SYF 2016-17 Impact Report

Deborah Simon, Chair (left) and Michael Durnil, President (right) recognize William Fellman and Betsy Spardel for their outstanding achievements during the annual SYF Awards Dinner.

Teachers Making a Difference

Partnerships, Grants, Conferences and More

Simon Youth Foundation continues to invest in our partnership offerings as a way to create fidelity with the students, school districts and communities where Simon Youth Academies are located. SYF sustains our value proposition with our partners by creating, evolving and expanding resources that are otherwise not readily available. One way SYF leverages our uniquely held assets is to help provide increased opportunities and experiences. Our workforce development partnerships with CVS, LIDS and other retailers are made possible by the generosity of donors and allied organizations whose missions support education, teachers and student success and help us to cultivate and target areas of specific need. Students and teachers from several academies participated in the annual Close Up Foundation visit to Washington, DC. This scholarship experience offers students an Academy immersion in civic leadership, including Capitol Hill visits with their elected representatives. Students return to their Academy charged with developing and executing a civic engagement activity. The annual SYF enhancement grant awards up to $5,000 to Academies based upon their participation in SYF activities, graduation rates and other markers of success. These incentive-based grants recognize creativity in meeting student needs, or funds those items often sacrificed with limited public school budgets. A total of $110,500 was awarded in 2017. Academies have used these grants to improve reading skills and academic excellence; prepare students for life after high school, and provide for the mental, physical, and emotional wellness of students. SYF recognizes the importance of our teachers and works to provide them with a depth and breadth of materials to meet the demands of their profession. SYF is the largest chapter of the international teaching honor society, Kappa Delta Pi (KDP). Each SYF educator receives a personal membership to all KDP benefits, including an online professional

development community, seminars, research, continuing education and grant opportunities to support day-to-day work in the classroom. As a result of our participation in the November 2015 Center for Effective Philanthropy Youth Truth Survey, SYF sent a delegation of lead Academy teachers to the Reaching the Wounded Student Conference in Orlando, FL. The delegation learned the Trauma Informed Methodology for reaching disenfranchised students, and then served as trainers for their SYF Academy peers at our annual conference. Additionally, SYF developed a partnership with the national Mental Health Educator Association to provide mental health triage training for SYF Academy teachers. Our Annual Teacher’s Conference was held in Indianapolis in November 2016. Conference sessions focused on alternative high school programs, STEM, mindfulness, and restorative justice practices. Activities included a reception at Simon Tower which coincided with our annual employee campaign celebration; participation in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, one of our fundraising activities; and a Pacers’ basketball game at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis hosted the annual awards dinner where SYF honored Academy achievements for graduation rates, length of service and exemplary educators. Our Teacher and Administrator of the Year annual recognition awards provides an honorarium for the educators to use for personal development. The nominees are selected by their peers, and the announcement of the winners of these competitive awards is always a highlight of the year. Congratulations to the 2016 Teacher of the Year, Betsy Spardel, a social studies and English teacher from Simon Youth Rose Tree Media Academy (PA) and the 2016 Administrator of the Year, William “Billy” Fellman, principal of Simon Youth Academy at Hickory Hollow (TN). Betsy and Billy were also honored during their local Academy graduations and will play a key role at the 2017 Teacher’s Conference in Nashville (TN).

Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker