The Borgen Family Foundation (Est. 1993), alumnus Jon-Erik Borgen ‘92 and his wife Brooke believe that investing in teachers is an investment in student success. They’ve recently established the Borgen Faculty Fellow endowment to underwrite a portion of costs for teachers pursuing advanced degrees or other strategic growth opportunities. 

 

Graland Today: How is this endowment the best use of your foundation’s funds?

Jon-Erik: The goal for the fellows program is to promote excellence and foster a community of engaged teachers. The powerful nature of Graland’s ASCEND capital campaign is that it elevates teacher excellence, strengthens our student community through increased financial aid, and offers unparalleled facilities for its students. These are mainstays that will continue to make Graland great for many generations to come; the professional development component is something that strongly resonates with our family foundation’s mission.

 

GT:What gave you the idea for this endowment?

Brooke: Jon-Erik and I both started our careers as fellows at El Pomar Foundation where we spent two years learning about philanthropy, fundraising, nonprofit management and leadership. Those experiences influenced how we think about our own philanthropic goals and how we can best direct resources to make a difference in the communities we love. We wanted to offer more funds for teachers pursuing advanced degrees because we know the value in lifelong learning. Giving teachers more opportunities to develop their skills is a gift that they will bring back to the classroom and to their peers for many years to come.

 

Brooke:Graland teachers are clearly so skilled at what they do; they work tirelessly to ensure our children succeed both in school and in their lives well beyond Graland. One of the best things we can do is retain and develop this type of talent. We hope the Borgen Faculty Fellows program will make teachers proud to grow their careers at Graland.

 

GT:What impact have the teachers at Graland had on you as an alumnus?

Jon-Erik:My teachers at Graland challenged me, motivated me, and allowed me to explore my strengths, overcome my weaknesses, and think differently. I’ve taken the lessons I learned at Graland with me my whole life.

The list of Graland faculty who made a lasting impression on me is long.  Near the top is math teacher John Threlkeld. He commanded a focused classroom, he was fair, and he made math interesting. Along with her encyclopedic knowledge, Mrs. Priest had an amazing ability to engrain in me the importance of honoring traditions and being held accountable for your work. Coach Romero was a great influence with his passion for coaching and pushing excellence. Mr. Kinney’s enthusiasm and love for biology made learning fun, and of course, Mr. Hickey – his students couldn’t help but be inspired and engaged in his classroom. There are so many others I could easily name. Back then and today, teaching excellence is the standard. The steadfast theme throughout Graland’s history is a faculty that cares and is invested in the community and the students.