Fund A Need
MPA Center for Inclusive Teaching & Learning
As we strive to enhance our students' educational experiences, we recognize our community's diverse needs and aspirations. To address these needs effectively, MPA is excited to announce that this year's Fund A Need will create the programmatic Center for Inclusive Teaching & Learning to bolster various aspects of our educational program. Your support will enable us to provide essential resources and opportunities across several critical areas of need. The Center for Inclusive Teaching & Learning embodies what we do best —individualized, whole-child educational experiences for all students —and empowers us to do it even better.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the mental health and academic performance of students worldwide, including in the United States and Minnesota. According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among high school students in the U.S. increased by 31% during the pandemic. In Minnesota specifically, data from the Minnesota Department of Education reveals that students experienced an average learning loss of approximately 12% in math and reading proficiency due to disruptions caused by the pandemic. At MPA, the number of students with learning support plans has grown by 10% in the last two years. These statistics underscore the urgent need to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of students as schools work to recover and rebuild in the post-pandemic era. Thanks to the latest in brain science research and the expertise of our phenomenal faculty and staff, MPA is creating the Center for Inclusive Teaching & Learning to support all learners, and our entire community.
Total Need: $400,000
Professional Development: Elevating Teaching Excellence
Our dedicated teachers are committed to honing their craft and becoming even better educators for all our students. Your contributions will facilitate targeted professional development programs, empowering our educators with the latest methodologies and strategies to meet the diverse learning needs in their classrooms. Through workshops, peer collaborations, and ongoing training, teachers will be equipped to create even more dynamic and inclusive learning environments including multi-sensory teaching, scaffolding and differentiation, and other strategies that foster growth and success for every student.
Community Education: Engaging Families and Caregivers
At Mounds Park Academy, we recognize the importance of involving families and caregivers in our educational endeavors. Your support will enable us to organize community education workshops, parent groups, and informational sessions that provide valuable resources and insights to support student learning and well-being at home and school. By fostering stronger partnerships between educators and families, we can create a cohesive support network that nurtures the holistic development of our students and strengthens the wisdom and contributions of our parents in partnership.
Classroom Furniture and Design: Creating Dynamic Learning Spaces
Our classrooms are the heart of the learning experience, and we aim to optimize these spaces to facilitate engaging and effective instruction. Your contributions will allow us to invest in flexible and responsive classroom design that supports various learning modalities, including designated centers and areas that promote exploration, collaboration, independent learning, self-regulation, and sensory integration. By reorganizing our spaces in clear and intentional ways, we can create environments that inspire curiosity, creativity, and optimal learning for all of our students.
Tools for Kids: Enhancing Learning Opportunities
Access to tools and resources is essential for empowering students to reach their full potential. Your support will enable us to invest in more innovative educational tools that enhance learning experiences inside and outside the classroom. Additionally, your contributions will facilitate access to additional speech, language, and tutoring support at school at a reduced cost, ensuring that all students receive the individualized assistance they need to succeed academically and socially.
Instructional Coaching: Supporting Student Success
Effective instructional coaching for teachers is pivotal in supporting student success and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Your contributions will facilitate professional learning communities (PLCs), teacher coaching sessions, and instructional support that will develop skills and practices that address a range of needs, including pedagogy and expertise in supporting students. This work will specifically address students who are neurodivergent, students who would benefit from increased academic challenge, and students who need to enhance their social and emotional skills. Additionally, your support will enable us to broaden our ability to provide accommodations and learning support for students, ensuring that all students have equitable access to the resources and support they need to thrive. Current MPA learning support staff and counselors will be reorganized within the Center for Inclusive Teacher & Learning alongside a newly created Instructional Coach & Advocate to ensure students, families, and teachers have the support they need across all three divisions.
Your generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and educators. Together, we can create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all learners are empowered to succeed and a model for independent college prep schools around the country. Join us to empower and prepare every teacher to meet the needs of every student through comprehensive academic, social, and emotional support. Please donate today and be a part of our collective effort to bolster our ability to inspire and equip every MPA student to dream big and do right.
