This semester, the College is pleased to announce the first projects that will be recipients of Improving Futures Fund Awards. A committee of College of Education donors and supporters reviewed 17 proposals from the COE faculty and staff. We are incredibly thankful to committee members Ramon & Gloria Ross, Barbara Brown, Mary Lawlor, Skip Meno, Angie Lasagna and Joan Curry for their time in reviewing the proposals.
While the committee acknowledged that many of the proposals were deserving of support, they were able to recommended three of the proposals for immediate funding. As the Improving Futures Fund gains recognition and additional support, the committee hopes to be able to fund even more of the outstanding proposals submitted.
Read below about the first recipients of the Improving Futures Fund and consider supporting the initiative yourself! It is the College of Education’s hope and goal to be able to present a second round of IFF Awards in the spring semester.
EarthLab San Diego
Proposed by Dr. Luke Duesbery, School of Teacher EducationThis project will engage middle school students in Southeast San Diego in hands-on math and science instruction in a four-acre outdoor classroom outside of Millennial Tech Middle School. Dr. Duesbery will work in collaboration with a local non-profit agency, College of Education teacher candidates, and local teachers in ways that will teach students challenging academic concepts through exciting, hands-on approaches.
The Center for Visual Literacy
Proposed by Dr. Marva Cappello, School of Teacher EducationAs we strive to teach all children more complex academic skills, we should ensure that teachers become expert at using visual resources to help convey meaning. This new endeavor will engage College of Education students and faculty in research, teaching, and service activities that help educators learn how to make expert use of visual representations as they teach complex concepts to diverse groups of students.
Watch the proposal video on YouTube.
Connecting Communities of Learners: Linking SDSU Students to Elementary Students and Their Families in Underserved Communities
Proposed by Jeana Preston, Center for Family, School, and Community EngagementSelected as the Mission Federal Credit Union award winner, this project builds upon an existing effort to engage families in their children’s literacy development in two local schools. The expanded effort will engage College of Education students in ways that give them valuable opportunities to build relationships with diverse families in ways that support children’s academic development.
The SDSU College of Education is so grateful to have community partners like Mission Federal Credit Union. Currently Mission Federal Credit Union is running a program to help raise additional funds for teachers and schools. To participate, simply open an account with Mission Federal Credit Union and mention the school you would like to support. Not only will you earn $25 for just for opening your new account, but $25 will be sent to the school of your choice. Download Mission 4 R Schools flyer.
Please join the College of Education in congratulating the creators of these first successful proposals. Also, please join us in thanking the organizations and individuals (including some members of our own faculty and staff) who contributed to the IFF and made this first round of awards possible. We are so excited to continue to grow the IFF program and see all of the amazing opportunities that come of it for our students and the communities they serve!
Visit the Improving Futures Fund website to see how you can participate.