Education is Essential Foundation

Mission Statement

To marshal the human and financial resources of the community to identify its educational needs and develop projects which address those needs in order to create an education culture which will enhance the quality of life for all citizens.

Support the Education is Essential Foundation

The continued health of our area's economy and quality of life depends, in a large part, on an educated workforce. Industry is struggling to fill jobs because of a lack of trained, qualified workers. The Chamber's Education is Essential Foundation (EIE) is working to link the business and education sectors together to remedy many of these problems.


Current Projects Include:

Business Commitment to Education
In the Business Commitment to Education, area businesses state that "as a concerned and dedicated corporate citizen, we see the value and importance of education in the workplace.  An educated workforce is not only critical to our company's success, but also to the quality of life in our community, our state and our country."  Over 80 area businesses representing over 62% of the area workforce have signed this pledge to raising the skill level of the area labor force.  The six points of the Commitment spell out what business is already doing within their companies to encourage lifelong learning support education.


Big Bucks Workshop

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(in collaboration with Junior Achievement)
Through the Big Bucks Workshop, business volunteers share the Business Commitment  to Education with all area eighth graders.  There are two parts to the program.  In part one, the Teams (3-5 classes) are brought together to hear from a human resource volunteer about why their company has signed the Commitment and how education impact one's job opportunities.  Pictured above Vicki Warren of Mohawk Industries explains payroll check to students during the Big Buck$ Workshop.

Teachers In Industry
Through the Teachers in Industry Program, the business community hosted educators for 80-hour internships in the workplace designed by business and non-profit organizations.  The purpose is to provide educators an opportunity to gain practical, "hands-on" experience in the business community as they gain meaningful applied experiences that can be taken back to the classroom.   Teachers apply as independent contractors to perform these "jobs" with the sponsoring company.   A limited number of independent projects designed by educators have been carried out in the business community through School-to-Work and Appalachian Regional Commission Grants.  During the eight years of the program, 79 different educators having participated, completing 139 projects at over 47 different businesses or community agencies.  The summer internship project is a collaboration of Education Is Essential, Dalton Public Schools, Murray County Schools, Whitfield County Schools and Dalton State College.