I.N.S.P.I.R.E. LIFELONG LEARNING

At the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation, everything we do comes down to one thing: Our students.

There are 3,500 reasons why we exist—because that’s the number of students in the Mt. Pleasant Public School District. Helping each child achieve their highest potential is our reason to serve.

Our Vision

We believe every student deserves the chance to thrive through meaningful learning experiences that prepares them to reach their highest potential. That’s why we partner closely with Mt. Pleasant Public Schools to provide reliable and transformative funding that supports classrooms, academic clubs, and districtwide initiatives.

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A classroom scene with students sitting at a table, smiling and engaging with each other, with a whiteboard and a TV on the wall in the background.
Photo from the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Photo from the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Photo from the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Photo from the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Photo from the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Photo from the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Photo from the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Photo from the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Photo from the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Photo from the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Photo from the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan

What We Value

We live our mission through the values of I.N.S.P.I.R.E.

I.

Innovation and continuous improvement

N.

Nurturing the unique abilities of each student

S.

System-wide collaboration, cooperation, and communication

P.

Pride and safety in our schools and community

I.

Integrity, honesty, and fiscal responsibility

Digital clock displaying 12:00, black background, blue hour and minute hands, and blue stylized numbers.

R.

Respect for diversity in every learning environment

E.

Excellence in education

Together, these values guide us as we support students, celebrate teachers, and strengthen our community through education.

  • “The foundation exists in order to inspire our staff and students by providing funding opportunities to excel in the classroom. By supporting the foundation, you’re helping children—and there’s nothing more important than that. Every little opportunity that’s provided to them, whether a teacher is able to provide additional books in their classroom, maybe it is funding for some new microscopes or additional art supplies—these little moments that can go above-and-beyond their normal experience in the classroom—every opportunity given to those students makes it worth it.”

    — Kristy Ribitch, MPPSEF Board Member

  • "Through the efforts of the Education Foundation, we're able to do a lot of unique and special things that the school district wouldn't be able to do otherwise. What I see first and foremost is a benefit in our classrooms—in our school buildings. The extra things that we're able to do, whether it's to support the climate and culture of our building in a positive way, or, to support curriculum and those kinds of things, that definitely is a difference you can see and you can feel—and it's because of the Education Foundation’s support."

    — Jennifer Verleger, MPPS Superintendent

  • “It is very difficult in schools right now. Little children are very dysregulated. They are coming from food insecurity and no water. Poverty is unjust. In my work as an elementary school counselor, I go into classrooms and offer some social emotional learning opportunities. I teach social lessons about empathy and conflict resolution and big feelings and lots of things that fit under the umbrella of mental health. I've gotten money from various places and spaces, including this Mount Pleasant Education Foundation, to share the group experience of storytelling in the classroom. They’re captivated! I feel like the invisible gift I hope to give those children is a spark of imagination.”

    — Laura Gourlay, Mt. Pleasant Public Schools School Counselor

  • “By being a Board member, you get to connect with other people that are passionate about our school district. We know they’re out there—we see them at football games and at parent teacher conferences. We have such an involved community that we need to rally together in this aspect of it, too, so that we can provide funds directly to the teachers and classrooms to have an impact.”

    — Leah Rau, MPPSEF Board Secretary