Teaching and learning across the lifespan are critical to the well-being of all people, particularly as 21st century demands require a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. MetLife and MetLife Foundation demonstrate longstanding commitment to strengthening the quality of education by supporting activities initiatives that:
- develop the leadership skills of principals, teachers and students;
- promote access and opportunity to schooling, including a focus on diversity and inclusion;
- create connections between schools and communities to encourage shared understandings; and
- foster supportive relationships between educators and students through mentoring.
Education is the cornerstone of all Foundation programs because it brings together diverse groups, sparks creativity, promotes economic freedom, and inspires a lifetime of knowledge acquisition. These ideals are pivotal to all of our initiatives across all of our program areas.
The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher brings the views and voices of those closest to the classroom to the attention of education leaders and the public. Conducted by Harris Interactive annually since 1984, the Survey examines issues and trends affecting the nation's K-12 schools. In fact, many programs in education supported by MetLife Foundation address survey findings.
Examples of MetLife Foundation Education programs include:
Leadership Development
Strong leadership promotes teacher recruitment and retention, student engagement, parent and community involvement, and ongoing professional development that establishes and builds upon lessons learned. MetLife Foundation provides support for the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future (NCTAF) to examine the needs of 21st century students and the implications for teacher preparation, the ongoing development of career teachers and the conditions necessary for strong schools. NCTAF identifies and shares examples of good practices and promotes changes necessary to make successful classrooms and schools the norm, not the exception.
School and Community Connections
Student achievement hinges upon what takes place both in and out of the classroom setting, so it is critical that educators understand the communities in which their schools are located. Equally as important are parents’ and stakeholders’ involvement in public education to make certain school life and home life are connected rather than isolated from one another. The Sharing the Dream Project sponsored by the Foundation with the National Association of Elementary School Principals enables elementary and middle school principals to implement innovative partnerships to more closely engage teachers, students, parents and communities as partners. MetLife Foundation also supports the Breakthrough Schools initiative with the National Association of Secondary School Principals to recognize significant growth in student achievement in schools that serve large numbers of disadvantaged students. In addition, the National Civic League has administered the MetLife Foundation Ambassadors in Education Awards since 2003 to recognize educators who are exceptional leaders in connecting school and community. The annual awards are based on community nominations from 25 cities around the country and recognize teachers and principals in alternating years.
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Access and Opportunity
MetLife Foundation demonstrates its commitment to diversity and inclusion through partnerships with organizations that advocate educational equity and excellence for everyone. Race, ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic status should not be considered impediments to accomplishment, but embraced as characteristics that make each individual unique.
Mentoring
The Foundation supports programs that partner people and organizations to discuss best practices and lessons learned. College for Every Student administers the MetLife Foundation Peer Mentoring Program to support more than 1,000 new secondary school students’ transition into grades 6 and 9 by pairing them with older peers. The Foundation supports the New Teacher Center at the University of California at Santa Cruz to address the growing teacher shortage by sharing its innovative model for mentoring of new teachers and by building a national network of school districts committed to developing and implementing best practices for new teacher induction. The Foundation also supports New Leaders for New Schools to partner with districts across the nation to identify and develop new cadres of skilled principals and build local capacity to continue the work.
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Community Colleges
High dropout rates and low college enrollment among underrepresented populations both result in economic and social costs for state and federal budgets. Moreover, they create challenges for the development of a skilled workforce. To address these concerns, MetLife supports community colleges dedicated to fostering the academic accomplishments of all students. Jobs for the Future administers the MetLife Foundation Community College Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding two-year institutions that exhibit model student support services and innovative approaches to encourage academic success. Winning institutions receive $30,000 to further implement best practices.
Scholarships
The Foundation administers the MetLife Foundation Pathways Scholarship Program for the children of associates who plan to pursue higher education, as well as supports scholarships for them through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Both programs celebrate academic achievement and a commitment to service. MetLife Foundation also supports established scholarship programs that afford minority students the opportunity for college studies, such as the United Negro College Fund, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, the American Indian College Fund and the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
Photo courtesy of: Teachers Network
