Pearson in the Community

For Pearson, the business of education also encompasses reaching out to others, supporting projects in our communities, and making a difference every day. In a brain-powered world, we believe that no job is more important than helping people to learn, and this is reflected by our choice of sponsorship activities.

Jumpstart. Pearson and Jumpstart share a passion for education and inspiring people to reach their full potential. These shared goals and values led Pearson focus its charitable giving efforts on the Pearson-Jumpstart partnership, created in 2001. Since then, Pearson has created and sponsored several initiatives to further the partnership and create more opportunities to support the development of young children.

National Teachers Hall of Fame. Pearson is a proud supporter of the National Teachers Hall of Fame, dedicated to recognizing and honoring the teaching profession. We join our friends at the Council of Great City Schools, the American Association of School Administrators, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Education Association, the National Middle School Association, the National School Boards Association, the National Parent Teachers Association and many others in endorsing the work of the National Teachers Hall of Fame and commend their commitment to promoting excellence in teaching.

Teams That Make A Difference Award. Sponsored by Pearson and the National Middle School Association, the Teams That Make A Difference Award identifies people who work to improve the education and well being of young adolescents. This annual program recognizes teams of teachers, administrators, parents, community members, or any combination of these individuals.

Pearson Foundation

Pearson has a proud history of supporting projects in out communities. The Pearson Foundation helps non-profit organizations around the world deliver books and literacy support to communities in need. We're sharing books we love; raising funds for literacy programs around the world; and helping the next generation of pre-school teachers give every child in America an equal chance to read, learn, and succeed.

Our literacy-focused partnerships including The Jumpstart Pearson Teacher Fellowship, Jumpstart's Read for the Record Campaign, and Family Book Nights.

Other programs include the Digital Arts Alliance - that helps our young people gain educational experiences that meet the challenges of our new century, innovative, scalable learning programs for schools such as BridgeIT and Project Exploration Science Teacher Institute.

Community Outreach Group
 
Pearson employees established the Community Outreach Group (COG) to raise funds and organize volunteer activities that benefit community organizations. Each year COG members select three beneficiary organizations. In 2008, the beneficiaries are:

• CAMP camp
• The San Antonio Food Bank
• Miracle Leauge of San Antonio

COG also sponsors several ongoing projects, including a mentoring program at Stahl Elementary School in the North East school district. Its latest initiative is an e-mail pen pal program with the Eduardo Villareal, Jr. Elementary School in the Northside school district.

Corporate Giving and Community Involvement

The company is proud to support many fine organizations throughout San Antonio and Bexar County. Some of these include the following:

• Riverwalk Children's Festival
  Sponsor, created over 350 cards to showcase day at the festival
• Children's Shelter of San Antonio
  Volunteer support and in-kind support (supplies)
• Communities In Schools
  Cash and in-kind support (school supplies, computers)
• Any Baby Can
  Participants in the Read for the Record program
• Northside ISD
  2007 Texas GOLD TAPE Award Winner for participation and support of the Book Blog and ePen Pal program at Villarreal Elementary School
• Northeast ISD
  Mentoring program participants
• United Way
  Pacesetter participant in the annual campaign
• Wounded Warrior Program
  Cash and in-kind support (personal hygiene supplies, calling cards, etc)