Investing in Educators
At the start of the 2020-2021 academic year, SYF welcomed five new Simon Youth Academies to our national network: Simon Youth Academy at Greenfield-Central Schools (Greenfield, Ind.), in partnership with Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation; Simon Youth Calcasieu Parish Academy (Sulphur, La.), in partnership with Calcasieu Parish School Board; Simon Youth Academy at Peabody Community High School (Peabody, Mass.), in partnership with Peabody Public Schools; Simon Youth Center Grove Academy (Greenwood, Ind.), in partnership with Center Grove Community School Corporation; and Simon Youth Academy at Phoenix High School (Lawrenceville, Ga.), in collaboration with Gwinnett County Public Schools. Additionally, all eight eligible school districts renewed their partnerships with SYF in 2020, ensuring that 12 Simon Youth Academies continue to serve students in seven states.
As a result of these partnerships, SYF supported 42 Simon Youth Academies in 15 states this year, reaching 5,257 students – a 32% increase from the 2019-2020 academic year!
One of the many reasons school districts partner with SYF is to access the relevant, impactful professional development opportunities SYF provides throughout the year. The SYF Bader Fellowship program, for example, is designed to enhance and strengthen the Simon Youth Academy network by using the power of exchange to cultivate best practices. SYF Bader Fellows travel to a host Academy community for a week-long immersive professional development experience to share innovative techniques, classroom adaptions, and more. All fellows develop a project that generates new knowledge about student support, teaching success, or community impact. They then discuss and share their projects at SYF’s Annual Educator Conference.
One of the many reasons school districts partner with SYF is to access the relevant, impactful professional development opportunities SYF provides throughout the year. The SYF Bader Fellowship program, for example, is designed to enhance and strengthen the Simon Youth Academy network by using the power of exchange to cultivate best practices. SYF Bader Fellows travel to a host Academy community for a week-long immersive professional development experience to share innovative techniques, classroom adaptions, and more. All fellows develop a project that generates new knowledge about student support, teaching success, or community impact. They then discuss and share their projects at SYF’s Annual Educator Conference.
This opportunity – generously funded through the Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation – was paused in the 2020-2021 academic year due to the ongoing pandemic. Still, SYF looks forward to resuming it and welcoming a new cohort of fellows in fall 2021.
Rather than pause SYF’s Annual Educator Conference, a hallmark of SYF’s professional development offerings, SYF transformed the in-person event into a yearlong virtual experience open to all of SYF’s 500 educators. Each month, SYF offered multiple professional development sessions led by Simon Youth Academy educators and national experts around topics such as The Intersection of Education, Grief, & Social Justice; Supporting the Wounded Educator, and Harnessing and Enhancing Your Resilience. Recognizing the importance of mental and physical health, SYF also offered monthly yoga, informal resource-sharing sessions, and even sponsored two book clubs.
Traditionally, SYF’s annual conference culminates in a celebratory luncheon. Rather than cancel this event, SYF held a virtual awards celebration in November with more than 105 educators and friends of SYF. Thanks to support from the Pacers video production team, SYF recognized Academy milestones, retiring educators, Circle of Hope donors, and even surprised the Teacher and Administrator of the Year!
2020 Teacher of the Year:
Marcia Southern
Simon Youth Kelley Academy (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Through her 38 years of dedicated teaching in Knoxville, Tenn., Marcia has earned a reputation for holding her students to high academic standards. She knows that when you set high expectations, students will rise to the occasion. Many students who have failed to earn an English or Social Studies credit before entering her classroom leave having tackled The Canterbury Tales, Macbeth, and Beowulf. Her nominator said that Marcia’s passion for her student’s academic and social-emotional success is evident in all she does. From tailoring instruction to meet each student’s needs, exposing students to the knowledge they need to be successful, and caring for the students as individuals, Marcia is truly a world-class educator.
“At first, I was skeptical of coming to this school because it’s not like others, but coming to this school has probably been the best decision. Not only do they prepare you for real life, but they care for each student. This school helps me stay focused and motivated to graduate and continue my education. Before, I was not sure about college. Now I think differently because I feel motivated enough to reach for my dreams.”
– Graduate, Simon Youth Kelley Academy
2020 Administrator of the Year
Dr. Angela Harding
Simon Youth Coast High School Academy (Huntington Beach, Calif.)
Dr. Harding’s extensive experience in education, her love of learning, and her deep commitment to her students and staff contribute to her skilled leadership. During the 2020-2021 academic year, she introduced the positive psychology coaching Burn-In Mindset – what her nominator described as a tremendous gift to Academy students and staff. Dr. Harding actively works to create and maintain a solid and dynamic team that together promotes student success. Most importantly, she has created a school culture defined by the caring relationships that students and educators cultivate in their Academy every day.
“My school is a very good school – in fact, the best school I’ve been to. The teachers always make you comfortable and ready to learn. They aren’t just interested in you getting a good grade, they also really get to know you. The teachers at my school have always given it their 100% to help and teach us. This is truly a great school!”
– Graduate, Simon Youth Coast High School Academy
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