Pencil, founded in 1995, builds and supports relationships between business leaders and principals to transform NYC public schools through innovative methods. By uniting the best leaders and practices across sectors, and by involving teachers, parents and community leaders in the process, Pencil is enhancing the learning environment, building school spirit and elevating student performance.
The Pencil Partnership Program works by:
1. Getting business leaders to donate their time and empowering to develop a relationship with the school they have been matched up with. Care is taken to match up schools with the unique talents and background of each partner.
2. Providing resources and tools such as orientations, workshops, technical support and strategic planning assistance and supporting long term relationships with schools.
3. Allowing partners a choice to support schools in a variety of areas. The three main groupings of help are, Developing Strong Leaders, Building School Capacity and Enhancing the Learning Experience.
In addition to the partnership program, there is also a Pencil Fellow Program which provides internships to successful, career-minded, juniors and seniors in the New York City public school system. Last year, 122 interns were placed and they all successfully completed the program. Through this mentoring program, students gain new skills, perspectives, and a context for their education.
I recently attended a Pencil recruitment party and was blown away by the enthusiasm and commitment of the current Pencil partners and staff. You could not be in that room and then not offer to help out. The partners seemed to get just as much out of the relationship as the schools and students.
If you are interested in partnering with Pencil, or work for a school that would like to be matched through Pencil, go to the Pencil website or call 646-638-0565. You won't regret it.
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