THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF COLLIER COUNTY INC.

This program is designed to equip and prepare 11th and 12th grade students for their future learning and career goals. Students will learn about the various options that are available to them post-graduation, including college programs and career opportunities. They will also gain valuable experience in how to make informed life decisions regarding their educational and vocational pursuits. Students enroll in either the college or technical pathway. The program incorporates and emphasizes relevant skills and components that have been proven to be highly effective for students seeking either college readiness or career preparation: academic support, college and career planning, leadership development, college access, coaching, community service learning, financial literacy, and work experience. The program empowers students from households with low incomes and the middle-class gap who cannot afford the full cost of post-secondary education or technical training without help.

Technical Pathways provides 9th and 10th grade students with guidance on how to navigate the academic, technical, and real- world knowledge, skills, and experience they need to be prepared for post-secondary opportunities. This program is fully aligned with the enrollment strategy of Lorenzo Walker Technical College – to expand career dual enrollment into the technical college, where students will earn credit towards both high school graduation and a career and technical program certificate. Technical Pathways focuses on the exploration of real career opportunities, establishing bridges to future education, and improving graduation rates. Students will learn how Lorenzo Walker Technical College will develop their career skills and gain understanding of various industry credentials and certification processes. The program emphasizes Career and Technical Education, which prepares students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand careers.

Collier County Public School’s Entrepreneurship Program offers project-based authentic learning in a real-world environment. The classes are unlike standard ones in that they are very collaborative and hands-on. The CCPS classroom teachers collaborate with volunteers, both retired and business professionals, who mentor student teams, provide real-world context, and champion student efforts. Champions For Learning recruits and retains the skilled volunteers engaged in this program, many of whom are current or retired business professionals in the community. Students embody the spirit of an entrepreneur through their learning and application of business start-up practices and concepts to projects they’re passionate about. They build, test, learn, apply, embrace the cycle of experimentation, and make discoveries from their successes and failures. Students work in teams with the support of a dynamic mix of teachers, coaches, and mentors to foster deeper learning and skill-building.

Classroom Grants allow educators to request funding for supplies, classroom items and enrichment activities not included in the school's budget. Applications must be approved by principals to ensure alignment with school goals and priorities. A volunteer selection committee scores each request against a rubric designed by Champions For Learning for the allocation of funds. According to the National Education Association, more than ninety percent of teachers spend an average of $500 of their own money on school supplies and other items their students need to succeed. The unstated expectation that educators will spend their own money on supplies and equipment are factors in teacher attrition.

Golden Apple is an educator development program that combines the sharing of best practices within and among educators and schools, recognizing and celebrating the teaching profession, and providing continued leadership development for teachers. The components of the program begin with the selection process, identification, and celebration of teaching best practices. The Golden Apple Celebration event celebrates and recognizes the Teachers of Distinction and the six Golden Apple recipients for their best practices and contributions to the teaching profession. The Golden Apple Leadership Academy is designed to expand the capacity of teachers to perform leadership roles within their schools. The goal of Golden Apple is to empower teachers to facilitate the sharing of best practices and build alignment and support within the educator community. As a result, the program cultivates teachers' future growth in the profession and prepares them for success in the classroom.