Speaker’s Forum &

Special Initiatives

Speaker’s Forum 2026:

The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation is proud to partner with the Greater Cleveland School Superintendents’ Association to bring Dr. Desmond Blackburn, President and CEO of Facing History and Ourselves, to Cleveland for an engaging presentation on civic responsibility, debate, and discourse. Join Dr. Blackburn at one of the following sessions:

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Session One: Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, OH - 8:30 am -11:00 am

Get your Free Tickets Here

Session Two: City Club at Playhouse Square, 1317 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH - 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Purchase your ticket here

Special Initiatives 2026:

Our 2026 Special Initiatives correspond with our three funding priorities - the advancement of teaching, the advancement of student learning, and the advancement of public education:

Advancement of Teaching:

Ashland Summer Math Institute
ODEW: Amplify Teachers’ Voices

Ashland University 2026 Summer Math Institute
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation is investing $60,000 in Ashland University’s 2026 Summer Math Institute to strengthen math instruction across Ohio by investing directly in teachers.
This five-day, in-person institute (June 22–26) serves Grades 4–8 math educators and aligns with Ohio’s Plan for K–12 Mathematics. Teachers engage with leading math experts and research-based instructional practices to deepen content knowledge and strengthen classroom impact.
Participants earn three graduate credits, receive a stipend, and have access to optional lodging and meals—removing barriers and honoring their professional expertise.
By supporting immersive, high-quality professional learning, MHJF helps build teacher leadership and ensure Ohio students experience strong, engaging math instruction.
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce: Amplify Teachers’ Voices
Through a $20,000 investment, MHJF is partnering with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to elevate teacher leadership statewide through the Amplify Teachers’ Voices Forum.
This initiative brings together 20–40 outstanding Ohio educators—including Teachers of the Year and Jennings honorees—with state education leaders for structured dialogue on key issues facing public education.
By funding substitute coverage and convening costs, MHJF removes barriers to participation and reinforces the importance of teacher voice in shaping policy and practice.
When teachers and state leaders learn alongside one another, Ohio’s education system becomes stronger, more responsive, and better positioned to serve students.

Advancement of Learning:

CLEP & Modern States: Freshman Year for Free
Ohio Mid-Sized Districts Leadership Collaborative: Instructional Rounds

CLEP & Modern States: Freshman Year for Free
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation is investing $50,000 in the Modern States “Freshman Year for Free” initiative to expand access to early college credit for Ohio students.
Through self-paced online courses taught by college professors, students prepare for CLEP exams and can earn college credit while still in high school. Launching at Cleveland Heights High School, this pilot will also create a toolkit and professional learning model to support strong school implementation.
This effort prioritizes first-generation and low-income students who may have limited access to AP, IB, or other advanced coursework. By reducing the cost and time required to earn a degree, the program helps students build confidence and momentum toward college and career success.
Ohio Mid-Sized Districts Leadership Collaborative: Instructional Rounds
With a $50,000 investment in the Ohio Mid-Sized Districts Leadership Collaborative, MHJF is supporting a peer-driven approach to strengthening teaching and learning across Ohio.
Through Instructional Rounds, educators and district leaders visit host districts to observe classrooms, examine a shared “problem of practice,” and provide structured, supportive feedback. The process emphasizes collaboration, trust, and professional learning—not evaluation.
By learning directly from one another, districts strengthen instructional systems, build leadership capacity, and bring effective strategies back to their schools—improving student engagement and outcomes statewide.

Advancement of Public Education:

BASA / SOAR Ohio: Advancing the Public Education Promise
OESCA: Advancing Public Education through Statewide Visibility, Influence, and Strategic Outreach

BASA/SOAR Ohio: Advancing the Public Education Promise
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation is investing $50,000 in BASA’s SOAR Ohio network to strengthen public education through high-impact leadership development.
SOAR Ohio brings together superintendents and district leadership teams in a year-long cycle of learning, action, reflection, and growth. Using AASA’s Public Education Promise framework, districts design and test local strategies that support student-centered learning, real-world skills, educator development, and strong family and community partnerships.
MHJF’s funding will provide scholarships for additional districts—prioritizing rural and Appalachian communities—to ensure equitable access to this statewide network. By equipping leaders and sharing what works, this investment strengthens school systems across Ohio.
OESCA: Expanding Statewide Leadership and Strategic Outreach
Through a $50,000 grant to the Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA), MHJF is increasing its visibility and engagement across Ohio’s public education landscape.
This initiative strengthens connections within superintendent associations, statewide networks, and leadership forums—positioning MHJF as a trusted thought partner in key conversations and decision-making spaces.
By deepening relationships, promoting signature convenings, and maintaining strong accountability measures, this investment builds alignment, trust, and shared momentum in support of Ohio’s public schools.