The commitment by Toyota Motor Manufacturing to establish a $50 million endowment at the CREATE Foundation is the most extraordinary gift to support public education in the history of our state. Since its inception, CREATE, through the guidance of the Toyota Wellspring Advisory Committee, uses the proceeds from the endowment to enhance education in Pontotoc, Union, and Lee counties. 

The Toyota Wellspring Education Fund’s vision is to build a world-class workforce to ensure all young people in Northeast Mississippi are exposed to, prepared for, and connected to living-wage employment opportunities through strong career guidance and aligned education-to-career experiences. TWEF is changing the educational landscape in our region by making students’ professional dreams a reality.

Toyota Wellspring Education Fund
Advisory Committee

Committee Advisors

Committee Advisors

Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo

For over 7 years, the Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo has provided over 30,000 students from the 17 CREATE counties with the opportunity to experience 18 career pathways.

In 2020, Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo experience transitioned from an in-person event to a virtual format targeting 10th grade students.  The virtual format includes a website, www.itpcareerexpo.com, and the Imagine the Possibilities app that is accessible via Apple and Android products.  Students and parents can access information on all eighteen pathways, with each pathway including a pathway overview video, pathway resources, a “day in the life” videos, mentor for a minute clips, and a podcast.

All career pathways with which students receive exposure align with the Mississippi Department of Education College and Career Readiness Standards.

GRANTS

The Toyota Wellspring Fund distributes grant monies to the school districts in Pontotoc, Union, and Lee counties for initiatives ranging from STEAM-based education to early childhood summer camps. Funds are also directed towards summer learning opportunities at our local community colleges, universities, and businesses, enhancing students’ experiences as they relate directly to career pathways. Further, educators in the three counties are provided funds to advance their professional development and strengthen their capacity from the classroom to the district level. Each funding opportunity is directly linked to creating a classrooms-to-careers avenue in our three counties.

Career Coaches

The Career Coaches in the 8 school districts in Pontotoc, Union, and Lee counties, serve as a liaison and resource between high schools and our communities. Through an abundance of opportunities ranging from aptitude tools to internships in local businesses and industries, our cohort, and partner districts, aim to expose, prepare and connect our students to avenues within and beyond the classroom. 

 

Career Coaches facilitate resume writing, mock interviews, and externship and internship experiences aligned to each student’s career goals beyond high school. Through guidance and strong partnerships with our economic and business leaders, the Career Coaches ensure students make informed career decisions identifying strengths, growth areas, and interests to acquire essential transferable skills and build professional capacity when preparing for their futures. 

 

Through thought-provoking engagement, and a creative process which inspires students to maximize their potential, Career Coaches are the change agent in a student’s next steps to a successful career beyond high school. For more information, contact your high school Career Coach today!

TPSD Discovery

The Toyota Wellspring Fund distributes grant monies to the school districts in Pontotoc, Union, and Lee counties for initiatives ranging from STEAM-based education to early childhood summer camps. Funds are also directed towards summer learning opportunities at our local community colleges, universities, and businesses, enhancing students’ experiences as they relate directly to career pathways. Further, educators in the three counties are provided funds to advance their professional development and strengthen their capacity from the classroom to the district level. Each funding opportunity is directly linked to creating a classrooms-to-careers avenue in our three counties.