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Golden Apples: Foundation, sponsors to fund Teacher Appreciation Week in lieu of yearly awards

Rachel Fradette, Naples Daily News

Golden Apple day in Collier County, with all of its surprises and tearful excitement, is transforming this year to celebrate educators in a new way amid the pandemic.

In lieu of the annual awards and dinner, Champions For Learning announced that 58 Collier County schools will receive funds to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week how they see fit.

Every school through Golden Apple sponsors will receive $2,000 to salute teachers May 3 to May 7 with a special emphasis on May 4 when community appreciation is encouraged.

The county’s education foundation said the pandemic led to a different opportunity and they ran with it.

“We’ve always done well when we’ve listened,” Susan McManus, president of Champions For Learning, said. “I think that was what came across this year.”

McManus said the foundation could not just proceed with their typical program this year; they needed to hear from educators like in every other year.

Foundation staff spoke to Collier school leaders about what teachers were feeling about the unprecedented year and how they might celebrate innovation and hard work in classrooms, McManus said.

“The principals and the selection committee taking the time to be on the phone and talk through all this, you know, it’s inspired us. It’s encouraged us,” McManus said. “I’m so glad we did it. I can’t even imagine right now trying to go through the motions of that, that same process or celebration.”

From coordination with their parent-teacher organizations to creative themes, schools are in the process of developing how their communities will salute their educators, Lisa Church, chief community impact officer for the foundation, said.

“I was just so impressed so far with what I’m seeing around how the principals are engaging so many people in the celebration plan,” Church said.

Church said she hopes to see Collier as a community reflect on what it has meant to have schools open this year and think about ways to say thanks you to teachers and school staff.

Last year, Collier schools hosted the foundation’s annual surprises mere weeks before the shutdown in Florida.

The results of school closings led to the cancellation of the foundation’s annual dinner, which celebrates awardees and other educators.

The coronavirus pandemic also prevented community volunteers from being able to visit classrooms as part of the selection process for the awards, McManus said.

“We did come to that understanding with them that we would make a commitment to helping the community really understand what it’s been like this year, maybe not by picking just teachers of distinction individually but by our organization really committing to putting a whole different process in place,” McManus said.

Lee County’s annual celebration sponsored by The Foundation for Lee County Schools moved forward with safety precautions and measures in place. Six Lee County teachers took home their Golden Apples last month.

In addition to the Teacher Appreciation Week celebration, Collier’s Champions For Learning is honoring educators through a TV special on April 25 that will focus on teaching and learning through the year.

This year’s program is dedicated to Lavern ‘Lal’ Gaynor, a prominent Naples philanthropist who often involved herself with the organization. She died this week at age 97.

Rachel Fradette is an education reporter for the Naples Daily News. Follow her on Twitter: @Rachel_Fradette, email her at rfradette@gannett.com.

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Introduction to Innovation

For years Champions For Learning has been involved in preparing students for their future learning and career goals, utilizing the lab space within our office building to not only inspire students’ ambitions but to help them reach their goals.

Longtime Champion, Frank Daveler, was always grateful to facilitate students’ ambitions as they pursued their own success through opportunities otherwise inaccessible. Because of the $500,000 contribution from Frank and his late wife, Ellen, Champions For Learning was able to launch the Frank and Ellen Daveler Center for Innovation in January, allowing the lab space to be reimagined, moving the new Center into the future.

Frank & Ellen Innovation Center Classroom | Champions for Learning   Frank & Ellen Innovation Center Classroom | Champions for Learning   Frank & Ellen Innovation Center Classroom with People | Champions for Learning

Scheduled for completion in June 2021, the new Center will expand the capacity and opportunities for Champions For Learning to support collaboration and innovation with teachers, students, parents, volunteers and community partners. As you look at the renderings of the reimagined Center, you will see that the strongest theme is collaboration. The spaces are meant to be rearranged to become functional lab spaces where students, teachers, and community partners can come together to discuss and innovate.

We believe the Davelers would have enjoyed seeing students, teachers and community members engaged in this way in this vibrant new space, creating opportunities for our community to connect with students as they prepare for their futures and to inspire solutions to complex challenges.

We are excited about the opportunity to engage teachers, students, parents and the community through the Center for Innovation and know that you are excited to move into the future with us!

