PEF will be discontinuing our operations in Spring 2023.
The PEF board of directors is proud to have had the opportunity to support teachers and students in their efforts to improve literacy and educational outcomes in the Pittsfield schools for the past eight years. The Foundation’s resolute members worked to generate funds for enriching educational opportunities and enhanced professional development for teachers: bridging the gap in services that are beyond the capacity of the school district’s limited budget.
PEF's Statement of Solidarity, Support & Action
As a community and educational organization we denounce all discriminatory practices that result in the perseveration of the inequities imposed on people of color. We believe that education is a human right. Teachers play a major role in influencing needed change. PEF is committed to providing resources to support social justice education for educators and students in Pittsfield, MA. #BLM
What We Do
- Making a Difference -
Programs we've supported
Professional development for educators:
PEF sponsored a special event in conjunction with the NAACP, Pittsfield Public Schools, and North Adams Public Schools called Hard Conversations in Safe Spaces. Organized by community leader Shirley Edgerton, attendees learned techniques to confront and respond to racism and racial inequities in schools and our community. Educators participated in a follow-up debrief session to discuss the implications of their practice.
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Conversational Spanish course to improve communication with families.
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Training on strategies for working with students diagnosed with ADHD.
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Refined lesson planning and participation in research-based training to support literacy skills.
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Teacher presentation at the 2018 American Alliance of Theatre & Education National Conference.
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Enhanced vocabulary instruction and explore researched-based reading interventions.
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Creating hands-on kits to build fluency in mathematics at the elementary level.
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Tuition support for a Pittsfield educator to complete a Master’s degree program.
Student Programs:
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Scholarships for graduating high school seniors.
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Supported Taconic's media program by giving resources for them to expand the TV studio equipment.
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Funded Cynthia Grauman, Special Ed Reading Interventionist, to expand her classroom library.
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Support for Dr. Shirley Edgerton’s social justice program that teaches young men strategies to overcome adversity.
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Summer Writers’ Workshop to help middle school students build confidence in writing.
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Provided Digital Escape Rooms for high school students to develop collaborative problem-solving skills.
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Sent elementary students to Ramblewild for team building and to learn about nature.
