Each November, Americans celebrate National American Education Week, a time to honor the educators, families, and communities that help every student reach their potential. This year’s theme, running Nov. 17-21, reminds us that education is the foundation of opportunity and the heartbeat of every thriving community.

In West Virginia, we know this truth deeply. Our teachers and school leaders are heroes — steadfastly shaping minds and opening doors of possibility for nearly 280,000 students statewide. Their dedication and innovation deserve our highest praise. Yet, as we celebrate their work, we must also remember: great schools need great partners.

The Third Leg of the Stool: Partnerships that Power Success

Every great school stands on three strong legs: great leaders, great teachers, and great partners. The “third leg,” made up of local businesses, families, and community partners, is often the hidden force that transforms good schools into great ones. When schools and businesses join forces, they bring learning to life, connecting classroom lessons to real-world experiences and helping students see the “why” behind what they learn.

At the Education Alliance, we’ve witnessed firsthand how school-business partnerships spark innovation and student success. These collaborations leverage the resources, expertise, and networks of the business community to support student learning in powerful ways — whether by mentoring, offering internships, sharing technology, or creating community projects that align education with today’s workforce needs.

A Framework for Engagement: GIVE

As we celebrate National Education Week, we all have a role to play in strengthening these connections. Whether you’re a teacher, business owner, or community leader, you can make a difference. Here’s how:

G — Go Visit.

If you’re a business or community leader, contact your neighborhood school to arrange a visit or volunteer to read aloud in a classroom. Talk to teachers and students. Listen for ways you might help. If you’re an educator, reach out to a nearby business and explore opportunities for your students to go onsite and learn about local careers or industries.

I — Identify One Action.

Review your organization’s goals and find where they align with a school’s needs. Even one shared project, like mentoring students, supporting a robotics team, or hosting a Lunch & Learn, can make a lasting impact.

V — Value Your Partner.

Recognize your partnership publicly! Share shout-outs on social media, celebrate collaborative successes, and consider formally registering your school-business partnership with the Education Alliance. Recognition fuels momentum.

E — Experience Matters.

The most powerful learning happens through experience. If your business already provides financial support, take the next step, join a classroom project, mentor students, or host a job-shadowing day. If you’re already doing that, consider offering paid internships or apprenticeships that deepen hands-on learning.

43 Years of Impact–and Counting

For over 43 years, The Education Alliance has been helping schools and businesses connect for student success. From our earliest partnerships to today’s cutting-edge collaborations, we’ve seen the difference these relationships make — not only for students but for local economies and communities.

Just this year, the 2025 Hope for the Future School-Business Partnership of the Year Awards spotlighted extraordinary examples: companies and schools that are reimagining what’s possible in the Mountain State when education meets innovation. These stories remind us that when businesses invest in education, they are investing in the future workforce, and in West Virginia’s long-term prosperity.

Looking ahead, we invite schools and businesses to apply for the 2026 School-Business Partnership of the Year Awards, launching in January. It’s an opportunity to celebrate your collaboration, inspire others, and strengthen our collective commitment to preparing every West Virginia student for a successful future.

As we celebrate this National Education Week, let’s reaffirm our shared belief in the power of education and in the partnerships that sustain it. Together, educators, families, and businesses can ensure every student is thriving and ready for success.

When we invest in our schools, we invest in our state’s most valuable resource, its people. And when we partner for education, we build a stronger West Virginia for generations to come.

Amelia Courts, Ed.D., is president & CEO of The Education Alliance.