Partnering to Give Forward
Leaders Education Foundation believes in empowering our community for good. We partner with area nonprofits who provide educational initiatives that give forward to students and teachers throughout West Tennessee.
The READ Team
A Program of United Way of West TN
The READ Team began in 2014 and currently serves in six Jackson-Madison County schools: Alexander, Andrew Jackson, Arlington, Isaac Lane, Lincoln, and Rose Hill. The program pairs volunteer coaches with second grade students to help improve their sight word recognition. By volunteering just one hour each week from September to April, coaches can make a measurable impact on the lives of our students. On average, students participating in the The READ Team increase their sight word recognition by 290% in just one school year.
Other program service opportunities include driving the WOW Wagon (one of our mobile libraries) within the community and donating books.
WestTeach
WestTeach is the premier leadership development program for teachers in the 21 counties of West Tennessee. The program topics expose teachers to relevant and influential issues that can shape and reshape the classroom engagement for their students. Teachers are challenged and equipped to translate their WestTeach experiences into transformational opportunities for their students. The WestTeach mission is to engage and equip West Tennessee teachers with tools and leadership skills for success in and outside the classroom.
Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship
Understanding Community | Launching Ideas | Buildings Networks
The Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship provides a structured program to help young leaders identify and address issues they care about. We provide coaching, introduce experts and offer a forum for Fellows to deliver solutions to other community leaders.
Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income. In 2022, two million books were mailed each month globally! Leaders Education Foundation has supported the efforts of chapters in Madison, Gibson and Haywood counties.
The Greater Jackson Chamber
Education Sponsor
The Greater Jackson Chamber works closely with the Jackson-Madison County School System, as well as other educational institutions in the West TN area, to advocate for policies and initiatives geared toward helping students prepare for post-secondary education and an eventual career. The Chamber works to engage the community in education and create opportunities for business leaders to get involved. The Leaders Education Foundation is the chamber's education sponsor and the programs supported include The Education Connection, Pathways2Possibilities, annual Education Breakfast, Manufacturing Day, and professional development days for local schools.
Story Book Trail Projects
The Foundation has supported two story book trail projects. In 2025, a story book trail was completed in Huntingdon, TN by JAG students at Huntingdon High School (pictured).
In 2026, a story book trail was completed by the Leadership Jackson Class of 2025 at Centennial Park in East Jackson.
In 2018, Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF)launched the Storybook Trail program by partnering with Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, city parks and outdoor areas to provide a children’s storybook, presented on child-height panels, along a short trail to promote adult-child interaction around books and nature.
Jackson Arts Council
The Jackson Art Box provides students in the Jackson Madison County School System with free art supplies to use as tools for creativity and expression.
JMCSS school counselors receive professional development training and a packet of art activities from an art therapist as an extra resource to help students express themselves. Leaders Education Foundation was instrumental in making this program possible.
FutureStar Summit
A program of WestStar
The FutureStar Summit is a leadership program designed for West Tennessee’s potential leaders held at the University of Tennessee at Martin. The one-day summit is hosted for two 8th graders from each school system in West Tennessee. The program encourages those who “need the extra push” to reach their potential. The hope is that this experience will plant a “seed” in the students that would help them understand the personal value of an education and would spark an interest in them that may not have had before.
Ballet Arts
Leaders Education Foundation is the School Performance Sponsor for Ballet Arts of Jackson’s season, allowing hundreds of children from school districts across West Tennessee to experience a live ballet performance.
“With the sponsorship of Leaders Education Foundation, we are able to reach more kids in our community, giving them the opportunity to learn about the art of ballet,” Caroline Meinert, Artistic Director of Ballet Arts said.
Boys & Girls Club
Hatchie River Region
The Workforce Warriors program gives children and our community a much-needed boost in workforce readiness. In partnership with all major area employers, The Boys & Girls Club will provide their Club Kids with:
- Exposure- Tours of the area employers' facilities and meeting with leaders.
- Impact- Financial Literacy training with real-life scenarios hosted by Leaders Credit Union.
- Access- Showcasing workforce opportunities through TCAT Northwest—Covington, Ripley, and Stanton.
Dreamers and Makers
Dreamers and Makers is a nonprofit art-centered afterschool program committed to empowering youth from underserved communities through the transformative and uplifting power of visual and culinary arts.
What impact can you
make?
The gift you make today will have a lasting impression on the future of a student.
