On January 7, 2025, Magnolia ISD held its second annual Teacher Pop-Up Shop at the library of the new Magnolia Parkway Intermediate School—and what a day it was! Teachers and classroom paraprofessionals from across the district came together to pick up much-needed classroom supplies, reconnect with fellow educators, and feel the love and appreciation they truly deserve.
As a proud sponsor, COLTON by AIRIA Development was excited to be part of this special event, helping to make sure teachers had everything they needed to create engaging and inspiring learning spaces for their students.
Helping Teachers Stock Up for Success
The Pop-Up Shop was designed to alleviate the financial burden on teachers, who often spend their own money on classroom supplies. Studies show that teachers, on average, spend around $100 annually on additional classroom materials, and this event helped offset those costs.
This year, 1,200 teachers and classroom paraprofessionals were invited to attend and given a budget to “shop” for essential supplies. They were greeted with warm smiles and reusable shopping bags, ready to be filled with their chosen items. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, filled with laughter and excitement as educators browsed through the selection of supplies.
Rows of tables were stocked with much-needed items, including colored paper, motivational posters, educational games, sanitizing wipes, snacks, treasure box items, clipboards, glue, scissors, flair pens, flexible seating, and much more. These supplies were thoughtfully chosen to help teachers refresh their classrooms for the spring semester. Volunteers were on-site to assist with checkouts.
The success of the Pop-Up Shop was made possible through the generosity of local businesses and community partners, including COLTON by AIRIA Development, the Magnolia Education Foundation and H-E-B Helping Here, along with Tejas Office Products, Indeco, Terracon, and PBK Architects. Together, they helped fill the room with over $31,000 in classroom supplies!
“We are so grateful for the support of our sponsors that continue to make this event possible,” said Superintendent Dr. Jason Bullock. “Like the items in the Pop-Up Shop, our teachers are essential and to be able to provide an event that supports them and the important work they are doing feels amazing.”
“This event is a testament to the strength of our community and the importance of working together to ensure our educators have what they need to thrive in the classroom,” said Becca Henry, President of the Magnolia Education Foundation. “We’re thrilled to be part of something that directly benefits hundreds of classrooms.”
COLTON’s Gift to Teachers
It was an honor to continue our Big and Bright Futures initiative as one of the shopping bag sponsors of this year’s Pop-Up Shop. However, COLTON wanted to do something extra special this year—so as a surprise, we donated 2,000 COLTON-branded #2 pencils for teachers to take with them on their way out.
To our delight, the pencils were a crowd favorite! Educators couldn’t get enough of them, with many stopping to pose for photos while proudly holding their COLTON pencils.
Their smiles and excitement reminded us why supporting educators matters so much—they give so much to their students every day, often with limited resources and without enough recognition. Being able to support them in a meaningful way is something we’re incredibly proud of.
Teachers Share Their Gratitude and Build Connections
The Pop-Up Shop wasn’t just about picking up supplies—it felt like a mini warm and uplifting reunion of the teaching community. They swapped ideas, shared tips for the classroom, and enjoyed some time to chat with their fellow educators. The laughter echoed through the room as teachers filled their bags with everything with supplies.
The feedback from teachers who attended was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed gratitude for the support they received from the district and the community. By the end of the day, teachers left not just with bags full of supplies, but with full hearts—feeling valued, supported, and energized to take on the rest of the school year.
One educator, Ms. Jeter, a pre-K teacher at Williams Elementary, shared, “We’re so lucky to have an amazing district like Magnolia to provide all these fun things for our teachers. We feel very supported and appreciated.”
COLTON’s Commitment to Magnolia ISD Educators
COLTON’s support for Magnolia ISD extends beyond the Pop-Up Shop. Through our Big & Bright Initiatives, we’re always looking for ways to recognize, celebrate, and uplift local educators.
In addition to sponsoring the Pop-Up Shop, COLTON proudly supported Magnolia ISD’s annual Employee Awards Banquet, an event recognizing outstanding teachers and paraprofessionals. Each of the 44 honorees received a custom Igloo lunch tote, a small token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication.
“Community outreach and support of the local school districts is a tenet to the success of a master-planned development,” said Lisa Connell, Marketing Director for AIRIA Development Company, the developer of COLTON. “We’ve made it a focus in our previous developments, ALIANA and ARTAVIA, and we are beginning programs to support the Magnolia ISD local schools that will serve COLTON.”
Through our Big & Bright Futures initiative, COLTON will continue to invest in programs that celebrate, support, and empower educators and students in the Magnolia community.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Magnolia ISD Teachers
To every teacher and paraprofessional who attended the 2025 Magnolia ISD Pop-Up Shop, thank you.
We see the long hours, the passion, and the love you pour into your classrooms. You inspire us every day, and it’s our honor to stand beside you and cheer you on.
Thank you for all you do—your dedication inspires so many, and we’re grateful to support you along the way.
For more updates on COLTON’s community initiatives and partnerships, visit AIRIADEVCO.com.