Who We Are...
Manners First Education Foundation
Upon this rock…A vision that exposes all students to success
Origin of Manners First
The name "Manners First" is derived from the Godly principles of showing respect for self, for others, and for learning. Manners First was inspired in the heart of its founder L. Clayton Washington. These Godly principles were taught to Clayton by his grandmother, parents, and others. They instilled in him that demonstrating "good manners in life will take you further than money."
Clayton began to instill the principles of Manners First in Delaware schools in January 1997. God has helped Manners First, ever since, to grow into and to remain a fruitful blessing to many students and families. See some of the works and achievements from the past 10 years.
Currently, Manners First sees an urgent need for greater works and services for our students and families in the field of education. Too many of our students are not getting the necessary support in education that is needed for them to have independent lives and to become productive citizens. This sense of urgency and need has given birth to Manners First Education Foundation.
Manners First Education Foundation is led by the same Godly principles that guided Manners First in its beginning: teaching and demonstrating to all students respect for self, others, and for learning. The Manners First Education Foundation works to better the lives of all students and families, regardless of race or socioeconomic background.
Our Mission at Manners First Education Foundation is to expose all students to success, with an understanding heart that compassionately supports their education and social needs and by building trusting relationships with all students, families, and the community.
The foundation focuses on creating educational opportunities for all students through its Scholarships and Awards programs, which seek to be fruitful and effective in promoting the gifts, talents, and skills of all students.
The foundation is led by a team of compassionate and highly qualified advisors representing families, education, pediatrics, law, corporations, businesses, organizations, local and state governments, colleges and universities, and religious organizations.
Our Vision
Manners First Education Foundation is a vision that exposes all students to success.
Our Goal
To reward and encourage students to demonstrate independent living skills and respect for self, for others and for learning.
Our Mission
Manners First Education Foundation focuses on a social intelligence approach that exposes all students to success, with an understanding heart that compassionately supports their educational and social needs and by building trusting relationships with all students, families, and communities. We seek to promote the gifts, talents, and skills of all students in order for them to gain citizenship, along with full social and economic opportunities.
Our Guiding Principles
His grace is sufficient for us. His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Our Purpose and Priorities
Every day, in our schools, we see too many of our students give up too soon on their dreams and goals. Too many of our students have lost the motivation for learning and have given up on learning, causing them to turn to false hopes which produce self destruction and damage to the community. Our purpose at Manners First Education Foundation is to give to all students the Lively Hope and to provide support so that they feel motivated and challenged. Our program promotes and builds them up, and demonstrates to them their God-given gifts, talents, and skills.
From our experience in education, we believe that learning is manifested when we build trusting relationships with students, parents, and the community. We also strongly feel that students must have effective, constant, and inexhaustible support that exposes them to values in a positive manner, both educationally and socially. We feel that, in order to build high achievement levels and self-esteem, students must be exposed to success. This allows them to be motivated to learn and to demonstrate respect for self, others, and for learning.
We know that we can help our students to reach their true purposes in life. We all are stakeholders in this crisis, and Manners First Education Foundation wants to play a role in helping our students, families, and communities to have opportunities to be exposed to success. Please see The PLOW Newsletter and read what our guest writer has to say about exposing students to success in a letter written to Manners First Education Foundation.
Our Highest Priorities
- To expose all students to success and the Lively Hope by supporting them with an understanding heart and by building trusting relationships with all students, families, and communities
- To reduce the drop-out rate for all students.
- To prepare all students for service, college, and the workforce
- To create a learning community among students, educators and families
- To collaborate with other stakeholders in the educational field, both locally and at the state level
Please join us...
and help to sow seeds of hope in the hearts of all of our students and families.You may write to the foundation or contact us through the website, and let us know how we can help you. Consider partnering with Manners First Education Foundation, and receive the great joy and peace you derive from helping others.
With Sincere Thanks…Manners First Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization. Every gift and donation will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Upon This Rock … A vision that exposes all students to success with an understanding heart that compassionately supports their educational and social need and by building trusting relationships with all students, families, and communities that will help them to achieve Greater works and services.
