Education Grant WinnerKirissa Kabanek

Kirissa Kabanek serves students in Marion ISD as a Math and Reading Resource educator, working each day with learners who face significant academic and sensory challenges. In her classroom, students are performing at least two grade levels below their peers, many with diagnoses such as ADHD and autism that affect attention, regulation, and information processing. What motivates Kirissa is simple and powerful: a deep belief that her students are capable of far more than others often assume—if they are given the right tools and the right approach.

That belief became the foundation for her Firstmark Foundation funded project, Tools in Their Hands, Knowledge in Their Minds: Touch, See, Learn in SPED. The grant allowed Kirissa to transform her resource classroom with hands on, multi sensory materials that make learning tangible. Students now engage with math through textured number lines and floor based tools that let them move and interact with concepts, while reading instruction is strengthened through phonics tiles, decodable texts with audio, and interactive games. Sensory supports and flexible seating help students self regulate, stay focused, and remain connected to instruction across subjects.

The impact is visible every day. Students show increased confidence, participation, and persistence—choosing interactive learning over passive worksheets and proudly engaging with tools they once lacked. For Kirissa, the project represents more than supplies; it’s a shift in how students experience learning. By honoring how her students learn best, she is helping them close gaps, build independence, and discover that success is within reach.