Sea Gate Elementary’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) donated 1,000 books to sister school Mike Davis Elementary so that each student could take a book home.
In our own community here in Collier County, we have individuals like Mary Ingram. Mary and her late husband Edgar moved from Columbus, Ohio, to Naples many years ago, and have continued the tradition of philanthropy that the Ingram family, which founded the White Castle restaurant chain, began.
Mary, through the Mary Ingram Fund of the Columbus Foundation, has made a significant investment in Collier County teachers, believing that by helping teachers reach their full potential, students will reach theirs. She understands that teachers have the ability to point students to higher goals, and provide the tools and thinking skills they need to reach higher goals.
She began working with The Education Foundation of Collier County several years ago and has enthusiastically embraced the Foundation’s various programs for teachers. The Golden Apple Teacher Recognition program allows the community to recognize and thank excellent teachers. She has also supported the past Academy of Teachers and now the Building Bridges Educator Corps as well. “Building Bridges” engages principals and teachers from every school to work with each other and the community in collaborative ways. Mary observed “The Education Foundation has for the last 20 years been a strong and growing force in the community. The support they provide gives us hope for the future of our students.”
This programming by The Education Foundation has impacted hundreds of teachers and principals just in the past few years. Imagine how many students are influenced by so many educators! Mary sees this exponential benefit very clearly and understands what it means for a community to invest in the education of others—bringing independence, self-sufficiency and productivity.
One will never regret the investment we make in education. It yields significant return for the economic and social well-being of our community.
My name is Lisvet Luceno and I am a senior at Golden Gate High School and I am in the Take Stock in Children Scholarship and Mentoring program.
When I first met Patsy Carter, who would become my mentor through high school, I realized I had never encountered anyone with a warmer, more comforting smile. I looked forward to meeting with her every week. She was my source of advice, comfort, and more importantly the ears that I needed when all I sought was someone to ramble on to about high school drama. I would have never guessed that an adult, American born, successful woman would have anything in common with a reckless, Cuban teen. She understood the pressure coming from my family to succeed and what it felt like to struggle to get up after a failure. She could appreciate facing adversity and overcoming obstacles. She had lived it as well. Nothing feels better than knowing that you’re not alone.
When I brought up the idea of participating in a summer study-abroad program, she was a little apprehensive, but after seeing the details, agreed that this would be the chance of a lifetime. She was with me through the application process and the pre-departure as well. She wrote a glowing letter of recommendation to the program and helped me look through the application. When I received the news I had been accepted into the program, she embraced me so hard that I thought my lungs would pop!
I, of course, had never been on such a long trip, so Patsy was the most valuable source of information on how to pack. Without her I probably would have left my passport in my checked baggage and my clothes would have made it to Botswana without me.
I was one of 300+ from around the globe working in the program The Experiment in International Living. I chose to travel to Botswana, Africa where I stayed for five weeks immersing myself in and embracing the culture.
My trip confirmed my desire to help people and living amidst such a lifestyle created a permanent mark on my awareness of global issues and the mentality with which I would approach these subjects in the future. In just a short five weeks, the entire course of my life had been altered. My thought processes, emotions, global perception—everything changed.
My goals now include being accepted into college, being admitted into medical school, then working with Doctors Without Borders and returning to Africa. Without the support from my friends, family and importantly Patsy, I don’t know if I would have gotten this opportunity. I now know what I expect from myself and what my goals are, and thanks to Take Stock in Children and their support I know these dreams are possible. Learn more about becoming a mentor.
The Education Foundation’s 2010-11 Grant Chair is home grown. Lenore Brakefield, an attorney with Bond, Schoeneck & King P.A., went to Naples Park Elementary, Pine Ridge Middle and graduated from Barron Collier High School. Her mother is a teacher in Collier County Public Schools and Lenore began her own career teaching elementary school and directing an afterschool program.
Lenore has served on the grant committee for years by reading and scoring all of the online Connect with a Classroom teacher grant requests. When asked if she would chair the committee, she did not hesitate. “I support education because I believe it is the key to success,” says Lenore. “Teachers make a difference in a student’s life! The projects and lessons funded through Connect with a Classroom are the types of opportunities that students remember for the rest of their lives.”
Lenore shared grant requests with her colleagues at Bond, Schoeneck & King. Several of them funded teachers’ grant requests. By sharing her passion for this work, more classrooms and students will benefit from enhanced lessons.
Thank you, Lenore! You have impacted classrooms from one end of the county to the other. You “Got on the Bus” and invited others to join you.
What happens when you mix eager learners of all ages, committed volunteers, an institution of higher education that thrives on continuous learning, and an organization whose role it is to foster the collaboration?
You get a dynamic partnership that creates opportunities for success for all involved.
Hodges University is growing quickly as the educational needs of our community expand. Hodges uses an educational model for adult learning which integrates academics with career.
The Education Foundation’s Take Stock in Children Scholarship and Mentoring program provides deserving high school students who have financial need with a tuition scholarship to a Florida state university upon successful completion of the program and graduation.
