by on Key Milestones from the Past 25 Years of Dr. Evans’s Leadership
September 1, 2024
NetDay AmeriCorps Bridge
With a focus on closing the digital access, use and design divides, we trained 2,252 teachers on effective tech use in the classroom from 2000 – 2004 impacting the lives of 25,320 K-12 students in Detroit, MI; Oakland, CA; Santa Ana, CA; and Mercedes, TX. As a result of partnerships with the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and Apple, we provided 4,782 computers for student and teacher classroom usage within these challenged communities.
Technology Enhances Student Success Program
Our Mississippi Delta teacher mentoring program was a first for job-embedded coaching around technology integration in the classroom and included the implementation of a community tech lab supported by a national foundation. The results of this innovative approach, with 100 teachers in 2003 influenced follow on professional learning programs from Project Tomorrow.
Social-Emotional Learning for Early Learners
Understanding the concerns about elementary students’ social and emotional health during the pandemic, in collaboration with key partners, we provided 50 underserved elementary schools in Los Angeles County with highly interactive and engaging SEL curriculum to use at no cost with their early learners. Over 5,500 students preK through Grade 5 benefited from this collaboration.
NetDay Compass
An early example of the power of crowdsourcing, our 2001 website enabled classroom teachers to provide firsthand feedback and ratings on the digital tools and resources used in instruction allowing other teachers to benefit from their experiences..
YouthTEACH2Learn Program
With uncanny foresight to see future teacher shortages, our innovative program introduced high school students to teaching as a career with a full year curriculum and field teaching experiences around math and science. The program was replicated throughout California in partnership with the Cal State University system and the national Educators Rising organization. Over 10,000 high school students explored teaching as a career through this program.
Youth Leadership Summits
Another new model from Project Tomorrow that focused on putting students in charge of their own career exploration and learning experiences. Hosted in several communities in collaboration with key regional partners, the program included day-long workshops as well as company visits and meetings with STEM professionals – all driven by the students themselves.
Speak Up Research Project
Since 2003, our landmark research initiative has dramatically changed how K-12 educators and leaders think about the value of stakeholder feedback – and how to use that feedback to inform their local decisions about education. Now in its 21st year, Speak Up in collaboration with our sponsors and partners continues to provide value to K-12 districts as well as business, policy and research organizations interested in the latest trends in ed tech and new learning model implementation. Over 6.2 million K-12 stakeholders have submitted a Speak Up survey, adding their critical voice to local, state and national discussions about the future of education. The key partners in this work are the thousands of K-12 Project Tomorrow Districts who sincerely value stakeholder voice.
Computational Thinking Integration Projects
Based on understanding that preparing students for future success means ensuring that all students regardless of community or family background are good problem solvers. Since 2000, we have provided teachers in New York and Michigan with professional learning and ongoing coaching and mentoring to support the integration of computational thinking concepts and strategies within everyday instruction. Utilizing learnings and tools developed through an NSF grant, we are pioneering the concept of personalized professional learning plans for teachers based upon an understanding of their readiness for innovation. The partners in this work include foundations, state departments of education and K-12 districts, all who share a goal of ensuring equity of education experiences.
