The Art of Giving: Spring Garden Party Raises $1.5M for Center for Creative Education

The Susan and Dom Telesco Center for Creative Education advances academic success through programs that support students, families, and communities. At the center of this work is TFS, a K–5 independent lab school where research-aligned instruction and whole-child supports are implemented to drive strong academic outcomes for underserved students.

Access to TFS is made possible through a combination of philanthropy and state scholarships. According to the program’s creators, results achieved on campus not only transform student trajectories, but also support CCE’s
growing role in developing and sharing effective, field-tested approaches to teaching and learning.

“When students receive the right support early, the results are remarkable,” Robert L. Hamon, President and CEO of The Susan and Dom Telesco Center for Creative Education, said. “While only a fraction of students in surrounding schools are reading on grade level, nearly 90% of our students are. That difference isn’t about the students; it’s about the environment we create around them. This is what’s possible when we invest in children.”

The evening celebrated CCE’s mission to expand opportunity through education while highlighting the transformative impact of TFS. The program also featured remarks from parents whose children attend TFS, sharing how the school’s individualized approach has helped their kids thrive academically and personally.

“In just one year, Ivy and Autumn went from a two-year delay to performing at grade level,” Foundations School parent Petra New said, adding, “Watching them blossom into readers has been nothing short of a miracle. I am so incredibly proud to say that my family belongs to this village.”

The new Learning Garden will be a dedicated outdoor instructional space just outside the school’s cafeteria. More than a beautification project, it will serve as a living lab where students apply classroom lessons in real-world ways. Through hydroponics, crop cultivation, and garden-to-table experiences, students will explore STEM, math, nutrition, and the journey of food from seed to table.

Other guests in attendance included Ann Bresnan and Nick Young, Don Burns and Michael Lizanich, Bubli and Rohit Dandiya, Gail and Al Engelberg, Pam and Bob Goergen, Irene and Jim Karp, Amy and Ron Kochman, Michele and Jim Kukla, Mary Mahoney, Betsy and James Meany, Eddie Schmidt and Ozzie Medeiros, Pam and Brad Miller, Laura and Geoffrey Rehnert, Karen and Tom Rutledge, Margaret and Christopher Sinclair, Susan and Dom Telesco and Norma and Bill Tiefel.

Learn more at cceflorida.org.