The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation (MEEF), in partnership with the Muscogee County School District (MCSD), today announced the launch of the Buntin Schools of Excellence (BSOE) initiative during a news conference held at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, the first participating school in the program.

Named in honor of Dr. Jim Buntin, beloved former superintendent and one of MEEF’s founders, the Buntin Schools of Excellence initiative is a comprehensive professional learning program designed to strengthen teaching and leadership in schools serving students from high-poverty environments. The initiative addresses opportunity gaps by providing teachers with tools rooted in neuroscience, trauma-informed practices, and high-impact instruction. It also focuses on school culture, morale, and leadership—key factors in long-term school transformation.

“We believe the most powerful way to improve student outcomes is to invest directly in the educators who work with children every day,” said Dr. David Lewis, Superintendent of MCSD. “The Buntin Schools of Excellence initiative reflects a deep commitment to strengthening instruction, supporting teachers, and building school cultures where students can thrive. We are proud to begin this work at MLK, Jr. Elementary and grateful to the generous donors who are making this long-term investment possible.”

At the heart of the initiative is a strong belief in the transformative role of teachers. As Dr. Jim Buntin often says, “Teachers don’t just teach. They change the trajectory of lives. When you invest in them, you invest in generations of children and families.”

The Buntin Schools of Excellence initiative is led by nationally recognized education expert Dr. Tammy Pawlowski, Director of the Center of Excellence for Teachers of Children of Poverty at Francis Marion University. After an extensive, nearly year-long search, MEEF identified Dr. Pawloski as one of the few experts in the nation with both the depth of research knowledge and the proven experience to lead this work. For more than fifteen years, Dr. Pawlowski has studied the effects of poverty on learning and cognition, translating brain-based research into practical, high-impact instructional strategies. She has led more than 1,000 professional learning experiences for teachers and school leaders nationwide, with a track record of measurable results in high-poverty schools. What distinguishes her work is the seamless integration of rigorous research, real-world classroom practice, and compelling insights from the field that empower and challenge educators.

“This program is designed to support teachers working in high-concentration schools where poverty and trauma can significantly impact learning,” said Dr. Pawlowski. “By combining the science of learning, trauma-informed practices, and high-impact instruction, we strengthen teaching, elevate school culture, and create conditions where both educators and students can succeed.”

Throughout the year, faculty at MLK Elementary will participate in embedded coaching, collaborative planning, data-informed reflection, and targeted professional learning tailored to the school’s specific needs.

With five years of funding secured through generous donor support, the Buntin Schools of Excellence initiative is intentionally designed for sustained impact. While MLK Elementary is the first school to participate, additional schools will be added over time—creating a growing network of strengthened educators and schools.

“This work is happening alongside other district initiatives and supports already in place,” Dr. Lewis added. “We all understand that meaningful improvement does not happen overnight. We are committed for the long haul—using research, data, and proven strategies to bring the right resources to the students and schools that need them most.”