S1E18: Imagine the Best for Every Child: How Industry Partnerships Are Shaping the Future of Education (Dr. Lynette Henry, Educate Fairfax)

How can communities ensure every student has the resources and support they need to succeed in one of America’s largest school districts, where 37% of students live in poverty?

On this episode of Think Bigger Voices, Jennie Treby sits down with Dr. Lynette Henry, Executive Director of Educate Fairfax, a non-profit that serves over 183,000 students across 199 schools in the 10th largest district in the U.S. With 30+ years of experience transforming struggling schools in Tampa to community partnerships in Fairfax County, Dr. Henry shares her blueprint for success: connecting students to resources, opportunities and support systems that teach them to believe in themselves.

In this transformative episode, you’ll learn:

• Dr. Henry’s personal story of coming to America from Barbados with only $200 and two suitcases to further her education and impact kids in need.
• How strategic classroom and community partnerships can simultaneously boost attendance and reading achievement and decrease discipline referrals.
• Strengthening social capital by connecting students with mentors, college resources and volunteers by meeting them where they are to guide future opportunities.
• How Educate Fairfax’s strategic planning ensures students have what they need to thrive, from school supplies to food security, health care and vision support. This growth with purpose model is providing scholarships, grants, Innovators Fund programs and educator support.
• The impact of business and community partnerships, including with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and Think Big for Kids, in co-creating pipelines for student success.

From building trust to fostering teacher creativity and family support, this conversation highlights how intentional, strategic investment in education can change lives, create equity and prepare the next generation for the future workforce.

Dr. Henry’s philosophy is simple: imagine the best for every child and make it happen. Because with the right access and encouragement, doors of opportunity open.

Links:

Educate Fairfax: https://www.educatefairfax.org/

Fairfax County Public Schools: https://www.fcps.edu/

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority: https://fairfaxcountyeda.org/

Think Big for Kids: https://thinkbigforkids.org/

More about Lynette Henry

Lynette Henry: https://www.educatefairfax.org/staff/lynette-henry

Lynette Henry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lynette-henry-246a55184/

About host Jennie Treby

Jennie Treby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennie-treby/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.