What is The Orchard Foundation?

The Orchard Foundation is a nonprofit local education fund established as a resource for Central Louisiana that works with school districts, businesses, and communities to improve educational opportunities. The Orchard Foundation provides outstanding opportunities to develop leaders in education which enhance the education efforts in Central Louisiana.

The Orchard Foundation serves a nine-parish area of Central Louisiana which includes: Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn.

Background and Funding

In 2004, The Rapides Foundation assembled a group of leaders from throughout the nine-parish Central Louisiana area to study the need for a local education fund and to determine the possible role it could play to improve educational opportunities for educators. The Rapides Foundation initially committed $600,000 over a three year period to establish the local education fund, and continues funding today under its Education Initiative.

The Rapides Foundation’s Education Initiative seeks to increase the level of educational attainment and achievement among Central Louisiana residents. Research tells us that people with higher education levels are healthier and live longer. One of the core strategies in the Education Initiative is providing professional development and leadership opportunities for teachers and school leaders in Cenla. The Orchard Foundation administers these efforts through funding from The Rapides Foundation.

Mission

The Orchard Foundation's Mission is to improve academic achievement for Central Louisiana students by promoting best practices; recruiting, retaining, and rewarding excellent and innovative teachers; building school leadership; and strengthening school and community relationships.

Vision

The Orchard Foundation functions as a resource which promotes leadership development for educators and higher achievement for students in Central Louisiana.

The Orchard Foundation Staff

Marjorie Taylor

Marjorie Taylor, Ed.D.

Executive Director for The Orchard Foundation

Dr. Marjorie Taylor is the Executive Director for The Orchard Foundation. She has more than 25 years of experience in the field of education, with the last 20 being in adult education, continuing education and workforce development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Master of Education in Mathematics and a Doctor of Education from Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. Prior to joining The Orchard Foundation, Taylor served as dean of the Louisiana Board of Regents Learning Center for Rapides Parish where she was responsible for directing operations of the facility and coordinating academic programs for more than 12 partner colleges and universities.

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Kim Ducote

Kim Ducote

The Orchard Foundation Administrative Assistant

Kim Ducote serves as the Administrative Assistant for The Orchard Foundation. She provides the administrative support for all of The Orchard Foundation program activities. 

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Jamila Farris

Jamila Farris

Early Childhood Program Coordinator

Jamila Farris is the Early Childhood Program Coordinator. She is responsible for helping coordinate and facilitate The Orchard Foundation's Early Childhood programs, including Read to Soar and Math to Build On. Farris holds an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Ashford University. Prior to joining The Orchard Foundation, Farris worked as a Head Start teacher in LaSalle Parish. 

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Aubrey Flynn

Aubrey Flynn

Program Manager for K-12

Aubrey Flynn is the Program Manager for K-12 for The Orchard Foundation. She is responsible for ensuring K-12 programmatic activities of The Orchard Foundation are developed and implemented as designed. Flynn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Art History from Tulane University in New Orleans, La. Prior to joining The Orchard Foundation, she served as a teacher for the Rapides Parish School Board. In addition, Flynn has more than 12 years of experience in corporate and nonprofit training, marketing and development.

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Robin Iles

Robin Iles

Program Manager for Early Childhood

Robin Iles is the Program Manager for Early Childhood for The Orchard Foundation. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the Early Childhood initiatives including the early childhood family literacy programs, Read to Soar and Math to Build On. Iles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from McNeese State University. Prior to joining The Orchard Foundation, she taught English to middle school students in the Rapides Parish school system. Iles also served on her school leadership team and sponsored the Educators Rising club.

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Ethical conduct and governance

The Rapides Foundation is committed to lawful and ethical behavior in all of its activities. Employees and trustees are required to conduct themselves in a manner that complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

All employees and trustees are required to review and sign the Foundation's Code of Conduct, and be familiar with its Whistleblower Policy. These policies relating to the governance of The Rapides Foundation are listed below:

Code of Conduct: Board of Trustees
Code of Conduct: Employees
Whistleblower Policy

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