Public Education Foundation Of Marion County Inc

Tools 4 teaching is designed to allow teachers to obtain free teaching materials and other free supplies for their classrooms and students in need. The goal is to allow both teachers and students to have the tools necessary for success. All marion county public school teachers may shop once a month for free supplies. Teachers who have the materials and supplies necessary to teach are more motivated to teach and the quality of their teaching is improved. In annual survey responses, teachers reported that having adequate schools supplies improved student grades, attendance, behavior and self-esteem. During the 2023-2024 year, tools 4 teaching hosted a total of 3,652 teacher shopping trips. More than 500,000 in free supplies were provided to 1,152 teachers across all of the district's schools.

Grants for great ideas is a competitive grant program open to all marion county public schools teachers and principals. The grants provide financial resources to implement creative and innovative curriculum and programs in the areas of stem education, literacy, assisting low-performing students, increasing graduation rates, career and technical education, teacher quality, and supporting students in need, including mental health and wellness initiatives. The grant applications are scored by a group of community volunteers and foundation board members. Grants are scored on the following criteria: 1. Addresses a need or creates an opportunity. 2. Will positively impact student learning. 3. Measurable outcomes are realistic. 4. Follow-up evaluation. 5. Number of low performing and overall students impacted. During the 2023-24 school year, approximately 150,000 in grants for great ideas projects was awarded.

Other programs of the foundation such as the school business partner program, golden apple teacher recognition program, school related employee of the year program, teacher to be scholarship program, senior scholarship program and the silver river science lab & education center all enhance support for marion county public schools. Additional initiatives during the 2023-2024 school year included building student resiliency to support student mental health and wellness, new worlds reading initiative to support literacy efforts, and the thank a teacher program to ultimately support teacher recognition and retention.