The project, fully funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, is an intensive, collaborative effort aimed at improving literacy among students, pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade.
The TrueSchool Innovation Fellowship provides a $15,000 scholarship per school to cover the full cost of year-long programmatic and coaching support. Only two states, North Carolina and Nebraska, and 20 schools within each of these two states, were selected.
“This fellowship focuses on an area of chronic need throughout our state - early literacy development and proficiency. Many stakeholders have attempted to solution-seek this need through legislation, policy, and programs, but none specifically meet the needs of our school here in Battleboro, NC. We are excited to be on the forefront of reimaging what early literacy development can look like for our scholars at our school and equally excited to embark on this journey allowing us to innovate with our community,” said Katelyn Row, Coker-Wimberly principal.
“Participation in this fellowship will provide our school support in learning more about the design process and really ensuring our efforts are more than just innovative, but genuinely meet the needs of our children,” added Row.
Selected schools will each create teams made up of 3 to 6 members, including the principal and at least 2 teacher leaders. These teams, with the assistance of TrueSchool’s specialized program and experienced coaches, will “lead a school-wide innovation effort with a focus on equity, academic achievement, social-emotional support, and 21st century learning” said TrueSchool CEO Amy Vreeland. “Educators working on the ground know their school, student, and community needs best. We provide the time, process, and support to enable their leadership potential to flourish and their bold ideas to come to life.”
TrueSchool, based in New Orleans, has worked with over 1,500 educators in 108 schools who are effecting change for more than 200,000 students in cities across the United States, including Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Oakland.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, founded in 1930, is one of the world’s largest private foundations. It works with communities around the world to improve conditions for vulnerable children.