Educate Fairfax Announces Teacher Grant Recipients for 2023-2024

This year, we are pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s teacher grants promoting workforce development and career readiness skills in Pre-K through twelfth grade.  Fifty-seven applicants were selected for total funding of more than $95,000 and impacting more than 16,000 students across FCPS.  For a full listing of this year’s grants, please visit our Teacher Grant page.  The grant portal for Fall 2024 will open in August.  Stay tuned for more details!


Dr. Lynette Henry Appointed New Executive Director of Educate Fairfax

Educate Fairfax is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Lynette Henry as the new Executive Director, effective Nov. 1, 2023. Dr. Henry’s selection comes after an extensive and collaborative nationwide search between the Chief Experience and Engagement Office and the Educate Fairfax Executive Board.

In alignment with Fairfax County Public Schools’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, Dr. Henry will be responsible for building on the foundation’s work and growing its contributions in support of excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every student. Her philanthropic work has resulted in funding that provided wraparound services and support to students and families, increased mentoring, parent engagement, increased college and career opportunities, and extended after school and summer programs. She is known to reach across the division and broader community to engage multiple and diverse stakeholders, build and nurture relationships, and work tirelessly to achieve goals.

Dr. Henry is currently the manager of College Success Programs (CSP) in FCPS where she supervises programming and services district wide to increase access to resources and opportunities for student populations most in need of these services. This work has resulted in expansion of programming of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) to Title 1 schools, College Partnership Program (CPP) to alternative and non-traditional schools, increased numbers of students in the Early Identification Program (EIP), and the highest number of registrations and enrollment in Virginia for the FCPS Dual Enrollment (DE) Program. This investment has resulted in increased access for FCPS students to equitable postsecondary opportunities.

Dr. Henry’s motto is:

“Imagine the Best for Every Child…And Make it Happen!”

We look forward to the expanded positive impact she is committed to bringing to FCPS in this new role. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Henry on her new position.

 


I-66 Express Mobility Partners Supports STEAM and Students in Need

I-66 Express Mobility Partner, builder and operator of the 66 Express Lanes Outside the Beltway, has made a $25,000 contribution to Educate Fairfax.  Of the total, $20,000 will support the Innovators Fund, a program that augments science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, aligning with the workforce needs of the local business community.  Funds provide equipment, supplies, STEM programming and innovation labs inside high schools around Fairfax County.

The remaining $5,000 has been earmarked for Educate Fairfax’s Kids in Need Fund, which provides essential supplies to students from low-income households or other special circumstances such as refugee status.

“Supporting education throughout Northern Virginia has always been core to our corporate mission,” said Nancy H. Smith, corporate affairs director for I-66 EMP.  “As an engineering company, we’re especially motivated to support STEM education, which is so crucial to our region’s and our nation’s economic future.  We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Educate Fairfax for many years to come.”

I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP) is a consortium of leading infrastructure companies including Cintra, Meridiam and APG.  In public-private partnership (P3) with VDOT, I-66 EMP is contracted to operate the 66 Express Outside the Beltway through 2066.


2024 FCPS Hall of Fame Nominations Now Open!

Do you know an FCPS alum who has made significant contributions to their chosen field and/or our local, national or global community?  If so, we’d love to celebrate them!  Educate Fairfax believes our alumni are something special and we’re excited to share their stories.   In the past two years, we’ve recognized leaders from the realms of business, education, community service, entertainment, military, sports and government.

We are now accepting nominations for the Spring 2024 class of inductees into the FCPS Hall of Fame.

Nominations close January 12, 2024!  The Induction will be held Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Westwood Country Club.

Learn more about the Hall of Fame and submit a nomination here or scan and share the QR code below.


2024 Teacher Grant Portal Now Open!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Educate Fairfax invites teachers, counselors, and other school personnel to apply for its annual grant program for projects to be completed in the 2023-2024 school year. Grant requests between $1,000 – $2,000 can be submitted for projects that address workforce development and career readiness skills in grades K-12.

Detailed grant guidelines and a link to the application can be found here.

Applications will be accepted from August 14 through September 22 .  Awardees will be notified in October and funds will be disbursed November 8.

*If you have applied for or received a grant from us in the past but have moved schools, please reach out to us so we can make sure your contact information is affiliated with your new school.

Questions? Contact us at info@educatefairfax.org or 571-423-1420.



What a Night! The FCPS Hall of Fame

Over 120 people attended the FCPS Hall of Fame induction event on April 19th. It was a true joy to hear the inspiring stories of our honorees, and meet some of the family members, friends, teachers and mentors who helped them achieve success. This year’s class of inductees (pictured above) spanned four decades and represented a broad range of professional experience and expertise. (Learn more about their stories by clicking here.)

Thank you to our Annual Sponsors for their support as well: Apple Federal Credit Union, Cigna, Cox Business, Dominion Energy, Guernsey, Inc., Kaiser Permanente, Milestone Towers, Moseley Architects and Ricoh, USA.

Do you know an outstanding FCPS alum who has made a significant impact in their chosen field and in the community? We’re already accepting nominations for next year’s class. Click here to access the 2024 nomination form.


Announcing the 2023 Inductees into the FCPS Hall of Fame

Twelve amazing FCPS alumni will be recognized in April as the newest inductees into the FCPS Hall of Fame.

This year’s class of Hall of Fame members include an Army general, an ambassador, entrepreneurs, a scientist, a doctor and philanthropist, and two non-profit leaders in Fairfax. Meet them all at this link.

We are so proud to recognize them, and know you’ll want to be there to cheer them on.

The celebration will be April 19, and tickets are available here!


Deadline Extended: FCPS Hall of Fame

Do you know an outstanding graduate of FCPS who is making meaningful contributions in their community? If so, nominate them for the FCPS Hall of Fame! Our school district has so many amazing graduates who are influencing the world in business, the arts, education, diplomacy, politics and every other area. Educate Fairfax is creating a community where these alumni continue to be engaged with FCPS, our students, and one another.

Nominated a Distinguished Alumni today and join us on April 19, 2023 for the FCPS Hall of Fame event.

The Nomination Form is Available Through this Link!


Educate Fairfax Launches the Innovators’ Fund

At the 2022 Leaders & Learners Breakfast, Board Chairman Cindy Anderson announced a new initiative for 2022-2023, the Innovators’ Fund. This fund will be used to enhance, support, and drive creativity and innovation at all levels in FCPS, particularly related to STEM education. Educate Fairfax will match the first $50,000 in donations to this fund!

Find out more and make your contribution at this link.

We’re excited to keep FCPS at the forefront of innovation and educational excellence!