Champions For Learning is in need of funding for furniture and materials for student modular workstations and conference rooms for the Frank & Ellen Daveler Center For Innovation. Contributions to the Innovation Center will be matched dollar for dollar.

Join in. Your gift to Champions For Learning inspires our community to continue to work together. No gift is too small–your gift can be combined with others to support life-changing learning experiences.

Should you like to make a donation, please visit us here online. Your gift begins making an impact immediately.

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Champions For Learning Class of 2021 – Update

Despite starting their senior year in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, the Champions For Learning Class of 2021 has been resilient and adapted to changing circumstances.  We were thrilled to see our students come into our office one-by-one and socially distanced for their individual senior photos.

We will continue to provide updates on their progress.  To date, the ninety (90) seniors have submitted more than 250 applications for college, university, or technical programs with already more

than 120 acceptances.   Students are diligently applying for scholarship sources to ensure the best opportunities for them to gain financial support to earn their education as close to debt-free as possible.

As we all know, life continues to be challenging, and we are so proud of our seniors and grateful for the support of our staff and volunteers in continuing to help students work through these challenges.

 

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Champions For Learning Announces 2020-2021 Glass Slipper Recipients

Champions For Learning is proud to announce the 2020-2021 Glass Slipper recipients. The honorees are Gina Lostracco, Martha Rozman, Denise Murphy.

Each year, the Glass Slipper event is held to honor female leaders for their dedication and service to the children of Collier County. This event and recognition program benefit young ladies who are graduates of Champions For Learning student programs and helps to generate funds for the third and fourth year of their post-secondary education.

Join us in honoring the Glass Slipper recipients at a cocktail reception, which will be held on December 9, 2020 from 6-8pm at the Club at Olde Cypress There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and a virtual silent auction perfect for your holiday shopping. Tickets for the event are $50.

For tickets please visit ChampionsForLearning.org/news-events/glass-slipper or call (239) 643-4755

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Champions For Learning Awards more than $79,705 in Grants to Collier County Teachers

Today, Collier County teachers were surprised by their principals and school staff with funding for their Classroom Grants through Champions For Learning! This is a unique way for the community to make a difference for so many students through the support of their teachers’ ideas and projects.  In this challenging year, this support will mean so much more to our teachers and students.

Champions For Learning awarded 141 grant checks that totaled $79,705 to 41 schools. The funds help teachers to implement creative and innovative learning experiences for students in the classroom and virtually.

These classroom grants were requested by Collier County teachers through the online grant portal on Champions For Learning’s website. There are still opportunities to fund teachers’ great idea this year. Visit www.ChampionsForLearning.org/CWACgrants to support local classrooms today!

Thanks to a charitable gift from Suncoast Credit Union, which supports the technology and capacity for the classroom grant portal, 100% of community contribution goes into supporting teacher grants.

“Suncoast Credit Union is proud to work with Champions For Learning to support teachers during this time and contribute to a community that is engaged in support of student success,” said Cindy Helton, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation Executive Director.

This year, in addition to Classroom Grants, schools received basic supplies through the “10 for the Team” project.  For every $10 received, a student received a backpack containing the needed supplies to start school. With more than $14,000 raised, 2,340 students across twelve elementary schools benefitted from this community-led project.

The following provided significant contributions to fund specific teacher grants:  Suncoast Credit Union, Florida’s Support Education License Plate Fund, Lucie Jenny MacCarthy Music Fund of the Community Foundation of Collier County, Ray Harman in memory of Karen Harman, Carol & Charles Pedretti, Perna-Rose Foundation for Hope, Women In Naples Giving Support (W.I.N.G.S.)

Help provide life-changing learning experiences to students! You can also help fund Classroom Grants through the License to Learn Fund (Florida Education Tag). Collier County community members can buy the new version of the tag now, $20 of the annual $25 fee is donated to Champions For Learning and 100% of the funds support classroom grants.

To view a full list of funded grants click here!

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Happy World Teacher’s Day!

Happy World Teachers’ Day!

