Updates
December 19, 2024
Issue 10: October 2024 – December 2024
The mission of the Knox Education Foundation is to be a catalyst for the transformation of public education by investing in and advocating for innovative programs, partnerships, and initiatives to achieve excellent outcomes for all students.
Knox Education Foundation continues to support collaborative efforts to overcome barriers, advance opportunities, and empower all students. We hope you enjoy the updates highlighted in this issue of Knox Education Station.
A Message from our CEO
As another year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to wish you Happy Holidays and thank our sponsors, donors, and community for their generosity and impact on students across Knox County. Together, we advanced initiatives that closed the achievement gap, expanded educator training, erected new elementary school playgrounds, supported workforce development, provided books to more than 30,000 students, and developed innovative solutions to accelerate outcomes for all students.
Academic success is more than a grade on a report card or crossing the stage at graduation. It provides the greatest opportunity for economic mobility and is an investment in our community’s greatest asset – the next generation. This investment in educational excellence advances student achievement, builds lifelong learners, and develops our community’s future leaders. Advancing student outcomes isn’t easy, and while I’m excited about the progress we’ve made, there is much more work to be done.
As the new year begins, KEF is looking ahead to opportunities to expand our partnerships and engage the community in strengthening Knox County Schools. KEF will continue to provide solutions to the challenges facing our education system as we invest in strategies and bolster priorities that drive our schools toward excellence.
If you haven’t made a gift to KEF this year, it’s not too late to make an investment in our students, especially at the holiday season. Thank you for your commitment to making a difference for the next generation. Our students rely on great schools, and great schools rely on YOU!
— Mike Taylor, CEO
Investing in Principals as the Lever for School Improvement
Knox Education Foundation (KEF) is proud to spotlight its partnership with PIVOT: School Improvement Leaders, an organization focused on advancing school leader development to drive results for every student.
Investing in principal leadership development is critical because principals play a pivotal role in fostering effective teaching and creating positive school cultures—both directly tied to improved student outcomes. Research highlights that strong leadership accounts for up to 25% of a school’s impact on student achievement, second only to classroom instruction. By equipping principals with skills in instructional leadership, data-driven decision-making, and equity-focused practices, schools can establish environments where both students and educators excel.
In 2023-2024, KEF supported a pilot initiative with PIVOT to launch its three-year cohort model for principals leading state-designated “turnaround schools.” Following a successful first year, the support expanded to include additional principals and assistant principals in these schools, while proactively building district-level capacity for future leadership development and support.
PIVOT’s model emphasizes a sustained school improvement strategy centered on principal leadership. It offers specialized training and support designed to strengthen leadership skills and improve outcomes.
“PIVOT is so grateful for KEF’s support as we’ve partnered with Knox County Schools to provide additional development and support to principals and assistant principals who are leading significant improvement efforts in schools” said Amy Galloway. “Research tells us that principals have a significant impact on outcomes for students. Providing additional capacity building for principals who are doing the incredibly challenging work of school improvement is crucial for seeing sustained progress. KEF’s support has made this work possible for the last two years, and we are seeing the impact on improved student learning.”
— Amy Galloway, Executive Director and Co-Founder of PIVOT
To learn more about PIVOT and the impact of their inaugural year, visit PIVOT’s Annual Report 2024.
865 Academies Teacher Externships
“The 865 Academies are the best thing for students since sliced bread! High Schools should be all about the preparation of kids for the real world and I am so thankful teachers and high school leadership have embraced 865 Academies. 865 Academies hits the mark and nails it; I have been searching for a program like this for 20 years. We are investing in future success both for the prosperity of our students and society as well. Now students can look forward to life after high school graduation with confidence and a purpose vs being uncertain about career paths available and college curriculum decisions!”
— Brian Keyes, Senior Vice President of Operations at Connor Concepts, Inc.
On November 5th, 67 high school educator teams partnered with 47 industry and postsecondary organizations for a day of impactful teacher externships. Organized by dedicated academy coaches, this event provided teachers, principals, and counselors with firsthand insights into various industries and career paths. By immersing themselves in real-world environments, educators gained a deeper understanding of the skills and competencies their students need to succeed. This experience strengthened the connection between the classroom and the professional world, equipping educators to deliver more relevant, career-focused learning experiences.
Teacher externships are a transformative professional development opportunity, allowing educators to engage directly with industry professionals and learn how academic concepts are applied in the workplace. By incorporating up-to-date labor market information and workplace practices into their teaching, educators can better prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce. Businesses benefit too, as supporting even one educator can influence the educational experiences of 20-150 students annually. These externships not only enrich teaching strategies but also foster meaningful collaboration between schools and industry, ensuring that student learning aligns with real-world expectations.
