Fueling a Great Year: Back-to-School Teacher Appreciation in the Avenue

At Fuse Project, we know that strong, supported teachers make a meaningful difference in the success of the students we serve in the Avenue community. That’s why teacher appreciation is an essential part of our Academic Support Program. Our back-to-school events were designed to celebrate our educators, strengthen their sense of connection, and start the school year with energy, encouragement, and gratitude.

Celebrating Our Educators

At Pathway K–5, we kicked off the school year by treating teachers and staff to a special breakfast featuring a crowd favorite—Breakfast Gumbo. It was a simple but meaningful way to create a warm, welcoming start to the semester. As educators gathered, they had the chance to reconnect, share excitement for the year ahead, and feel appreciated before the first bell ever rang. Moments like these help set a positive tone and remind our teachers that their hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed.

At Florence Howard Elementary and Calloway-Smith Middle School, teachers kicked off the year with a team-building outing at Dave & Buster’s. This new experience gave educators the chance to step away from the stress of preparation, reconnect with colleagues, and enjoy some well-deserved fun. The goal was simple: strengthen camaraderie, boost morale, and create space for collaboration—because when teachers feel supported and connected, the entire school community benefits.

Recognizing Excellence Through Teacher Incentives

As part of our commitment to uplifting Avenue educators, Fuse Project also honored outstanding teachers at both Calloway-Smith Middle School and Florence Howard Elementary School with gift cards celebrating their hard work and the strong student performance reflected in their classrooms during the first quarter of this academic year.

 At Calloway-Smith, three teachers (one from each grade level) were recognized for their exceptional dedication: Ms. Carter, who strengthens reading skills while teaching social studies; Ms. Schoetzow, a social studies teacher who actively supports the math and ELA teams; and Ms. Davis, a self-contained teacher known for her engaging, hands-on approach that keeps students excited about learning.

At Florence Howard Elementary School, five teachers (one per grade level, excluding K5) were recognized for leading their classes to strong results on iReady, an adaptive online program that helps teachers personalize instruction in reading and math. iReady tracks student growth through interactive lessons and short quizzes, providing real-time data on lessons passed, accuracy, and time on task. This quarter’s honorees included Ms. Lofton (1st grade), Ms. E. Smith (2nd grade), Ms. Prater (3rd grade), Ms. Harris (4th grade), and Ms. Kimbrough (5th grade). Each of these teachers demonstrated exceptional leadership in helping students stay active on the platform, make steady progress, and successfully pass a significant portion of their lessons, reflecting both strong instruction and consistent student engagement.

Recognizing teachers in this way is not just a thoughtful gesture; it’s an evidence-based strategy. Research shows that meaningful incentives can boost morale, reinforce effective teaching practices, and improve teacher retention, all of which directly influence student outcomes. When educators feel valued and supported, they are better equipped to deliver high-quality instruction and help students in the Avenue community thrive academically.

Why Appreciation Matters

Teacher appreciation isn’t just a nicety. It’s a strategic part of our Academic Support Program. Research shows that when teachers feel valued and supported, job satisfaction goes up, retention improves, and ultimately student outcomes benefit. One study found that only about 25% of U.S. teachers “strongly agree” they’ve been recognized for good work in the past week. Another piece notes that morale and feeling connected and appreciated are among the strongest predictors of teacher retention. Because teachers are the cornerstone of student growth, ensuring they feel supported aligns directly with our goal of cradle-to-college/career success.

Building Connection, Collaboration, and Culture
These early‐year events did more than serve gumbo or arcade game tokens. They:

• Created space for teachers to relax, laugh, and build relationships outside the classroom.

• Reinforced a message: We see you, we appreciate you, we’re on your side.

• Aligned with our program’s focus on academic support in under‐resourced schools by investing not only in students, but in the educators who serve them.

Looking Ahead

As the year progresses, we’ll continue to show up for our teachers in meaningful ways. Our commitment remains to support the educators who serve our students in the Avenue community, and through that, build a culture of success, respect, and joy in learning.

To all the teachers at Pathway, Florence Howard, and Calloway-Smith (and beyond), thank you for your dedication. We are honored to stand by your side as you inspire the next generation. Here’s to a year of growth, collaboration, and joy in the classroom.