When CORE Construction, the construction manager for the new Campus Student Center and Atala Residence Hall that opened at USF Sarasota-Manatee this fall, let university officials know it was looking for ways to philanthropically support local public schools, Cheryl Ellerbrock, campus dean for the College of Education, immediately knew how the company could help.
CORE, Ellerbrock proposed, could make a long-term investment in the School District of Manatee County by funding a Grow Your Own Teacher Leader (GYOTL) Academy. Through the program, which started this fall, teachers at five Manatee County public schools are taking classes on leadership, professional development, coaching and teacher research to develop the knowledge and skills to be become mentors for other teachers and leaders at their schools and to foster improved student performance. They also have the chance to address challenges their campuses might be facing through class projects.
The goal, Ellerbrock said, “is to empower them to be teacher-leaders.”
Ellerbrock and other USF officials applauded CORE Construction for its partnership and support, saying the company’s generosity and vision will make a difference for teachers, elementary students, fellow educators and families in Manatee County. CORE, whose local office is in University Park in Manatee County, sees GYOTL as a chance to give back to the community by going “beyond building.”
“It’s easy to be asked to help, maybe to write a check or maybe to show up and lend a hand for something. But what we wanted to do was to leave even a greater impact by helping USF grow the number of highly qualified teachers in the School District of Manatee County,” said Scott Olthoff, Florida president for CORE Construction. “We are confident that USF Sarasota-Manatee and the College of Education will help us do that.”
CORE agreed to provide $42,000, which will cover the full tuition for the first two semesters for the entire 15-student cohort. The company also hosted a benefit golf tournament for the GYOTL program in September that raised an additional $56,000, meaning the program will be largely funded in its inaugural year.
Ellerbrock said the company has been a wonderful collaborator. “CORE listened to what we needed and paved the way. They are really a responsive partner,” Ellerbrock said. “They see the long-term picture. They see the benefit of keeping great teachers in our schools.”
The GYOTL Academy is designed to do just that.
Our employees live here, our kids go to school here, and we want to make sure that they're getting the best education from the most qualified teachers and leadership.
Jason Mitchell, CORE
Jennifer Jacobs, the director of clinical education in the College of Education, said teacher leadership is about influencing and supporting students, teachers and families, in and out of the classroom. Training teachers to become better leaders “often leads to teacher empowerment, vital for retaining talented educators,” she said.
“A principal cannot manage everything alone, and teacher leaders play a crucial role in school improvement through distributed leadership,” Jacobs said. “Teachers want to have a voice and agency within their profession and school.”
Teachers in the GYOTL program can apply the four-semester, 12-credit-hour graduate certificate they earn toward a master’s degree from the College of Education.
The School District of Manatee is grateful for the “incredible partnership” with the College of Education and with CORE Construction, said Kevin Chapman, chief of staff for the school district.
“The College of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee, led by Dr. Ellerbrock and her team, is producing the best teachers for our students, and with the help of CORE and the GYOTL program, now we can retain these great teachers in Manatee County by providing first class leadership, professional development and coaching locally for them,” Chapman said.
CORE’s support of public education dovetails with the company’s specialty in building and renovating school facilities.
Jason Mitchell, CORE’s vice president for client services, said the company appreciates the challenges caused by chronic shortages of qualified teachers. CORE faces similar hurdles in trying to find enough workers for its construction sites, he said.
“With our office being right here on the Sarasota-Manatee county line, we're invested in this community,” Mitchell said. “Our employees live here, our kids go to school here, and we want to make sure that they're getting the best education from the most qualified teachers and leadership. And so that's why we're invested into a program like this.”
Brett Kemker, vice provost and regional vice chancellor of academic affairs and student success at USF Sarasota-Manatee, said the university is pleased the relationship it has forged with CORE Construction has gone well beyond the new student center and residence hall and into the larger community.
“CORE is setting an outstanding example for other potential partnerships between businesses
and USF that will bring value to both teaching and learning in local school districts,”
Kemker said. “CORE is proving to be instrumental in helping the College of Education
accomplish a key part of
its mission.”
Another local supporter of the GYOTL program is the Manatee Community Foundation,
which donated $7,500 through its Francis E. and Gaile A. McCracken Education Scholarship
Fund, which supports those who want to become educators.
“Manatee Community Foundation is excited to invest in the future of our community
through the GYTOL program our friends at USF so thoughtfully crafted in partnership
with the Manatee County School District,” said Chief Executive Officer Veronica Thames.
Supporting the GYOTL program builds on CORE Construction’s prior relationships with USF. Mitchell sits on the executive advisory council for the Muma College of Business at USF Sarasota-Manatee; the company is a sponsor of the annual HospitaBull fundraising dinner for the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management; and Olthoff is co-chair and sponsor of Brunch on the Bay, which supports student scholarships and campus initiatives, on March 2.
CORE also donated $200,000 to USF to name the “CORE Construction Ballroom Lobby” in the new student center after the company. It was the first naming gift for the building.
“CORE has a been a wonderful partner for USF and for our campus,” said USF Sarasota-Manatee Regional Chancellor Karen Holbrook. “The new building is beautiful but just as impressive is how they are helping the College of Education address a pressing need in our community with their generous support of the GYOTL program. Their leadership is truly inspiring.”