Orchard Foundation

In the 2023-2024 academic year, the orchard foundation continued to administer school readiness institutes for central louisiana pre-k, head start and childcare providers that participate in the state of louisiana's early childhood community networks. The networks seek to expand access to high quality, publicly funded early childhood education programs. In the school year 2023-2024, orchard administered 11 trainings reaching 134 educators and providers. To expand coaching capacity in the region, orchard provides opportunities for individuals to become certified as making the most of classroom interactions (mmci) / class group coaching (cgc) instructors through teachstone. Tof's current mmci instructors have continued to provide mmci workshops throughout the region. Orchard has trained a total of 20 pre-k instructors for the region, and 7 in infant/toddler.the orchard foundation created and led two family early literacy programs, read to soar and math to build on. In 2024, orchard led 15 read to soar workshops, reaching 187 children from 143 families. 4,200 books were distributed to participants. Orchard also led 12 math to build on workshops in 2024, reaching 137 children from 102 families. 2,935 books were distributed to participants.the orchard foundation created and delivered two enhanced coaching programs for early learning center directors: enhanced instructional leadership institute for early learning leaders (e-ili) and enhanced business leadership institute for early learning leaders (e-bli). Both institutes are designed for early learning center leaders in any setting. Family childcare, type i, ii, and iii centers, and head start and early head start directors who have completed our coaching programs, business leadership institute and instructional leadership institute, are eligible to participate. Each institute runs for 10 months, with sessions beginning in august and ending in may. Each module begins with a read and reflect assignment, followed by a whole-group content session. These sessions are followed by one-on-one coaching on the content and assignments. The maximum capacity for the e-ili and e-bli cohorts is 15. In the 2023-2024 academic year, 8 early learning center directors completed e-ili, and 7 early learning center directors completed e-bli. The orchard foundation hosted a cohort of 29 childcare directors in 2023-2024 to participate in a science of reading training, growing reading brains. The program ran from august to may and provided educators and leaders with nearly 40 hours of practical professional development, which was immediately applicable to the early childhood classroom.

In 2024, the orchard foundation continued its work to support the rapides foundation's (its supported organization's) effective schools initiative by continuing professional and leadership development programs. During 2023-2024, the orchard foundation coordinated kagan instructional institutes for 43 area educators. The institutes featured hands-on curriculum and materials that are engaging, rigorous and motivating for students and that can immediately be brought back into the classroom and implemented in a cooperative learning model. Orchard also held trainings for new and aspiring leaders in area schools. The program is designed for teachers who are dedicated to improving the best practices in instruction and leadership. 77 participants were trained in the 5 dimensions of teaching and learning framework by the university of washington center for educational leadership. Throughout the year they had the opportunity to collaborate and observe others to develop the expertise needed to recognize high quality instruction. The leading for better instruction program allows assistant principals and principals to develop their leadership skills in guiding and supporting teachers' professional learning. 55 assistant principals and principals were also trained in the 5 dimensions of teaching and learning and 4 dimensions of instructional leadership. A district leaders/superintendents network was established to provide sessions for superintendents and key central office leaders, focused on the role of central office leadership in developing and supporting principal instructional leadership. 62 leaders participated.