A Note from CEO Kim Jowell |
We hope you had a happy Thanksgiving—whether it was spent with family and friends at the table or in your heart. Like so many things this year, the holiday season looks a little different. We are so thankful for your support throughout this unprecedented year.
As you are making your shopping list, we hope you will consider adding one more item—the Gift of Education. By giving to HEF this holiday season, you will help provide the school supplies and technology students need for academic success, support the aspirations of higher education of seniors through scholarships and mentoring, help teachers enhance learning opportunities for students with classroom grants and so much more!
Please visit our website to give the best gift you can give, the gift of education.
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HEF Board of Directors: Our Students, Community
Can't Afford to Lose USF College of Education Graduates
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Amid budget cuts, the University of South Florida recently made recommendations to consider eliminating the undergraduate degree in the College of Education.
In this editorial, HEF's Board of Directors collectively voiced concerns over USF's proposal that would drastically reduce the number of baccalaureate certified teachers entering the workforce in our area. Right now, nearly half of the teachers in Hillsborough County Public Schools are USF graduates.
HEF is focused solely on strengthening public education in Hillsborough County and that cannot and will not happen without effective teachers in our classrooms.
Our board is asking USF leaders to collaborate with community partners to find innovative solutions to reimagine the College of Education without terminating the program that has been so beneficial to all.
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We're Looking for Business Leaders to Make a Difference
and Volunteer for CEOs in Schools
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We still need more than 50 CEOs and senior executives to participate in this year's CEOs in Schools One Day of Change!
Local business leaders can stand up and assist those who are making a difference for our children by volunteering time and knowledge. Our teachers, staff and administrators in public schools need our community's encouragement now more than ever.
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To offer support during this critical time, Hillsborough Education Foundation in partnership with Vistra Communications and Hillsborough County Public Schools invites Tampa Bay Area senior executives with a passion for supporting youth to sign up to volunteer for a day at a Hillsborough County public elementary school. This volunteerism is part of the educational and innovative program CEOs in Schools.
On Feb. 19, 2021, nearly 170 leaders will get a front-row seat to the educational process by joining a local principal to see what schools and administrators experience every day. CEOs will gain a fresh perspective on the vital role our schools play in preparing young people for success in the 21st century.
Would you like to make a lasting impact in the lives of students—our future workforce? Select a school and join us for this exciting day.
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HEF's 2021 Excellence in Education Awards Goes Virtual |
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With everything that school staff has endured this year, it’s more important than ever that we celebrate their incredible work. We invite you to join us in honoring our county's top educators and support personnel at our 2021 Excellence in Education Awards on January 21, 2021.
This year, our Mask-a-rade themed event, hosted in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools and sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union, will be held virtually. So, you can tune in from the comfort of your home as we celebrate our nominees, finalists and winners of the Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year, Instructional Support Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards.
It will be a memorable experience complete with a variety of virtual rooms you can visit before the show begins to interact with friends, colleagues and community supporters, plus you’ll have a chance to win some awesome prizes!
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Look for HEF on the Road! |
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HEF has new wheels! We purchased a Box Truck this year to allow us to make school supply deliveries and donation pick-ups more efficiently and cost effectively than continuing to rent a truck.
Wave 'hello' if you spot us out on the road!
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Our work doesn't happen without the generosity of our donors. That's why we are dedicating a section in our monthly newsletter to showcase the individuals and companies making our mission possible. |
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Joseph and Evelyn McFadden Scholarship |
Education has always been a cornerstone of the McFadden Family. Both Joseph and his wife Evelyn have spent the majority of their professional careers as educators, molding the lives of countless young people in some of Hillsborough County's highest needs schools.
So, when Joseph passed away nearly three months ago, Evelyn knew she wanted to do something special that honored his dedication to education. What resulted was the Joseph and Evelyn McFadden Scholarship through HEF, a legacy that will impact students for generations to come.
“Joseph was able to give the students he worked with hope and many have made positive changes in their lives. Those are the students who could benefit most from this scholarship,” said widow Evelyn McFadden. “It’s about wanting to encourage and help others to give them a leg up. For the kids who may not be thinking about college or want to go to a trade school, community or technical college—this is someone saying: ‘You can do it!’”
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Known as "Mr. Mac" to his students, Joseph worked as an educator at Stewart Middle, Franklin Middle Magnet and most recently Jennings Middle School. After McFadden's passing, students and staff held an on-campus tribute to the beloved teacher. Donations from the school will also help support this scholarship.
Mrs. McFadden says her husband truly made a difference in so many lives, and will continue to do so with this scholarship.
"He was an all-around good guy, a family man, able to connect with everyone he met, always upbeat and will definitely be missed."
Contributions given to HEF’s scholarship program are a wonderful way to invest in the future of our community by supporting students’ dreams of pursuing higher education. The majority of our more than 200 scholarships that we have available for Hillsborough County Public Schools high school seniors are named scholarships. In addition to scholarships, HEF provides various options for legacy giving, including endowments and donor advised funds.
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Get in the Super Bowl Spirit with Super Kids-Super Sharing |
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HEF is proud to team up with NFL Green and community partners for a Super Bowl initiative to help put books, sports equipment, school supplies and games into the hands of local children!
The Super Kids-Super Sharing project encourages families in the Super Bowl host community to donate items you no longer need and pass them along to others who can benefit.
As part of the program, HEF also received a $25K grant from Verizon to support innovative school and classroom enrichment opportunities for Hillsborough County Public Schools students and teachers, including a STEM camp and robotics program.
From now until December 18th, new and very gently used books appropriate for school children, sports equipment of all types, school supplies and board and video games can be dropped off at donation sites around the area and will help the students HEF serves.
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