Birmingham education will reach new heights thanks to this initiative

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What is the best way to improve the future of our Birmingham community? Many say it is to invest in our school system. That’s the mission of Birmingham Ed, a local nonprofit increasing the number of students in Birmingham City Schools who are on the path to academic excellence and readiness for adulthood. Read on for a closer look and how you can help.

Putting Birmingham City Schools students + families first 

What makes an education system thrive? If you ask Birmingham Ed, it’s direct engagement with students and their families and communities, asking important questions and finding answers. 

Since 2007, Birmingham Ed has given a voice to those experiencing challenges every day. The goal? To increase the number of students in Birmingham City Schools who are on the path to academic excellence and life readiness.

“Students in Birmingham deserve innovative, enriching, comprehensive educational experiences. Ed is committed to supporting these efforts to produce global citizens that are college and/or career-ready.”

Dr. Ashley Samuels, Executive Director, Birmingham Education Foundation

Help Birmingham Education Foundation continue its positive impact on students + families of Birmingham City Schools—give today.

Birmingham Ed’s initiative is creating important changes

Birmingham Ed’s biggest initiative to date is its Education Innovative Initiative (EII). Kicking off with the 2023-24 school year, EII features a wraparound service model that aligns with the specific needs of school communities. Hayes K-8, located on 43rd Street North in Birmingham was selected as EII’s Pilot School—the first of many to come to receive Ed’s services.

Here are the services Birmingham City Schools receive through Birmingham Ed:

• Student access to enrichment + holistic wraparound services.
• The opportunity to connect with Ed’s Community Connector Network, which connects students + families with providers to address barriers to health, wellness and/or academic performance.
• Integration of Ed’s current programs that connect families across Birmingham with vital resources. 

Jason Badoud has been teaching for 12 years, having taught in the public, private, alternative and institutional education settings in every major city of Alabama. 

Over the past three years, he has taught 8th Grade World History at Hayes K-8, seeing first-hand the huge impact Birmingham Ed has had on students, families and the community. 

“I am continually in awe of the pure dedication the Birmingham Ed team displays. These are individuals with a true passion for bettering our school and community. 

Birmingham Ed has provided a lifeline to our school and community.” 

Jason Badoud, teacher, Hayes K-8

Badoud filled us in on a multitude of ways Birmingham Ed has proved vital to the success of Hayes K-8. Here’s a look:

• It’s given parents an active voice through a new PTA and Ed Network Nights. 
• It’s provided parents with valuable resources to address issues such as:
  • Food insecurity
  • Housing/rent assistance
  • Closing the digital divide
  • Language barriers
  • Understanding student curriculum

Celebrating Birmingham Ed in 2024

Looking ahead to 2024, Birmingham Ed has big plans to continue creating important changes for Birmingham City Schools and the students, families and communities it serves. 

Here are three main goals the organization hopes to accomplish:

1. Wrapping up the first year of implementation of the Education Innovation Initiative Pilot School: Through an in-school Community Connector, Birmingham Ed has developed a system for receiving student, family + teacher requests for support.

2. Expanding the work: Birmingham Ed will identify other Birmingham City Schools to collaborate with as Education Innovation schools. The level of support will be determined by the needs of the school. 

3. 16 years of Birmingham Ed: Birmingham Ed turns sweet 16 next year! Plans are already underway to celebrate the milestone in a big way.  

To support your Birmingham Education Foundation and its positive impact on students and families of Birmingham City Schools, give now. 

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