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Mission Statement: The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County is dedicated to promoting effective educational practices through public-private partnerships, community collaboration, and private-sector resources. Its vision is high achievement by all students in Palm Beach County's public schools.
Executive Committee:
Chairperson - Michael L. Kohner, Managing Director, Wealth & Tax Advisory Services
Secretary - Barbara Reddig, Wachovia Bank, N.A.
Treasurer - Michael Dixon, Carl Domino, Inc.
Board Members:
Monroe Benaim, M.D., School Board Member, School Board of Palm Beach County
Mel D. Coleman, Ed.D., Program Professor of Educational Leadership, Nova Southeastern University
Darron Davis, Chief of Human Resources, School District of Palm Beach County
George T. Elmore, President & CEO, Hardrives, Inc.
Philip Friedly, First Vice President, Senior Regional Manager, Washington Mutual Bank
Louise Grant, Executive Director, Mary and Robert Pew Public Education Fund
Theo Harris, President, Classroom Teachers Association
Gale Howden, Vice President Community Relations & Marketing, The Palm Beach Post
Bradley Hurlburt, Vice President, WPBT-TV2
Ann Killets, Chief Academic Officer, School District of Palm Beach County
Sergio A. Mariaca, Registered Securities Principal, Linsco Private Ledger
Joseph Moore, Chief Operating Officer, School District of Palm Beach County
Sheri Predmore, Teacher of the Year 2006-2007, School District of Palm Beach County
Viki Regan, Vice President & General Manager, WPBF Channel 25
Scott Roads, Vice President, Portfolio Manager, The Northern Trust Company
Frank A. Rodriguez, CEO and General Counsel, Corporate Creations
Ned Shandloff, Office of the Chairman, BankAtlantic
D. Culver Smith III , Attorney, D. Culver Smith III, P.A.
Nancy Steele, Teacher, School District of Palm Beach County
Sue Ann Walters, Personnel Specialist, School District of Palm Beach County
Mona C. Zapper, Senior Portfolio Manager, Harris Private Bank
Highlights of Foundation Programs: The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, Inc. offers support for Palm Beach County public schools in the following areas:
Literacy Achievement Initiative
Reading and comprehension continues to be a challenge for a growing number of students. Studies show that when children fail to read at an early age all other aspects of learning suffer. The goal of this initiative is to diagnose the need for additional help and provide programs that have a successful track record of improving reading and comprehension. The Foundation provided 15 classroom libraries, reaching 2,500 students and supplied Supplemental Academic Instruction kits to 115 third grade teachers.
Mini-Grants
Through the License for Learning funds, grants are awarded for educational programs to support the development of innovative programs that enhance the educational opportunities for students in Palm Beach County public schools. This year the Foundation awarded $27,000 in grants to 45 programs in Palm Beach County Schools.
Winner Scholarship
The Winner Scholarship Fund is designed to inspire students from the second through fifth grade to continue their education after high school at a college or university, and to show families that higher education can be a real possibility in their children's future. Established in 2002 by Jan Winkler and Hermine Drezner at Jupiter Elementary School. The program was replicated at Greenacres Elementary.
Citi Success Fund
The Citi Success Fund awards grants to educators to support innovative classroom learning projects that encourage “at risk” students to succeed in academic endeavors and stay in school. In addition, Citi Team Mentor Grants are also available. These grants support collaboration between new and veteran teachers. This year the Foundation funded over $25,000 inclassroom learning projects and mentor grants.
Great Teachers
Teacher Development and Training
High quality professional training and development is the cornerstone for success in any organization. Providing leadership and professional development training for the District's teachers enhances their ability to teach and lead effectively and improves the educational opportunities and experiences for students in the Palm Beach County School District. The Foundation is the fiscal agent for Florida Future Educators Association awarding 20 scholarships this year.
Teachers’ Guild Annual Conference
The members of the Palm Beach County Teachers’ Guild are dedicated to promoting excellence in teaching. The purpose is to empower teachers to use best practices to meet student needs, enhance the quality of learning, and increase student achievement.
The Conference, co-sponsored by the Education Foundation, explores best practices in teaching and attracts over 400 teachers from Palm Beach County and presenters from throughout the state of Florida including members of the Florida Department of Education. The Foundation raised over $17,000 to fund this conference reaching over 400 classroom teachers.
Economic Council William Dwyer Awards For Excellence in Education
In recognition of outstanding achievement, support and excellence in teaching, the Education Foundation in partnership with the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, recognizes exemplary teachers for their vested interest in quality public education. Teachers are nominated by their peers in one of five education categories: elementary education, middle school education, high school education, special programs and career education. From the nominees, 25 teachers are selected as finalists and one teacher is selected as the Dwyer Award winner in each of the five categories. Over the past 25 years, 115 teachers have been recognized as a Dwyer Award winner.
Great Leaders
Leadership Institute
In support of the School District’s efforts to improve principal, assistant principal and area superintendent leadership the Foundation is working to create a public/private collaborative to improve educational leadership through timely, relevant professional development. The Leadership Institute supports the professional development needs of current and future leaders.
Programs include: Washington Mutual's New Principals' Institute and the Pew Public Education Fund's Harvard Principals' Center, the Leadership Summit and Principals' Academies. Twenty-four Principals participated in the New Principals' Training and over 170 Prinicpals received training through the Principals' Academies.
Public Information Campaign
In an effort to create a community culture that values public education, the Education Foundation conducts a public information campaign to present topics relevant to the current status and needs of the school district. The Foundation distributed over 750,000 publications on Single School Culture, Budget & Construction and Arts Education throughout the County.
Spirit of Youth Awards
Annually, the Foundation recognizes Philanthropists, Corporations, Foundations and volunteers in Palm Beach County who exhibit outstanding commitment and services to public education. 2005 honorees include: The Gary Carter Foundation, WPEC News 12 and The Anne and Sam Klein Jewish Coalition for Literacy.
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Updated: 9/14/07
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