Education Grant WinnerSandie Claus

In her kindergarten classroom in Comal ISD, Sandie Claus is passionate about building joyful, meaningful early literacy experiences for her students. She knows that while her young learners are eager to explore stories, many arrive at school with limited access to books or consistent read alouds at home. Sandie’s mission is to ensure every child hears rich language, develops a love of stories, and feels confident engaging with books—no matter their background.

That vision came to life through Where Little Ears Meet Big Adventures: Bringing Stories to Life, a Firstmark Foundation funded literacy project that introduced a Toniebox listening center into her classroom. With screen free audio players, story figures, and carefully paired picture books, students listen to fluent storytelling while following along in print. The center is woven into daily literacy rotations, small group instruction, and independent exploration, allowing children to hear stories, retell events, build vocabulary, and make connections at their own pace—all through a format designed for small hands and growing independence.

The impact is both immediate and lasting. Students show increased engagement, stronger listening comprehension, and growing confidence as storytellers and readers. Just as importantly, the Toniebox creates a warm, inviting space where stories become an experience children choose again and again. For Sandie’s students, these “big adventures” are laying the foundation for a lifelong love of reading—one joyful story at a time.