provide a strategic investment in our students' potential and the continued excellence of Austin Prep.
Proposal #9: Classroom Furniture and Collaborative Learning Spaces
This proposal focuses on enhancing classrooms across the Middle and Upper Schools through updated tables, chairs, and modular furniture that promote collaboration, comfort, and flexibility. The goal is to replace individual desks with larger tables and ergonomic seating that allow for movement and group learning. Modern classrooms thrive when students can easily shift between discussion, project work, and independent study.
By investing in new classroom furniture, we can create spaces that mirror our Unitas directive—bringing students and teachers together in a more dynamic, engaging environment. Flexible layouts would encourage creativity, communication, and focus while supporting differentiated learning approaches. Starting with the Integrated Learning spaces and Middle School, and expanding as resources allow, this initiative would tangibly improve both the teaching and learning experience at Austin Prep.
Proposal #10: SUV Purchase
As our school continues to grow with a focus on experiential learning, the purchase or lease of a third-row SUV would be a valuable investment. While our buses effectively serve larger groups, they are often impractical for smaller trips and often have challenging scheduling conflicts due to our athletic teams demanding schedules. In addition, many faculty and staff find the buses intimidating to drive.
Beyond our buses, the school’s pickup truck offers limited seating, which makes coordinating smaller student outings a challenge. A vehicle with third-row seating would transform our transportation capabilities by offering the flexibility and comfort needed to move small groups efficiently—whether for service projects, field trips, or admissions activities.
Most importantly, this vehicle would eliminate the risks and liabilities associated with using teachers’ personal cars for student transportation. A safe, school-owned alternative ensures that every trip meets appropriate standards for safety, accountability, and student care.
Investing in a third-row SUV represents more than the addition of another vehicle—it is a clear demonstration of our commitment to safety, accessibility, and educational excellence. This investment would empower more faculty and staff to confidently transport students, while providing a reliable solution that supports the full range of our programs and activities.
Proposal #11: School Vehicle Wrap
I would like to propose a project that highlights our mission, strengthens school spirit, and enhances Austin Prep’s visibility within the community.
My proposal is to design and install a professional vehicle wrap on one of our school vans or buses. The design would feature our mission statement - “To inspire hearts to unite, minds to inquire, and hands to serve” - along with representations of our major Varsity and Junior Varsity sports. The rear panel could incorporate messaging such as “I’m Accepted!” to support admissions outreach and create opportunities for student photo moments when new families join the Austin Prep community.
This initiative would allow us to represent the vitality of our programs and our Augustinian values wherever we travel… whether to athletic events, performances, or service opportunities - while serving as a distinctive and eye-catching expression of who we are as a school.
Proposal #12: Concentration Corners
For the last 3 decades, I have believed that the landings on the far end of the stairways on the floors of McLaughlin Hall are under-utilized. They are primary egresses but they could also be so much more. Each of these landings could be thematically decorated, utilized to highlight student work and include artifacts that denote a specific subject. A seating area would provide added meeting/study space for small groups (teachers and students). One stair landing could be converted at a time with the first being a trial basis.
Proposal #13: Time Capsule Project
The Time Capsule Project is a proposed tradition at Austin Prep where each graduating class has a dedicated capsule for students to write letters to their future selves, reflecting on the school’s core values—Unitas, Veritas, and Caritas—along with personal hopes and thoughts. Letters are written in 6th grade (or upon joining AP) and opened during Senior Week to reflect on personal growth. The project involves a one-time cost for permanent boxes and a display case, with small annual costs for updating class name plates. Faculty may also contribute by writing letters to seniors, enhancing the sense of community and reflection.
Proposal #14: Outdoor Learning Spaces
This proposal envisions expanding outdoor learning, reflection, and community spaces across campus—beginning with equipment, seating, and enhancements to the Bouchard Pavilion. Inspired by professional development experiences and examples from other schools, the goal is to create a structured, comfortable, and flexible outdoor classroom environment. These improvements would allow teachers to hold class sessions in nature, where students can think, discuss, and reflect in a fresh, inspiring setting.
