Two Teachers Benefit From The Staples Foundation Grant
May 8, 2013
Two teachers benefit from Staples Foundation Grant to attend teacher training
DALLAS – The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), a non-profit organization launched in 2007 to transform math and science education in the United States, has been awarded a $1,000 grant by The Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc. During Teacher Appreciation Week, NMSI announces that two teachers will benefit from this grant. These teachers will choose one of NSMI’s many Summer Institutes to attend NMSI’s Teacher Training program.
“We need to prepare educators with the resources to provide more rigorous coursework for students,” said Sara Martinez Tucker, CEO of NMSI. “This grant will provide scholarships for two teachers that have demonstrated their desire to keep learning and growing as an educator. We know that these educators are key to building high-quality education that meets the needs of this century’s competitive workforce.”
NMSI’s three-year Teacher Training program provides grades 3-12 math, science, and English teachers the teaching strategies and content knowledge to ensure increased rigor that is deeply aligned to Common Core State Standards.
“I love that NMSI training allows me to do and see the activities from the student and teacher perspectives,” said Tabitha Shelton, Biology Teacher and Department Chair at LHS Freshman MLC Campus in Lockhart, Texas. “Several of the labs had multiple cross-curricular elements that I like to incorporate into my lessons. This is by far the BEST training to help boost your lessons and ultimately help our students reach for the stars!”
The grants are part of a new philanthropic initiative created by Staples Foundation which allows Staples associates around the world to direct funding to non-profit organizations that are focused on education or job skills.
“Receiving the Staples Foundation scholarship allows me to continue the vital training I began last summer as a part of NMSI’s Teacher Training program,” said Lydia Meadows, 6th grade math educator at Melillo Middle School, Pasadena Independent School District. “Having access to the modules, notes and assessments is like having a panel of master teachers at my fingertips. NMSI’s Teacher Training program has given me confidence that I am doing the right thing, the right way. When I am confident in my skill set, the students are confident in what they are learning.”
In 2012, U.S. associates directed more than $1.4 million of Staples Foundation grants to 434 local non-profit organizations. The new program, called 2 Million & Change, will award additional funds to organizations around the world, reaching more than $2 million in grants for the year.
“Staples Foundation is committed to making a positive impact in the communities where our associates live and work,” said Katy Dobbs, director of global community relations for Staples, Inc. “Through our new program, we are pleased to support our associates and the local non-profit organizations that matter to them most.”
About National Math and Science Initiative: NMSI, a non-profit organization, was launched in 2007 by top leaders in business, education, and science to transform education in the United States. NMSI has received national recognition for training K-12 teachers and improving student performance through the rapid expansion of these highly successful programs: NMSI's AP program, NMSI's Teacher Training program, and UT Austin’s UTeach program. NMSI’s AP program dramatically increases the number of students taking and passing AP math, science, and English exams, and expands access to traditionally underrepresented students and students in military families. NMSI’s Teacher Training program has trained over 60,000 teachers to deliver more rigorous lessons in the classroom and was selected by PARCC as a premier partner to deliver common core teacher training. The UTeach program, which is now in 35 universities in 17 states, will produce a new generation of content-trained teachers that will impact millions of students in the next decade. Inaugural funding for NMSI was provided by the Exxon Mobil Corporation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. For more information, visit www.nms.org. Media Contact: Mary Ortiz, 214-346-1245, mortiz@nms.org
About Staples Community and Giving
Staples contributes to educational and youth-oriented community efforts, from literacy and mentoring to career skills development, through in-kind and monetary donations and grants from Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc. Through its community and giving efforts, Staples and Staples Foundation have helped more than 6,000 organizations in 2,000 communities across 27 countries. Community and Giving is also an integral component of Staples Soul, which recognizes the connection between long-term business success and the impact Staples has on associates, communities and the planet. For more information, visit www.staples.com/community.