Partners

making a positive impact from day one.

“We’re received so much positive feedback, our community is very excited to have him in this position,” said Frost. “He’ll be working to help Waterloo Schools maintain our local business relationships, ensuring our community partners feel valued and heard.”

While PIE businesses offer support to a dedicated school building through financial donations, many staff groups enjoy interacting with students through specific programming. At Kittrell Elementary, staff members from InVision Architecture, Veridian, and Hammond Avenue Brethren Church have participated in pen pal programs with fourth grade and special needs students.

As a Veridian employee, Waterloo Schools alumna and Junior

Achievement of Eastern Iowa volunteer, Sylvia Hanson says that helping students learn about financial literacy has personally meant the world to her.

“This is my school district, so being able to impact kids here is something that comes around full circle for me,” said Hanson. “It’s always fun and full of energy. Be- ing able to give them a role model is something I really enjoy.”

Tyler Coan is a Poyner parent, PIE volunteer at First Security State Bank, and Waterloo alum- nus who advocates for businesses to give back to their local schools, helping the Cedar Valley to grow and flourish.

“Supporting PIE is a simple gesture to enable future leaders, future coworkers, and future community members to succeed and solve the problems of our world. Supporting the systems that educate our youth is very rewarding. The staff, students, and families take notice and appreciate the support Partners in Education provides to our schools,” Coan said.

Businesses who would like to become PIE participants, can connect with Martin at martink2@ waterlooschools.org to begin the formal process through Waterloo Schools’ board of education. However, for businesses looking to make a one-time or recurring donation to a school, the Waterloo Schools Foundation offers a portal for community members and businesses to give direct financial support to a specific school and/or program.