“The partnership is a perfect fit for Take Stock students. It allows them to attend school full time and start their career path earlier. They bring workplace experience to the classroom and classroom theory to the workplace,” said Louis Traina, Ed.D., Vice-President, Hodges University Advancement.
This year, Hodges and The Education Foundation will host Take Stock in Children University, which includes two days of College Preparation, Employment and Life Skills, and Leadership. The first day, held October 23, was a rousing success engaging over 75 students. The second date will be held in the Spring. In November, a two-day workshop will allow mentors, students and parents to learn the college and financial aid application process.
In addition to the support for Take Stock, Hodges University, through its Frances Pew Hayes Center for Lifelong Learning, will be partnering with The Education Foundation’s Corps of Retired Educators (CORE) to create an experience through which they literally get on a bus and learn more about Collier County Public Schools.
Thank you Hodges University! Your commitment to getting on the bus is extraordinary!
New Website Live!
Our new website, www.GetOnTheBusCollier.org, is now live and in the first stage of what will be a highly interactive website in support of education in Collier County. As the new site develops, students and families will be able to search for local scholarships, internships, and volunteer opportunities. Educators and schools will be able to post volunteer and classroom needs and search for individuals and organizations in the community to work with their school. Organizations and members of the community can learn more about education and post their interests in getting involved! We encourage everyone to explore the new site, and sign up for the eNewsletters which will provide notification on new website features as they become available. Click here to sign up! www.GetOnTheBusCollier.org
The Education Foundation of Collier County is extremely grateful for our generous sponsors who make the work of the Foundation possible. When it came time to build the new website, three companies volunteered to provide capacity grants to build it. Our thanks go to Arthrex, CenturyLink and Wells Fargo for their generous support and all they do within our community to make this a wonderful place to live.
Arthrex provides orthopedic products and educational services and their corporate philosophy and actions show their commitment to supporting education and children in Collier County. “Arthrex is proud to sponsor the “Get on the Bus” website. We believe in quality education for children and are excited with the opportunities this website will present to the students, teachers, parents and business partners in this community,” stated Connie Byrne, Recruiting Supervisor.
When Erik Zimmer, Vice President and General Manager of CenturyLink heard about the new site, he felt like it was a natural way for CenturyLink to support local education and the community. CenturyLink is a leading provider of high-quality broadband, entertainment and voice services and they are committed to enhancing the lives of the community by keeping us connected through technology. With their generous support of this work, they continue to do just that.
“Wells Fargo has a long history of supporting education… in fact education foundation contributions are one of two types of charitable organization contributions that Wells Fargo will match. We feel that the new website is a critical forum to communicate needs and successes within our community and we are very proud to support it,” said Greg Hunter, Wells Fargo Vice President.
Please continue to check the site regularly to view new features and upcoming event details. The website also provides an easy, secure way to make a donation towards our mission to engage our community and schools in pursuit of a quality education for every child.
Naples, FL - The Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program’s 2010-11 Teachers of Distinction were announced on December 6th in surprise classroom visits to their schools. They learned that they will continue in the Golden Apple selection process and be honored at the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program.
In January and February, all Teachers of Distinction will be observed by all Selection Committee members. After the conclusion of the classroom observations, the Selection Committee will interview all thirty (30) Teachers of Distinction. 
Six (6) of the Teachers of Distinction will then be selected to receive a Golden Apple and give a speech at the 21st Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration presented by Suncoast for Kids Foundation at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts on May 3, 2011. Media partners WINK-TV and Naples Daily News provide ongoing coverage of the program.
Suncoast for Kids Foundation is sponsored entirely by the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, and 100 percent of funds are contributed to organizations and initiatives that assist children in the communities Suncoast Schools FCU serves. “Since its inception, Suncoast for Kids has supported educators who help foster an enriching atmosphere in the classroom and it’s important that we recognize their commitment to excellence through programs such as the Golden Apple awards,” says Greg Pasanen, Suncoast Schools FCU Regional Vice President.
On December 14th, Stock Development will host a private reception at the Club at Olde Cypress to meet and welcome the new Teachers of Distinction. They will also be recognized at the McDonald’s Breakfast in March and receive gifts from the community throughout this process.
In addition, each of the Teachers of Distinction received a $200 cash prize in recognition of the honor, which was provided through the Mary Ingram Fund of the Columbus Foundation.
To view the full list of the 2010-2011 Teachers of Distinction, please click here.
Naples Lakes Country Club hosted 43 students from Golden Gate High School’s AVID program so they were exposed to the many career experiences of employees and residents and enjoyed a professional luncheon together.
Palmetto Ridge High School’s Environmental Club and Fishing Club have adopted a nearby canal to clean up trash and keep the community and waterways clean. Anyone is welcome to get on the bus and help with clean-up days. Contact Justin Lang 377-2400.
The Coconut River Book Club is celebrating the holidays by including a donation of children’s books as part of their December meeting. The Coconut River Book club meets once a month in a member’s home for discussion with fellow book lovers. Each Christmas, we celebrate with a Christmas dinner, discussion about next year’s books and a gift exchange. This year we thought it would be more meaningful to also include the children’s book donation.
