Helping millions of students stay on track and connected.

Arthur Camarillo never dreamed he could go into music production until Verizon Innovative Learning broadened his horizons and expanded his ambitions. "I want to get into filmmaking, acting and singing. I want to mix it all together using technology and art and creating it into one," he shared.

A recent graduate of Dr. Ralph Bunche Middle School in Compton, CA, Arthur was accepted into a top-performing arts high school. He credits the mentorship and guidance he gained from his VIL coach, Jose Gonzalez, for helping him succeed. "He's done so much for me and helped me figure out what I want to do with my life."

Arthur is one of many students who had their future transformed thanks to Verizon Innovative Learning and our commitment to bridging the digital divide. As teachers, students and their parents prepare for a very different school year, Verizon is once again stepping forward to address the barriers to digital learning and give students the education they deserve.

Connecting millions of students nationwide.

With millions of students across the country struggling to participate in remote learning, we are partnering with independent school districts such as Los Angeles Unified School District and sponsor states like Georgia's Department of Education, to offer discounted pricing and terms for unlimited 4G LTE Internet plans and other applications. Verizon's national distance learning initiative now provides Internet access for more than 36 million students across 38 states and the District of Columbia, whether they are learning 100% in the classroom, from home or through a hybrid model.

Expanding the reach of Verizon Innovative Learning.

During the 2020-2021 school year, Verizon's Innovative Learning program will expand to 101 Title 1 middle schools across the country, bringing the total number of middle schools to 254. For the first time, the program will include ten high schools, five in Compton, CA, and five in Irving, TX, boosting the STEM pipeline for students in these districts. The expansion will reach over 56,000 students, bringing the total number of students supported by Verizon Innovative Learning to 350,000 since the program launched in 2012.

Additionally, Verizon is partnering with Discovery Education to offer 30 Verizon Innovative Learning schools online resources for remote learning, including digital content, virtual personal development for teachers, and support from a dedicated Discovery Education team.

Supercharging remote learning.

Looking at the world right now, we need as many brilliant minds to have the tools and confidence to contribute to society, especially in the growing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. That's why Verizon recently launched the STEM Activity Center. Created in partnership with Project Lead the Way, the online toolkit will offer hands-on activities that students can leverage in or out of the classroom, helping teachers supplement their lesson plans. Parents can supplement at-home learning with activities focused on learning new skills like virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D design and more.

Through our partnership with Digital Promise, Verizon is also building teacher training pathways, a credentialed training program focused on digital skills, remote learning and digital coaching. The program will launch in October and open to all educators to become more efficient and effective with tech-integrated instruction. Learn more at CitizenVerizon.com/DigitalInclusion.

Verizon and The New York Times will continue to offer all students and teachers in high schools across the U.S. free access to NYTimes.com through September 1, 2021. Furthermore, Verizon is working with The Times’s Learning Network to provide teachers, parents and students with professional development resources, lesson plans, quizzes and webinars.

Bringing tomorrow's innovations into the classroom today.

While Verizon is committed to providing the immediate support needed to make this school year productive and equitable, it's also building for the future. Verizon Innovative Learning Labs, including VR and AR, robotics, and entertainment technology, are being built across the country. The power of Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband will come to life at select Verizon Innovative Learning schools.

Volunteer to help students stay on track.

Sharpen your pencils and offer your time to students in need through our Volunteer Portal. Here are a few virtual opportunities to help get you started:

Help students overcome learning gaps

UPchieve helps low-income students by increasing their access to academic support services like math tutoring and college counseling.

• Homework Help for Middle Schoolers (Math: Pre-Algebra)
• Homework Help for High Schoolers: Math and Science
• Online Mentoring: College Advice

Share your skills with expertise.

Nepris and CareerVilliage.org virtually connect students with industry professionals, offering real-world relevance and career exposure.

• Discuss Financial Literacy with Students
• Share career advice through Nepris and CareerVilliage.org

Support high school students in underserved communities.

NAF is a network of business and community leaders. Through the Virtual Guest Speakers Series, students will learn about different types of jobs to inspire their career paths.

Don't forget the discounts.

On top of a constellation of resources, Verizon offers discounts on unlimited wireless plans to teachers and enrolled undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate college students, and Fios internet plans to teachers. Included in the wireless discounts are six months of Todoist Premium. For more information, visit www.vzw.com/students and www.vzw.com/teachers.

Verizon Wireless and the NEA Foundation announced a new initiative, the Customer Bill Pay Charitable Donation Program, which will enable Verizon customers to round up their bill at www.vzw.com/teachers and give educators and students the tools and support they need for a productive school year.

Moving the world forward, for good.

These new commitments come on the heels of introducing Citizen Verizon, our plan for improving the world through economic, environmental and social advancement. With Citizen Verizon, we will provide 10 million young people with digital access and skills training to thrive in a modern economy.

Sitting in virtual classrooms is potentially the next scientist who will protect us from a future pandemic or make a discovery that will change countless lives. As long as students have the support needed to thrive, they will never have to scale down their ambitions or anchor their dreams. Students are the future, and we are committed to making an investment in them for a brighter tomorrow.

V Teamers, click here to join the conversation on VZWeb.