Enhancements would include weather-resistant seating, modular furniture, and portable teaching tools such as storage units and projectors. The Bouchard Pavilion could serve as a central outdoor learning hub, equipped with Wi-Fi access, sound capability, and adaptable furniture for prayer, discussion, or presentations. This initiative is important because it strengthens the connection between academic learning, spiritual reflection, and community life—transforming our outdoor spaces into true extensions of the classroom that invite collaboration, mindfulness, and a deeper sense of belonging.
Proposal #15: Outdoor Manger
Each year, Austin Prep’s Christmas traditions grow richer and more meaningful. What began as a simple tree lighting has blossomed into a beloved community celebration, highlighted by the joyful visit from Santa and the gathering of families, students, and alumni on campus. As our traditions evolve, it is essential that they continue to reflect the heart of who we are as a Catholic school, one rooted in faith, reflection, and the celebration of Christ’s birth.
With that spirit in mind, investing in an upgraded and beautiful outdoor manger to be placed beneath the Christmas tree is a natural and important next step. The manger, the humblest yet most powerful symbol of the Nativity, reminds all who visit campus of the true meaning of Christmas: God’s love made visible through the birth of His Son. Positioned at the center of our Christmas festivities, the outdoor manger will serve as both a visual and spiritual focal point, encouraging reverence and reflection amid the joy of the season.
Beyond its religious significance, the manger will beautifully complement the growing tradition of our annual tree lighting and Santa’s visit, blending festivity with faith. It will enhance the atmosphere of our campus during Advent, offering a moment of peace and prayer for all who pass by. In doing so, Austin Prep not only celebrates Christmas with warmth and community but also ensures that Christ remains at the heart of our celebration.
Proposal #16: AP Bricks
For a collective Gift we could all purchase an engraved brick for $150.00 (kind of like a fundraiser). We could have the brick engraved with an "Austin Centric" word, phrase or simple the name of the faculty/staff, department or something creative. Due to all the construction, AP administrators could identify a location on campus where the bricks could become a footprint in the AP community and a personal celebration of each individual's commitment to the mission of the school.
Proposal #17: Outdoor Community Spaces
This proposal unites several ideas that enhance outdoor spaces on campus—transforming underused areas into beautiful, functional places for learning, reflection, and gathering. It envisions a combination of a Reflection Garden, a Library Balcony Garden, and a Courtyard of Connection to support student wellness, outdoor education, and spiritual growth.
By incorporating benches, native plants, pathways, and creative student-made art, these spaces would invite reflection and collaboration while beautifying the campus. The Library Balcony could serve as a lush garden and hands-on science or art project site, while the Courtyard would offer a peaceful prayer and meeting area, connecting faith and fellowship with the natural world. These projects reflect Austin Prep’s Augustinian values of veritas, unitas, and caritas, providing areas where students and faculty can learn, pray, and build community in harmony with creation.
Proposal #18: Executive Functioning Scholarship
A scholarship for Executive Functioning for a student this year or next year (would need to come up with specific parameters for how to award the scholarship).
Who: Student in need to Executive Functioning
What: Executive Functioning Scholarship
Where: Integrated Learning Center
When: This year or next year
Why: The new Executive Functioning program has been an awesome benefit and program for students so far. However, it can be costly for some families so I would love it if we could create a faculty-raised scholarship for a well-deserving student(s) who need some extra help.
Proposal #19: Memorial for Stephen Williams
My proposal for the staff gift is a memorial plaque for Stephen Williams, to be placed near or in the choir room and/or the Math department. Depending on the amount raised, it can also be accompanied by room improvements (a tiered gift) or fund something needed for the music or math department. I think something to honor his memory and contributions to the school would be nice!
Proposal #20: Funding for St. Augustine Lecture or School-Wide Workshop
I propose inviting Dr. Arthur C. Brooks—a renowned Harvard professor, bestselling author, and expert on the science of happiness—to speak at Austin Prep. Dr. Brooks uniquely blends cutting-edge research with ancient wisdom and faith, making his message deeply relevant to our community. His teachings on truth (Veritas), unity (Unitas), and love (Caritas) align closely with our Augustinian values, offering students, faculty, and families practical tools for building meaningful, purpose-driven lives rooted in faith, love, and community.