In a new partnership, Siemens Energy hosted a school supply drive for Teach For America Central Florida to collect and donate essential learning materials to students in OCPS Title I, high-need schools. In a statement regarding the partnership, Dr. David Hardrick, Principal at Meadowbrook Middle School, stated the following: 

“The generous donation from Siemens Energy of school supplies for teachers and students is invaluable to providing a quality education for Meadowbrook scholars of excellence. During this unprecedented time, these acts of kindness restore hope and assist with reestablishing a sense of normalcy for students and teachers.” 

Thanks to the Siemens School Supply Drive for Teach For America, students will be starting the second half of the school year with brand new supplies (education tech, notebooks, pens, etc.). More than 3,000 supplies were collected and distributed to three OCPS schools, including Mollie Ray Elementary, Rosemont Elementary, and Meadowbrook Middle School, impacting more than 400 students. 

LaKeisha Palmer, Executive Director of Teach For America Central Florida stated, “This year, many students that we serve, specifically those in communities of need spanning across Central Florida, have been disproportionately affected by lack of access to essential learning tools needed to thrive. At Teach For America, we refuse to let our students fall through the cracks, and this partnership with Siemens Energy ensures that upon their return from winter break, despite the unprecedented circumstance, both students and teachers will have one less barrier to overcome.” 

Craig Adams and Yolanda Williams, Co-Leads of the Orlando Black Employee Community at Siemens Energy led the project alongside Teach For America Central Florida, and gave the following joint statement. “What an honor to partner with Teach for America to help make a difference in the lives of minority students in the Central Florida Region. The Black Employee Community at Siemens Energy (BEC@S) appreciates the mission of the Teach for America organization in uplifting young minds that are too often overlooked by providing educational opportunities and resources. We fully understand the importance of removing barriers to attaining academic achievements and we hope this donation can help them continue being successful. It is with the spirit of this mission that we look forward to additional partnering activities that help to develop today’s youth into the technical and business leaders of tomorrow.”