My great grandson met Mrs. Heller at the 2019 Literacy festival at the Johnson Library. She spoke to him with such kindness and motivating words. He said 'I want to go to her program'. I went home, collected needed funds from the family and enrolled him. He was going to 4th grade. His grades improved, his personality started showing and he became more confident. (In 3rd grade, the Pinellas County School System said he had a learning disability. He was just easily distracted ) He made the Honor roll for the first time. He is still with the SPPF Master Kids program. He is in 6th grade at Bay Point Middle School. He made 7 A's and one (1) B on his first report card. I just hope that he can maintain that momentum. His Mom, my granddaughter was an honor student. He was featured on Bay News 9 when they showed the Mastr Kids interviews.
I have been a Board member for five years and I've watched it grow into an amazing organization. The students of the SPPF have experienced large gains in closing the achievement gap overall in learning. Not only have the students academic achievement been addressed but their social emotional well being and sense of belonging also; which are some of the foundational elements to learning. I am proud to be apart of an organization who providers this level of education, care, and concern for the students they serve.
The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation’s after-school and summer programs focus on a “literacy plus STEAM” curriculum to help close the educational gap of students in the community. It uses data to improve outcomes. It takes a holistic approach by supplementing its curriculum with different programs, i.e., addressing mental health, civics and social justice, and field trips to expose children to new experiences. The SPPF team is focused on making a lasting, positive impact and fostering intellectual curiosity in each and every student going through its program. Children not only learn, but gain confidence. I feel very fortunate to be a Board Member of an organization that is providing such a valuable and necessary program to the community.
I have been on the board of SPPF for 2 years and have seen the organization experience tremendous growth in that time. I am thankful that growth has benefited more children in our target area while never sacrificing quality. Our evidence-based approach to teaching and learning is unparalleled and would not be possible without our fabulous teachers and staff. We are willing to share our successful approaches and best practices to scale educational outcomes for all children of Pinellas County. We are a well run foundation with the capacity and trust to reach out and engage the community.
Education is the most powerful tool for combating poverty, social exclusion and social inequalities.
The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation through its M.A.S.T.R. Kids Programs provides educational enhancement for the children living in South St. Petersburg, FL. I am very proud to be a part of this mission driven organization focused on closing the achievement gap of the children of this resource challenged community.
Working with SPPF has been fantastic. It has allowed me to be a positive influence on young minds and have an active role in helping students fulfill their academic potentials. This program is great!
Awesome program for families who student's are struggling academically as well as students who desire to remain on grade level and above. The program is centrally located with a fun, caring family friendly environment of diverse population.
Great place to learn, grow and achieve greatness.
This organization offers and delivers a holistic approach to after school programming in the midst of “unprecedented times.” Through activities, field trips, and lessons delivered by well trained and highly qualified staff, students improve their reading scores as demonstrated on several different accountability measures. The students enjoy the program and the program protects and develops the students into scholars. I highly recommend it.
I was first introduced to Shirley Proctor Puller as a student in High School. It was there that she pressed on me to the importance of reading as a way to broaden my vocabulary and view of the world. When I was asked to join the board of SPPF you could only imagine my eagerness to repay my late teacher for the interest she showed in me those many years before.
The mission of SPPF is a mirror of her beliefs and life accomplishments. She believed them as I do today that every child is worthy of every opportunity available to be a better student which leads to a limitless life of betterment.
I have since allowed my appointment to other Boards go without seeking renewal of term. This Board has a much greater impact than any other one I’ve served on. It impacts the child who participates as well as their school, parents and siblings. Ultimately it will impact our city in its future by helping create a even playing field.
As a volunteer board member for the Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation, I am so pleased to share with everyone my joy with being associated with this wonderful non-profit. Over the last five years, I have watched this organization blossom and grow. The foundation started as a Summer program focused on increaseing the literacy skills of students stuck in an educational system that left them further and further behind each year. Today, the foundation not only provides Summer academic remediation, STEM and arts programming but also academic year round tutoring, StEM and arts programming. The success of the program is evidenced by the smiles and achievements of each of the amazing children they serve. When a community has the heart to move beyond the shackles of a failing system, they move the hearts and minds of others to do the same. Please join me in celebrating this wonderful organization.
As a newer member to the board of directors for SPPF, I am continuously inspired to be part of an organization where we can see a direct impact on the community at large. Like others involved with the organization, I am part of the board because I want to help close the achievement gap. I believe in the mission, the student curriculum and am thrilled when I see the data points and learnings we are sharing with our enrolled students. Thank you SPPF for all that you do for the South St. Pete community!
