The Toyota USA Foundation is awarding $5.8 million to Lee County and Pontotoc city schools to boost science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as well as English language-learning initiatives.
According to a news release from the foundation, the money will be divvied out over the next five years as part of Toyota’s Driving Possibilities program. The program aims to give students and teachers access to innovative tools and resources designed to provide foundational skills, build confidence, and align them with an individualized path to success.
“We believe all students deserve equal access to opportunities and a pathway to high-growth careers, no matter their background,” Ana Meade, vice president of social innovation at Toyota, said. “Through Driving Possibilities, we aim to create limitless possibilities for all in our work with communities to address barriers so that everyone can participate in the quality STEM jobs of the future.”
Driving Possibilities is Toyota’s national approach to workforce readiness and community engagement. In Mississippi, Toyota is collaborating with the CREATE Foundation and Ole Miss. By working with local community and education partners, the Driving Possibilities team identified areas where support is needed to help close educational gaps through innovative, hands-on STEM programming while addressing the needs of students and families.
“As a leader in the community, Toyota is looking forward to working with Lee County and Pontotoc City Schools through the Driving Possibilities model for STEM Education,” Aaron Foster, plant vice president of Toyota Mississippi, said. “The tailored plan will help enhance educational opportunities from Pre-K through 12th grade while integrating STEM into the everyday life of our students and teachers.”
Lee County Schools will embed STEM programming into everyday curriculum at the middle school level while customizing an intentional professional development program for its middle and elementary school educators.
Meanwhile, just 25 miles west, Pontotoc schools will launch a holistic and inclusive newcomer program. This will provide students, teachers, and families with resources and tools for English-language learner translation services.
“Toyota is leading the way in helping us create Mississippi’s next-generation workforce. When industry and education work together, the possibilities for our children and our economy are endless,” Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann said. “We appreciate Toyota’s substantial investment in these districts and hope this example will spur other similar partnerships across the state.”
Mississippi is the ninth site to launch the Driving Possibilities initiative. To date, nearly $72 million has been announced through multi-year grants with local and national nonprofits, education partners, and the communities where Toyota team members live and work.
