SVEF adopts Teacher Support Network

The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation (SVEF), an organization established in 1993, is currently renewing its commitment to Sonoma Valley public schools and students. The Teacher Support Network (TSN), whose genesis in 2006 was from two local discussion groups, SPIN and SALON, is growing in capacity and numbers, so the two groups came together to see if there was a natural connection.
Last month, the organizers of TSN approached SVEF seeking to come under the auspices of the foundation. TSN, as an all-volunteer group governed by a steering committee, recognized the need to establish a broader structure in order to adequately sustain their efforts and generate funds to satisfy their operating budget. SVEF was a logical choice.
Teacher Support Network grew from a group with an interest in better understanding the issues facing our schools and a desire to learn what community members could do to support their mission.
The purpose of TSN is to assist teachers in the classroom and expand educational opportunities for students at Sonoma Valley High School by utilizing community resources, expertise and knowledge.
During the course of its existence, SVEF has supported music, technology and art and has funded special needs, such as start-up funds for the Mentoring Program at Sassarini Elementary School. Nearly $3 million has been raised through various means over the past 15 years to support education in Sonoma Valley public schools. But the foundation is looking to do more and is focusing its vision on programs.
“Teacher Support Network is the perfect opportunity for the board of directors to put its new vision into practice,” said SVEF board president Kevin Jaggie.
TSN has grown dramatically since the fall semester of 2006, under the leadership of present program coordinator and former steering committee president Lynn Wirick Ross and the founding members who make up the steering committee: Michael George (president), Les Vadasz, Tim Boeve, Steve and Holly Kyle and Henry Grause.
In addition to supporting teachers in the classroom, the TSN volunteers, by virtue of their educational accomplishments and professional careers, provide role models for high school students.
To inquire about volunteering with TSN call Lynn Wirick Ross at 707.996.4135; to learn more about SVEF or to get involved, call Fran Meininger at 707.935.9566.