Jack Benson, a former Douglas Elementary School student and passionate advocate for education, visited the campus today to celebrate his recent donation of $100,000 to the school. The staff and students welcomed Mr. Benson with a special “Thank You” parade.
The celebration continued with a tour of the school and outdoor area that Mr. Benson’s generous donation will directly impact. His contribution is specifically designated to transform the school’s outdoor spaces into a dynamic, hands-on learning environment. This initiative includes installing new playground equipment and creating a covered outdoor learning area, all aimed at enhancing the educational journey of the students at Douglas.
While the building itself isn’t the one Mr. Benson attended as a child, he still enjoyed reflecting on his deep connection to the school. “Douglas holds a special place in my heart,” Benson said. “It shaped my childhood, and I always knew I wanted to give back.”
Among the exciting features of the outdoor learning area is the inclusion of water access, designed to facilitate student exploration of scientific concepts related to water, ecosystems, and environmental science. Additionally, the area will be equipped with microscopes and other scientific tools, empowering students to engage in hands-on experiments and discover the marvels of the natural world firsthand.
“The vision for this outdoor learning space is to extend the classroom outdoors, benefiting children across all elementary grade levels,” Benson said.
This transformative initiative underscores Mr. Benson’s commitment to providing an innovative education that transcends traditional boundaries. By converting the outdoor space into an immersive learning environment, Douglas Elementary School aims to foster curiosity, inspire exploration, and cultivate a lifelong passion for learning among its students.
“I didn’t make this donation for recognition. I did it out of love for my school, hoping to inspire others to contribute to Tyler ISD and the educational institutions that shape our future,” Benson concluded.
For more information, contact Jennifer Hines at Jennifer.Hines@TylerISD.org.