The 30th Annual Golden Apple Celebration of Teachers looked different this past April due to COVID-19. However, we still wanted our teachers to have the great experience of sharing their inspiring messages and being introduced by
one of their students!
To view the full Golden Apple TV Show Click Here       

Sarah Bratcher
Lake Park Elementary
Raising Leaders Through Songs and Public Speaking

 

Eileen Fuentes
Sabal Palm Elementary
Metacognition + Social Emotional Learning = Confident, Balanced Scholars
Elizabeth Garcia
Manatee Middle
A Student-Centered Classroom

 

 

 

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Investing in Education is an Investment in the Future of Our Community

Because of you, our programs have given students, educators, and community members an opportunity to work together to face challenges and celebrate triumphs. We continue this work to provide life-changing learning
experiences for every student and want to support them in learning the life skill of adapting while staying firmly focused on their future. During this challenging time, we continue to listen, adapt, and respond to the
needs of our educators and students. The Classroom Grant online portal allows teachers to request classroom grants that will come directly from the community to create innovative learning experiences for their students. Thanks to Suncoast Credit Union, which supports the technology and capacity for the grant portal, 100% of community contributions go toward supporting teacher grants. You can fund a specific request from a teacher by visiting https://www.finditfunditflorida.com/collier/.

Champions For Learning is working with our elementary school principals and teachers to provide our students with the tools they need to resume their schooling. With more than 60% of students returning to Collier County Public Schools for instruction on campus, our students will have the opportunity to learn with district-provided laptops and devices appropriate to their grade levels and will be provided with face masks and hand sanitizer. However, the guidelines outlining social distancing will require that each student uses their own individual school supplies. They will not be able to share their crayons or scissors and teachers will need to help
students keep their own supplies organized.

Every $10 donation will provide a student with a backpack full of items needed to start school. The average request from principals is 300 backpacks with supplies. Please contact us if you are interested in sponsoring supplies for a specific school.

Through enhanced programming, foundational skill development, and engagement of over 450 volunteers supporting students, our students are equipped and prepared for their future learning and career goals.

The strong outcomes of the Class of 2020 demonstrate this readiness. Even in the face of COVID-19, the Class of 2020 surpassed last year’s outcomes and 100% have stayed on track toward their post-secondary
aspirations.

Beyond the students directly served, over 12,000 students gained access to financial and college readiness resources, through partnerships and community outreach. This year challenged us and provided us many opportunities to adapt and learn new things. The adaptations this year served our students and program well and many will continue to be expanded upon in the year to come.

It is because of your advocacy and support that Champions For Learning is able to adapt and leverage resources to help ensure our students and teachers can continue to work toward their vision for the future, even
when the way of achieving those goals may be changing. Help us continue to support students and educators in Collier County.

Your gift to Champions For Learning empowers our community members, teachers, and staff to continue to interact with students in ways that dynamically enrich all their lives. No gift is too small; your gift can be combined with others to support life-changing learning experiences for students across our community.

Click here to make a donation! 

 

 

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Class of 2020

The Champions For Learning Class of 2020 has continued to reach their goals despite COVID-19. In the face of adversity, not a single senior has fallen off track and all have continued with their post-secondary education plans.

The class of 2020 contributed over 12,610 volunteer service hours in our community. Students continued to help the community during COVID-19 virtually; students in the senior class had the opportunity to create videos messages for their teachers, record themselves reading books for younger students, and writing letters to local nursing home residents.

The class of 2020 received more than 289 college acceptances along with more than $3,885,082 in scholarship offers not including federal and state aid or Take Stock in Children scholarships.

Students applied to various scholarships and received more than 108 scholarships altogether. Some of the scholarships students received include the Naples Daily News Journalism Scholarship, Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Scholarship, Francis Paulson Memorial Scholarship, and the Medical Alliance Scholarship.

Through Champions For Learning students in the Class of 2020 received awards that exhibited the students’ accomplishments ranging from community service to perfect attendance.

Eighteen students received the Never Give Up Award – Whether completing a multitude of college applications, and scholarship applications, or always actively participating in lab sessions, these students took every opportunity to make it count!

Twelve students received the Outstanding Community Service Award – For exceeding the minimum and individually providing more than 300 hours of time to give back to Collier County. Students like Mayte H, Brissa R, Emisael V, and Gabriela M, all surpassed more than 560 hours of community service!

