After more than 35 years of investing in students, educators, and schools, Public Education Foundation (PEF) proudly announces its new name: Public Education Forward. This new name honors the organization's long-standing dedication to public education while signaling a continued commitment to innovations that move public education forward. PEF believes that moving public education forward ensures a bright future for our children, our teachers and leaders, and our community. 

“The first two words of our new name state what we have always been committed to: public education.  The final word declares our commitment to help move public education forward.  Moving public education forward is more important today than ever,” emphasizes Dan Challener, president of Public Education Forward.  

Three Strategic Goals Drive Public Education Forward’s Work

Presently, Public Education Forward focuses on three strategic goals:

• Launching Students through high school, post-secondary education, and on to a career.

• Recruiting, Preparing, and Supporting exceptional teachers 

• Developing Innovators who drive impact across entire schools and districts

Founded in 1988, Public Education Forward has supported thousands of public school students, hundreds of teachers and principals, and every public school in Hamilton County. The evolution to Public Education Forward represents both continuity and growth, honoring the organization’s legacy while more clearly reflecting its role as a catalyst for change. PEF’s existing programs include VW eLabs, which has implemented and supports digital fabrication labs in 55 Hamilton County schools, PEF Teacher Residency, which has recruited, trained, and supported more than 200 individuals as teachers who work in HCS’s highest-need schools, and Camp College, which has helped more than 1000 students become the first in their family to go to and graduate from college. In the next few months, PEF will announce a major new initiative involving artificial intelligence. 

"Public education is the foundation of opportunity for every child in this community," said PEF Board Chair John Germ.  "Our new name reminds us — and everyone we serve — that public education is critical to our community and must always be moving forward."

Besides embracing a new name, PEF has developed a refreshed visual identity designed to honor the organization’s roots while positioning it for the next chapter. See what forward looks like at pefchattanooga.org.