The Loudoun Education Foundation is a public-private partnership empowering the county's students and educators to dream big. Even in one of the wealthiest counties of the country, there are areas of need that are hidden in plain sight. For more than three decades, LEF has helped bridge gaps for Loudoun County Public Schools, from weekend meal bags to scholarships, enrichment programs to classroom teacher grants.
Diversifying the Teacher Workforce Scholarship
The Loudoun Education Foundation’s newest scholarship is an investment in people of diverse backgrounds who dedicate their careers to serving our students. The Diversifying the Teacher Workforce Scholarship embraces the ideas that teachers should represent the vibrant communities they serve, and that students benefit when everyone has a seat at the educator’s table.
Year of the Educator
The 2022-23 school year is officially the “Year of the Educator” in Loudoun County, thanks to a collaboration between LEF and LCPS. Each month throughout the school year, a randomly selected teacher and support staff member are presented with a heartfelt thank you and a prize valued at $500 or more. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to get in on the fun with cash or in-kind donations earmarked for the initiative, at LoudounEducationFoundation.org.
BACKPACK COALITION provides weekend meals for more than 1,000 students each week, serving more than 30 local public schools. Demand for in-school pantries has doubled this year, and LEF is looking for businesses or organizations to sponsor an elementary, middle, or high school to help them meet the need. Those interested in helping out can contact Backpack Coalition Coordinator kirslyn.schell-smith@lcps.org.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS. Loudoun Education Foundation partners with A Place to Be music therapy center, Inova Loudoun Hospital, and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to create a fun, interactive music therapy-type television program for second-graders in every Loudoun County public school.
CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT. PROPEL and Level Up is one program LEF supports that closes the “excellence gap” by strategically supporting students from low-socioeconomic communities. This after-school STEM program supports more than 300 students in 14 schools, with the goal of preparing them for rigorous coursework in high school and beyond.
FINALLY, LEF PROVIDES TEACHER SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT. Did you know that public school teachers spend an average of $750 on their own classroom supplies? Or that the cost of their education and certifications is several times their annual salaries? The Loudoun Education Foundation wants our educators to feel the love and have tangible support, in the form of classroom grants, continuing education scholarships, recognition for excellence, and enrichment opportunities. Despite being one of the fastest-growing public school districts over the last generation, LCPS regularly ranks among the best in Virginia and beyond.
