Coaching4Change to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10)

Norton, MA (April 17, 2019) – Coaching4Change (C4C), a Taunton and Fall River-based, student-lead mentor program, will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6th – 10th) by planning for its annual gala to be held in September at Stonehill College. According to C4C Founder and CEO Marquis Taylor, “This important week is the perfect time to start planning for our annual gala and fundraiser in September – including which great teachers and mentors we will honor with awards at this distinguished event.”

C4C was established in 2010 with a mission to implement teacher-led school improvement initiatives to support struggling middle school students while simultaneously inspiring a more diverse pool of students to pursue a rewarding career in education. “We partner with struggling school districts to train teachers to become after-school instructional coaches for a group of local high school and college students,” Taylor explains. “We then match middle school students with these mentors who lead academic sessions and structured physical activity to complement school-day learning and support existing school initiatives.”

Over the last four years, C4C’s initiatives have reduced disciplinary referrals by 88% while improving student attendance (83%), math aptitude (76%) and reading and literacy (70%) significantly in the school districts where they have programs established. “This not only showcases the important role teachers play in their students’ journey to success but the value of students learning from mentors they can relate to,” Taylor said. “This is why we involve students in the education and motivation of other students throughout southeastern Massachusetts.”

This is also why C4C celebrates teachers and their valuable role in shaping today’s youth each September at its Annual Gala and Fundraiser. Last year, C4C presented two outstanding teachers with the 2019 Lifetime Coaching Award at its Gala: Julie Hackett, Taunton’s Superintendent of Schools and Louis Ricciardi, Professor of Business at Bridgewater State University. “Both educators demonstrate an immense passion and dedication for teaching and have contributed to the growth and development of many students attaining successful careers,” Taylor said.

C4C is currently welcoming nominations of deserving educators for this year’s awards. “Our awards are presented to incredible individuals in education who show dedication that goes beyond the classroom by motivating students to succeed now so they can attain their career goals for the future,” Taylor said. These remarkable teachers will be honored at the 3rd Annual Gala at a date to be determined in September. This Gala is also C4C’s largest fundraising event and includes dinner, raffles and a live auction featuring concert, vacation, and sporting ticket packages, all valued at thousands of dollars each. All the proceeds from the Gala go towards program costs for student training and professional development. Sponsor packages and individual donations are available, and tickets will be able to be purchased at www.c4cinc.org/gala.

Coaching 4 Change is a Taunton and Fall River-based organization founded in 2010 as a student-lead mentor program for struggling middle-school students. C4C’s mission is "to implement teacher-led school improvement initiatives to support struggling students while creating a more diverse pool of future educators.” This mission is attained by using physical activity and project-based learning to build students’ team-work skills and improve classroom grades. For more information go to: www.c4cinc.org, call or text (617) 921-7970, or connect with C4C on Facebook: @Coaching4Change, Twitter: @c4cboston, or Instagram: @coaching4change.