Lighting the Fire

Our Programs

Alabama Teacher of the Year

Since 2001, the JEFCOED Foundation has managed the district level competition for this, the nation’s oldest teacher recognition program. Over the years, JEFCOED teachers have been named Alabama Teacher of the Year at the Elementary or Secondary level seven times. In 2003, Dr. Betsy Rogers was named National Teacher of the Year and represented the Jefferson County School District the world over as she spoke to educators throughout that year and modeled outstanding teacher leadership.

Career Pathway Initiatives

The challenge for our 13 JEFCOED high schools to produce graduates who are fully prepared for their next steps toward a meaningful, sustainable and successful career has never been greater than today. Whether that means “prepared” to attend a two or four-year college, technical or trade/skills training programs or entry level application to a job directly after high school, the JEFCOED Foundation supports and helps to expand opportunities for all post-grad students to succeed.

Central Alabama Children’s Fund

Limitations on public education funds sometime restricts schools from being able to meet personal needs of students who experience unexpected hard times. The Foundation partners with the United Way of Central Alabama to establish a fund for these situations and works through district supervisors to identify and help meet the needs. Whether left homeless by a house fire or changing family dynamics, we offer students assistance as they adjust to the changes.

Educator Grants Program

The flagship program of our Foundation, classroom grants were first offered to teachers in 1992. Since then, over $1 Million in $500 and $1,000 grants have funded projects that allowed teachers to expand the boundaries of their classrooms and bring lessons alive for their students. Almost 2,000 grants have been issued to enhance and add to the basics of core curriculum lessons. The program continues to open new doors for teachers in connecting with the changing ways that students learn.

Healthy Learners Fund

Medical research tells us that student who are hungry do not retain knowledge at a level that will sustain a normal learning experience. While families can apply for free or reduced priced meals for students, lunch accounts still sometimes go unpaid because of unexpected financial circumstances. Donations from area businesses and individuals maintain this fund to assist students and families with unpaid student accounts and to avoid food insecurity and combat hunger.

Lead Teacher Mentor Program

To place a high quality teacher in every classroom has been the number one goal of JEFCOED’s new teacher mentorships since the Foundation-supported program began in 2006. Designed to support educators in years 1-3 of their practice, the program assigns a highly skilled mentor for each teacher and offers stipends to mentors for the shared professional development. Lower attrition rates, relationship-building, and sharing of teaching strategies are consistent outcomes of the Mentor Program.

Leadership Academy

We believe the key to dynamic, successful schools is leadership. This partnership provides a five-tiered approach to build leaders at all levels of experience in our schools. Using many best practices from the business community, along with exposure to nearby districts exhibiting those practices successfully, emerging and veteran leaders address management skills, personal traits for leaders, instructional guidance and a plan to manage a culture of change and to utilize valuable community resources.

Science Olympiad Teams

The inherent curiosity of students is channeled into avenues for creativity, design and experimentation that result in learning experiences for members of the 51 JEFCOED Science Olympiad Teams throughout our district. The Foundation recognizes the achievements of these teams by providing awards for the competitions and helping to link area business support with the needs of the program. In addition to the SO teams, five schools host Destination Imagination Teams and prepare them for competitions.

Second Mile Teacher

Each school year, some faculty member stands out among their peers for a specific achievement, recognition or accomplishment that impacts student learning and enhances the climate and culture of that school. In May, as the school year winds down, the Foundation asks each school to identify that one teacher to be celebrated as one who “went the Second Mile for students”. A special recognition event is hosted for the school nominees.