Mary Strauss, the music teacher at Hoover Elementary, has been awarded the First Year Teacher Grant of $1,000 from the Texas Cultural Trust. The grant recognizes highly qualified arts educators and their commitment to providing quality arts instruction.
Strauss, who joined Hoover Elementary as a first-year teacher, graduated from Texas Woman's University in December 2024. Before starting her role in Azle ISD, she student-taught in Lewisville ISD and provided private voice lessons in Denton ISD and Northwest ISD.
Strauss learned about the grant from friends teaching in other school districts. The application was open only to educators at Title I schools. According to the Texas Music Educators Association, Hoover qualifies as a low arts access school due to its Title I status and suburban location.
