SEED RECIEVES ANONOMYOUS $10,000 DONATION
Gift Will Fund K-3 Literacy Curriculum
Jean Briggs Badger
DOVER, N.H., December 7, 2018 - The Seacoast Educational Endowment of Dover (“SEED”), a nonprofit organization dedicated to lifting academic excellence in Dover schools by granting scholarships to public educators, is excited to announce it has received a $10,000 direct donation. The gift, given in honor of former Dover Superintendent Jean Briggs Badger, will be used to improve early literacy practice in grades K-3 in Dover public schools.
Briggs Badger served in the Garrison City for more than 24 years. She spent 18 years as a federal projects director before becoming the director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. In 2010, she became the first female superintendent in school history. She promoted strong family and community engagement, emphasized the importance of literacy in academic achievement, improved test scores, and enhanced school safety until her retirement in 2013.
During her tenure as superintendent, the school administration faced tough economic times with budget cuts and a newly established city-wide tax cap. She took her funding concerns and worked with community leaders and local businesses to establish an education foundation to find the resources to take on new initiatives to better develop 21st century skills in Dover students. As a result, SEED was formed in 2011. Since its inception, SEED has awarded 100 grants to teachers and administrators investing more than $115,000 in training, curriculum, and equipment for Dover public schools.
“Jean knew schools needed more than district funding could afford and that given the opportunity many educators would bring innovative curriculum into in their classrooms,” said Karen Duffy, SEED Board President. “As Superintendent, Jean was 100% student and learning focused.”
The donation was received as SEED kicked off its first ever annual appeal campaign, an intense effort by SEED's entirely volunteer-led organization. Donations made to SEED are tax deductible and a 501C3 number can be provided. For more information about SEED, to become a sponsor or donate, please visit www.doverseed.org