Successful Schools Fund Enhances Educator Professional Development

January 2020: Successful Schools Fund Enhances Educator Professional Development

Teachers and administrators at Muncie Community Schools benefit from professional development including direct training in specialized teaching methods and online training subscriptions through the Successful Schools Fund.

Between 2018 and 2020, The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $235,126 to Muncie Community Schools through the fund.

An MCS teacher puts into practice a new reading education method in the classroom.

The Board of Directors of The Community Foundation established the Successful Schools Fund in May 2018 following the Indiana Legislature’s landmark decision to give Ball State University control of Muncie Community Schools. The Foundation Board would use the Successful Schools Fund to support the partnership between the university and the school system with an investment of up to $200,000 over three years for professional development opportunities for certified staff. Board members, along with other community members, made personal contributions to the Successful Schools Fund.

Students engage in small group learning in an MCS classroom.

Foundation staff worked closely with Muncie Community Schools teachers and administrators to ensure the program met their most pressing needs and would have a lasting impact on students.

Students practice telling time with their teacher in the classroom.

The Innovation and Strategic Plan for Muncie Community Schools expressed that professional learning is essential for the school system’s advancement. They utilize professional learning opportunities that are student-centered and reflect the direction of their foundational pillars. In September, Muncie Community Schools requested the remainder of the funding for additional professional development opportunities, including training in Fountas and Pinnell, iReady, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), and Schoology.

An MCS teacher uses a variety of learning tools in the classroom to engage students.

“We focused on our new elementary reading curriculum, common benchmark assessment, teacher effectiveness rubric, and the continued implementation of our Learning Management System,” said Chuck Reynolds, Associate Superintendent for Muncie Community Schools. “Without the generous support of The Community Foundation and the Successful Schools Fund, we would not have been able to offer these robust opportunities to support our staff and students.”