The Auburn Education Foundation's (AEF) mission is to provide for innovative programs that enhance the quality of education through extended learning opportunities within the Auburn Enlarged City School District. This includes the five elementary, two middle and one high school buildings that make up our district.

Through a competitive grants process, we award funding to educators who have creative ideas that will capture the attention, imagination and motivation of their students. Projects must fall within at least one of the following areas: academics (any content area), arts, character education, life skills, health & wellness or technology. AEF is a non-profit organization that supports enrichment programming in the Auburn schools; our grants will not cover any expense that are or should be paid for under the regular district budget. Any educator in the district may apply. An educator may be a teacher, counselor, school support staff or administrator or volunteer.

The success of our projects really lies with the educators who apply for our grants. We are very fortunate to have so many talented, enthusiastic and creative professionals working in our district. Megan Popkess and Lisa Spencer are two fine examples of how our teachers go above and beyond their job descriptions to make a difference in our students' lives. In fact, you can see how creative they are and how much they enjoy teaching from their class page on the school Web site. Both may be found on the West Middle faculty page at west.auburn.cnyric.org/teachers. Popkess teaches sixth-grade English language arts and social studies. Spencer is a seventh-grade science teacher.

Popkess and Spencer received an educator grant they titled “Team Challenge For Girls.” Their project concept came from their discussions about how they could help girls ease the transition from elementary into middle school and provide them support throughout their time at West.

“It is so important that girls develop self-confidence, problem solving, teamwork and communication skills as they begin to face the challenges that come with being a teenager,” Popkess said.

Both Popkess and Spencer have adventurous backgrounds that inspired this project. Before beginning her teaching career, Popkess worked as a camp counselor in the Adirondack Mountains. She taught an eclectic combination of wilderness camping skills, water-skiing and public performance.

“I saw young people surprise themselves by doing things they never thought they could,” she said. “By challenging themselves and succeeding, my students developed self-confidence and learned how to take healthy risks.”

Twenty sixth-grade girls from West Middle School took up this pair's challenge when the year-long program kicked off last weekend at the Cayuga Nature Center. The team spent the day practicing team building, trust and communication skills as they worked their way through the Cayuga Nature Center's Ropes Course. A “ropes course” is a series of elements or challenges, usually obstacle courses or problem solving games, designed to test personal traits and build teamwork skills. Team challenge courses focus on breaking down barriers and reducing inhibitions through controlled risk elements. For example, an obstacle course does not just test agility, balance or flexibility. Each individual must confront fears of falling, failure, losing control or even looking funny in front of their peers. Teamwork and trust is simulated by members of the team taking on helping or spotting roles throughout the course.

The group will continue to meet after-school throughout the school year. They will continue to build on the teamwork and personal development goals set during last weekend's Team Challenge. Each young lady has received a journal in which they can write about their experiences with this group and their own middle school experience.

The Auburn Education Foundation is very proud to support initiatives such as the Team Challenge For Girls. Please join us in thanking Popkess and Spencer for the valuable work that they do. You may e-mail your comments to me at annette_abdelaziz@auburn.cnyric.org , and I will be sure to pass them along.

In other news:

Parents, don't forget to attend your children's school open house or curriculum night. I would encourage each of you to also get involved with your school's Parent-Teacher Organization. Joining these meetings is a great way to get involved with your child's education and meet other parents in the district. These groups take on some fantastic projects throughout the school year all for the benefit of our children. Meeting information is available on the district Web site at district.auburn.cnyric.org or by calling your child#'s school office.

Annette Abdelaziz is the executive director of the Auburn Education Foundation. Contact her at annette_abdelaziz@auburn.cnyric.org or call 255-8827.