Ten students received the Above and Beyond Award – Regardless of the request, these students were regular faces around the office or at events, volunteering many hours back to Champions For Learning.

Twenty-seven students received the “Perfect” Attendance Award – Having missed one or fewer weekly lab sessions in their Junior and Senior year, combined.

The Class of 2020 has gone above and beyond and despite challenges, they have become Champions for our community who have uplifted us by continuing to reach their goals! To view our senior special in celebration of the Class of 2020 visit: https://championsforlearning.org/what-we-do/for-students-families/

 

 

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Meet Alaysha

Both of my parents moved to Naples from the Bahamas and are school bus drivers. They’ve always instilled in my siblings and me the value of an education. I’ve always admired my teachers; their brightly decorated classrooms made me excited to learn new things that I would share with my brother.

Five years ago, my school counselor shared an opportunity that changed my life. My parents and I completed my application, and I was selected into Champions For Learning’s program. I was matched with my mentor Tammi, a retired teacher, and given the promise of a two-year college scholarship upon high school graduation. At first, I was nervous about meeting with my mentor, but those fears quickly diminished. As we learned more about each other, now I consider Tammi one of my closest friends.

Because of Champions For Learning and my mentor I have a clear path for my future. The weekly programming has guided me through the college and scholarship applications, helped us complete financial aid applications, and provided campus tours. Champions For Learning has been there every step of the way. Even now, with schools closed and “social distancing”, my mentor supports me through phone calls, and Champions For Learning is providing virtual sessions, webinars, and resources to ensure I stay on track during this critical time.

Today, I have served my community with more than 200 service hours, earned a 4.0+ GPA, been accepted to Florida Gulf Coast University and The University of South Florida and completed 55 scholarship applications to-date. When I graduate from high school this spring, I will also be graduating with my two-year degree from Florida SouthWestern State College and the first in my family to earn a degree. Through Champions For Learning, my community has shown they believe in me, and my teachers, and want us all to succeed.
When I close my eyes, I can already see my classroom, I know where each board will be and what will be on them, how my students’ desks will be arranged, and how I will use what I’ve learned from my own teachers. I want every student to have the same opportunities that I have.


I’m proud to live in a community that is united around supporting educators and I want to become a teacher so that I can impact students and give back to my community.

~Alaysha G., senior at Golden Gate High School, dual enrolled at Florida Southwestern State College

 

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Becoming A Champion For My Commmunity : Billensky

Hi, My name is Billensky and I’m a senior at Golden Gate High School. I live with my mother, my sister, and my grandmother. I have a job and work to help with household expenses, and I try to save money for the future when I can. Five years ago, my school counselor shared an opportunity with me that changed my life. I completed my application, and after a selection process, was inducted into Champions For Learning. I was matched with a mentor and was given the promise of a two-year college scholarship when I graduated high school.
When I was standing on stage being inducted, I looked out into the audience and saw a room full of people cheering me and my classmates on and realized I was a part of something far bigger than I could ever imagine. That evening I met my mentor for the first time as well as the donor that had funded my scholarship. My mother always encouraged me to work hard in school, which I did, but now I had a mentor and donor that I was determined not to let down.
Meeting regularly with the staff at Champions For Learning and my mentor has helped me stay on track and develop a plan for my future. Thanks to Champions For Learning, I’ve had the opportunity to visit several of the universities in Florida. That really helped me decide on which colleges to apply to. Without Champions For Learning, I wouldn’t have known where to start. Going to the weekly college and career preparation labs have also helped me learn how to network and how to prepare a resume. They also had volunteers who sat with me and my mom to help us complete my financial aid applications.
Champions For Learning has been there every step of the way. Today I have over a 4.0 GPA, I’ve completed my college and financial aid applications, and I’ve done over 100 hours of community service. I’m proud to say that I will be the first in my family to go to college! I have already received three college acceptances and $90,000 in scholarship offers – on top of the scholarship I earn through Champions For Learning. I’m so grateful to my teachers, my mentor, the Champions For Learning staff, and all the volunteers that have helped me along the way. Though I haven’t decided what college to attend yet, I’m looking forward to studying business and returning to Collier County, where I’ve grown up, and help pay it forward to the next group of students. Stay Tuned!
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