A new way to help our county schools

has succeeded on a substantial scale. Johnson is a local entrepreneur, a voiceover artist and a former member of the county School Board.

The foundation supports programs that are creative but difficult for the county to fund.

BY DAVID S. KERR

The Stafford Education Foundation isn’t necessarily a part of the Stafford County Public School system. It’s sponsored by the school system and works closely with the schools, but it is in many respects an independent entity.

One of those ways is that the educational foundation relies on funds it generates and the work of volunteers. It’s made up of average citizens, businesspeople, retirees, moms and dads and community activists – all working together to improve and support Stafford public schools.

Stephanie Johnson, president of the Stafford Education Foundation, said the foundation “meets the needs of the schools that aren’t being met or that the schools are unable to meet.” So far, the foundation

An example is the Innovative Teacher Grant. These are small grant requests (sometimes as low as $50) from individual teachers that augment the teaching curriculum. The grants are sometimes directed at a single class, grade or department. The energy to make the grants successful, of course, comes from the teachers and the students.

Another program, still in the conceptual stages, is to help alleviate the county’s teacher shortage by reaching out to veterans who are transitioning from their service careers to civilian careers. The foundation is looking at ways to reach this group and interest them in teaching. Transitioning veterans represent a large group in the Stafford area.

The foundation is also looking at ways to fund “scholarships” to support the training necessary for new provisionally certified educators to become fully certified teachers.

Also, the foundation has provided matching grants and awards to schools for their anti-bullying initiatives, a major initiative of the county school system. However, these weighty issues aren’t the only concerns of the foundation. When I went to school – a long time ago –buildings were almost always murals and plans to sponsor more – most, but not all, with a historical theme – which helps to build the school’s identity.

Stafford Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor has high praise for the foundation. “The Stafford Education Foundation has been an instrumental partner in our progress,” he added.

“Supporting our ‘Chart Your Future’ series, sponsoring the school system’s anti-bullying campaign, teacher innovation painted a slightly off-green color with as little creativity (or art) as possible.

For years Stafford has been trying to make the color schemes of its schools less monotonous and to add a little art – especially art with a lesson or a message. The education foundation has sponsored several school grants, leadership development, and the visual and performing arts, we could not provide the high level of service to our community without the SEF.”

David Kerr is a Stafford resident and an adjunct professor of political science at VCU. He worked on Capitol Hill and for various federal agencies for many years.