Yes, it’s that time to start thinking about school again, but when considering education it is nice to know that there is an organization that helps to enhance the efforts of our teachers and students. With an office located on Main Street Downtown Elizabeth City, The Education Foundation is investing in the future of our children. The mission of the Education Foundation is "to facilitate excellence in education in our public schools by adding value in the classroom through special programs, grants, and professional development funding". The primary provider of public education is the Elizabeth City – Pasquotank Public School system. The Foundation’s role is to support the system’s teachers, students and parents in achieving their academic goals. The Foundation seeks to identify areas where focused efforts and resources will have a maximum impact on student achievement. In this way, they can make a meaningful contribution toward achieving the shared goal of excellence in education. “We are very fortunate, and thankful, to have a supportive community of public school education. A large portion of our support comes from local businesses and individual donors. We have also been awarded grant funds from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and other outside resources supporting AVID," says Molly Brite, Executive Director.
Some of the Foundation’s programs include: AVID (Advanced Via Individual Determination) which is a nationally recognized program designed to help students in the academic middle graduate on time and prepare them for four-year college eligibility and success; Martha Ann Ward Swain Innovative Grants through which the Foundation provides $6,000 annually for creative and innovative classroom instruction needs; James R. Gray History & Social Studies Fund established in the memory of James Gray who was a dedicated local educator for 30 years; Francine Jones Sanders Math and Science Fund established in 2006 in memory of Francine Jones Sanders, a local teacher for several years; Professional Development Funding – periodically offering teachers to attend conferences and seminars that have a proven track record in enhancing a teacher’s professional development; and Teacher of the Year which is presented at the Foundation’s annual meeting recognizing each of our 12 schools Teacher of the Year as selected by the school system.
"The Education Foundation and its members provide valuable resources to our students and teachers by supporting and promoting educational opportunities for over 6,000 children that attend public schools in our County. The Foundation works year-round to provide opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to our students and teachers. The Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools are proud to partner with the Education Foundation to provide the children of our community with the skills they need to be successful in the 21st century,” says Linwood Williams, Superintendent of Schools.
Some upcoming events for the Education Foundation include a Corn Hole Tournament at Big Daddy’s Pizza, September 11; Par 3 Golf Tournament at Knobbs Creek , October 2, and their Annual Meeting at Arts of the Albemarle on November 17. To find out more about the Education Foundation, call 252-338-9115 or email: educationfoundation@embarqmail.com or their website at: theducationfoundation.net