Blue Springs, Miss. (Pontotoc Progress) – Last week, Toyota Mississippi announced that the Toyota USA Foundation has given $5.8 million grant, some of which will be awarded to the Pontotoc City School District. Dubbed as a Driving Possibilities grant, it will be distributed to Lee County School District, Pontotoc City School District, and the University of Mississippi to focus on the most immediate areas identified by leaders in each school. Pontotoc City School District identified their focus area to be the districts English-language learner program, which includes equipment, programing and personnel support as well as the STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics] program .

Featured speaker for the day was Mississippi’s Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann. “For Toyota to realize they want to have an educated workforce is phenomenal. Not just a work force for them, but an educated workforce in general.

“When people are working they are better citizens. They buy a house and are involved in the community,” Hosemann said.

“They [Toyota] are building part of our culture. That will multiply many times in the lives of those individuals. They are educating our future.”

Pontotoc City School Supt. Phil Webb said this day was a giant leap forward for students.

“This moment represents a significant milestone for our district.”

Supt. Webb said that the grant will be awarded over the next five years.

“This generous investment is not just a financial gift; it’s a statement of faith in the future of our students, our schools, and our community.”

Webb went on to say that this will be a huge step forward in preparing students for the future.

“This grant will allow us to expand and enrich STEM education, positioning Pontotoc as a leader in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is a testament to what we can accomplish when industry, higher education, and public schools come together for a common goal—creating pathways of opportunity for the next generation.

“In addition to our commitment to STEM, this grant will support the creation and expansion of our newcomer program, which is designed to meet the needs of students who are new to our community, including those from diverse and multilingual backgrounds. We know that education is not a one-size-fits-all model, and this program will help us provide targeted support to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has the tools they need to succeed. This initiative will not only help students feel welcomed and supported, but it will also enrich our entire district as we build a more inclusive learning environment.

“This partnership with Toyota and our district is about building more than just academic success; it’s about building futures. It’s about showing our students that their dreams are not only valid but attainable. It’s about investing in the potential that exists in every child in our district and helping them realize that potential.”

Webb characterized this grant as a game-changer for the students. “This is for you. We believe in you, and we are here to make sure you have every opportunity to succeed in this ever-changing world.”

He also recognized that the game changing grant will help the teachers, staff and administrators in each of the school districts. “I know you will rise to the occasion, as you always do; it is your hard work and dedication that will turn this opportunity into reality for our students.”

Jenny Savely is the Driving Possibilities Project Manager for Pontotoc City School District. She is employed through CREATE and the project will be overseen collaboratively by CREATE and Toyota.

““I cannot understate how valuable this program is,” said Jenny Savely, Driving Possibilities project manager—Pontotoc City. “This empowers driven and qualified educators to define district goals through a holistic understanding of student and community needs. Education is a public good that directly impacts all member of our community. Toyota continues to invest in this community, and I’m fortunate to be part of their example to support our educators as they address barriers to learning essential skills that will define our region’s future.”

“The end goal is to change the culture and landscape of education in Toyota’s operating communities and bring equal access to our students and educators while removing barriers to learning,” said Tiffanie Hedin, manager of Corporate Communications with Toyota Mississippi.

“Toyota believes all children deserve equal access to opportunities and a pathway to high-growth, no matter their background—and the future of companies like ours depends on it. We know working to change the landscape of education in our region will be challenging, but with strong partnerships and opportunities for collaboration we know this program will inspire others to join us in this mission,” she explained.

Hedin said that the Driving Possibilities is designed to put the student at the center while also building up the entire ecosystem of education, which includes teachers and support staff.

“Through this program, both students and educators benefit by providing essential resources and tools unique to each school, student and teacher’s specific needs and provide the opportunities for development, essential resources and tools, support and basic needs, as well as innovative STEM and hands-on learning programs.”

“Driving Possibilities is a unique initiative that brings together educators, local and national nonprofits, industry, and communities for a common goal—our students and their success,” said Aaron Foster, VP of manufacturing for Toyota Mississippi. “But, it’s so much more than that. It’s time, thought leadership, collaboration, and financial investments for a way to build stronger relationships and collective support of education in our communities. We want to bring support and encourage a team-based approach to education where we all play a role to help grow the world around us and the people in it, because we all have a stake in this.”

View Original Story (Sept. 24, 2024)