Building Brighter Futures: Stafford Education Foundation's Mission to Transform Local Education

For nearly two decades, the Stafford Education Foundation (SEF) has stood as a beacon of support for the county's vast educational community, bridging gaps and creating opportunities where they might not otherwise exist. What began as a vision to empower students has evolved into a comprehensive support system that touches every corner of Stafford County's schools.

"Empowering the future of our students was at the core of the establishment of Stafford Education Foundation nearly 20 years ago and remains steadfastly so today," explains board member Shaina Amaya. With Stafford County serving a diverse student body of over 32,000 students and 4,000 educators and staff, the resource demands continue to grow—and SEF has risen to meet that challenge.

Three Pillars of Impact

The foundation operates on three fundamental pillars: Focus on Students, Focus on Educators, and Focus on Programs. Each pillar addresses specific needs within the educational community, creating a comprehensive approach to support these needs. SEF's mission centers on engaging the community to make a lasting impact on quality education by bridging the gap between opportunities and access, enabling students to reach their full potential, and providing educators with the necessary resources.

Leading this charge is a dedicated board of directors: President Anita Uyehara, Treasurer Jessica Marschall, and Secretary Debbie Sechrist. Each board member brings years of experience (all have served for at least five years or more) and represents diverse backgrounds spanning parents, educators, business owners, and community servants.

"Our Board Members come from diverse backgrounds; each has a unique perspective and set of strengths they bring to the table," notes Stephanie Johnson, Interim Executive Director, a lifelong educational advocate and former Aquia School Board member. "They represent all areas of our community, but one tie binds us all together: a passion to fill unmet needs in our schools for both teachers and students."

“The Stafford Education Foundation provides an important tie between our classrooms and our community,” said Dr. Daniel W. Smith, Superintendent of Schools. “Through their fundraising efforts, the Foundation provides programs like the Innovative Teaching Grants, which allow our teachers to  amplify what we can achieve in our classrooms, in turn strengthening our entire school division.”

Moments of Joy and Inspiration

For the board members, the most rewarding aspects of their work come in witnessing the direct impact of SEF's initiatives. These moments of connection and transformation drive their continued dedication to the cause.

"The AHA moments of supporting Stafford County education!" exclaims President Anita Uyehara when asked what inspires her to give back. "When a high school senior aspiring to become a teacher receives our notice of a scholarship, when a teacher bubbles with enthusiasm at receiving a grant to support classroom needs, when young elementary students beam with pride at showing the school's mural they helped to paint with our grant funds– it's all about creating AHA! Moments in our school system."

For Secretary Debbie Sechrist, the inspiration comes from a deeply personal place. "My biggest inspiration is my kids and their peers. I believe we have some amazing kids in this community, who with the help of our amazing educators, are going to go forth and do big things in this world. It takes a village, and I am happy to help support our school system to empower these young minds. I believe in our mission and vision to help bridge the gap between available funding and the genuine needs of education endeavors."

"That moment when you see what SEF does that truly matters comes during the virtual presentation of Future Educator Scholarships," explains Treasurer Jessica Marschall. "When a student hears that they have been chosen as a recipient, the look on their face is priceless, in addition to their parent, grandparent, and sibling reactions. We invite the whole family to the virtual presentation. There is also a huge surprise (that I will not reveal here) that makes them even happier!"

The second source of joy stems from the foundation's Innovative Teaching Grants program. "Getting after-action reports from teachers who have been recipients of our Innovative Teaching Grants provides tremendous satisfaction," Marschall continues. "There are typically pictures, videos, and narratives that come to us. Seeing the true classroom impact is, well, joyful!"

Community Building and Long-Term Impact and Legacy

Stafford County's unique geographic layout presents distinct challenges. "Our county is quite fragmented geographically, without a lot of close neighborhood hubs, sidewalks, and shared local spaces," notes President Anita Uyehara. This situation highlights the vital role of SEF's unifying mission in uniting diverse communities around a shared commitment to education.

One of the most inspiring aspects of SEF's work is witnessing the long-term impact of its investments in students. "One of the most inspiring things is to see one of our Future Educator Scholarship kids come back to teach at Stafford Schools," shares Johnson . "Knowing that there was a true impact for this student and that they knew they could come home and give back to a community that truly supported them."

The foundation also takes pride in supporting educators' creative visions through its grant programs. "When we provide the grant to a teacher or group of teachers, they just have an idea– SEF provides the funding to see that come to fruition," Johnson explains about attending the culmination of Innovative Teaching Grant projects in May.

Getting Involved and Supporting the Mission

For ongoing support, the foundation has launched the Building Brighter Futures Fund, a monthly giving campaign that allows community members to make sustained contributions to educational excellence.

"Supporting unmet needs is an ongoing mission, as there are so many,"  Shaina Amaya emphasizes. "To create a meaningful impact, we have one major fundraiser a year."

SEF maintains its impact through strategic fundraising efforts, most notably its annual "Tee Off for Education" golf tournament. This year's event will be held on Tuesday, September 23—deliberately scheduled on a day when teachers are off, allowing them to participate and enjoy the day.

The foundation actively encourages community engagement through various channels, including its bi-monthly newsletter and social media presence. This outreach is a vital part of SEF's mission, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility among community members.

As Sechrist emphasizes: "We need our community to sign up for our every other month newsletters to be in the know and engage with SEF."

With its comprehensive approach to addressing unfunded mandates in education and its proven track record of creating lasting change, the Stafford Education Foundation continues to demonstrate that when a community comes together around education, the impact extends far beyond individual students and teachers— it transforms the entire educational landscape for generations to come.