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	The Great American Teach-A-Thon is a public awareness campaign, a walk-a-thon with a twist, a networking opportunity, a team building exercise, and more… It’s a campaign. The Education Fund’s Great American Teach-A-Thon, now in its second year, is an exciting campaign. The goal is to educate the business community and others about the effect that teaching quality has on student achievement and what it takes to ensure quality teaching. It’s a walk-a-thon with a twist. The Great American Teach-A-Thon uses a walk-a-thon strategy with a twist. Instead of walking, running or climbing stairs, volunteers train for a “teaching day.” As part of the training process, participants learn the “Three Rs” that contribute to teaching quality: • Retain teachers -- Provide supportive programs for new teachers • Renew teachers -- Implement effective and innovative professional development • Reward teachers -- Recognize teacher success and the important role they play It’s a networking opportunity. Training is simple, fun and a great way to network with other professionals. Participants become Teacher Champions. They gain an understanding of what the community can do to improve teaching quality while learning how to create a lesson plan. Armed with this knowledge, Teacher Champions spread the message to colleagues and friends while seeking support for their teaching day. It’s a teaching day. The campaign culminates in a county-wide teaching day, when all Teacher Champions spend up to two hours teaching in their assigned classroom. That evening everyone enjoys a victory party where stories of success are shared by Teacher Champions and their teachers. It’s a team building exercise and a fun event. Last year, a total of 154 employees from 32 companies and organizations throughout South Florida volunteered. Several organizations used the event to create team building and connections between employees as most Teacher Champions teach in teams. One company invested its full support behind one employee, connecting all clients and vendors to a Website she created. Bankers taught kindergarteners about saving. Utility executives shared the real world implications of thunder strikes. Journalists explained the integrity of reporting. Students from kindergarten through 12th grade learned from the entire community. More importantly, our Teacher Champions learned the importance of supporting teachers to improve teaching quality. And, they spread the word. Whether sponsors pledged $1 or $100, each was touched by the message that teaching is one of the most important professions in our community. Join us for the 2006 Great American Teach-A-Thon! Whether you are interested in participating or want to make this opportunity available to your employees, we want you to join us. Complete an application online and we will contact you to get started.	Presenting sponsor: