The Foundation for the Mid South is investing in improving the academic success of the students of today and tomorrow in the Greenwood Public School District.  The Foundation is supporting the district with a $1.5 million grant over three years to expand master teacher/administrator professional development activities. The goals of the grant are to:
 
Improve the knowledge and skills of administrators in instructional leadership;
Provide literacy coaches to address the district’s deficiencies in reading;
Improve content knowledge and classroom instructional skills of teachers in math, language arts, and science; and Improve parents’ understanding of school expectations and encourage academic support at home.

The underlying premise is that when a district enhances administrator and teacher leadership skills and instructional capacities then student achievement will increase over the long term.  Moreover, when schools encourage parental involvement, a community culture is created that embraces and values education.  Together, the increased capacity of the teachers and administrators and the school and parent partnership will sustain increased expectations and accountability for continual improvements to the education system.

“The Greenwood Public School District has a vision to improve academic success for all students and to achieve the highest accreditation level for all its schools,” stated Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Wilson. “This grant will enable us to provide high-quality instruction to our students, shift our school culture to one that expects only excellence, and establish a strong community bond that supports education improvement.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to work with the Greenwood Public School District toward increasing student academic success,” said Foundation for the Mid South Program Officer, Aisha Nyandoro.  “This partnership deepens our commitment to strengthening the education systems in Leflore County, and we know the teachers and administrators in Greenwood are up to the challenge.”