Mizzen Education

💡Your students have big, bold ideas that deserve a million-dollar stage!

The Dollar Challenge is the ultimate national pitch competition for kids and teens (K-12). Kids and teens dream up solutions, tackle real-world problems and present ideas that improve their very own schools, homes and communities.

All it takes is a simple 30-90 second video. No fancy editing. No special tools. Just their creativity, clarity, and courage. Students can enter solo or in teams of up to three, and entries are due February 27, 2026.

Learn more at mottmillion.org

💻 PLUS, we have free, easy-to-access learning activities you can use with your students to spark their ideas and help them prepare. Simply go to mizzen.org, search entrepreneurship, or filter by "Future Ready: Learning and Earning."

As we wrap up 2025, reflected on a year of monumental growth, from a powerful new platform to running routines. 💪

We came together with our community to glow up the Mizzen platform, release exciting new learning experiences, and cross personal and professional milestones that were a long time coming! 🎉

Thank you for joining us on this journey to spark joy, curiosity, and connection for all youth. 💜

What major milestones did Team Mizzen cross? What challenges have we conquered? How will our team and community ?

Discover the answers in our blog: https://landing.mizzen.org/the-mizzen-minute/running-races-going-new-places-and-chasing-inspiration

With the holidays upon us, lesson planning for January might feel overwhelming—but don’t worry. From January 26 to February 1, has you covered!

Kick off the new year by showing how Color Inspires Creativity through fun celebrity videos, free activity and planning guides, daily giveaways, and more. 🎨

Mizzen is proud to partner with Crayola to celebrate exploration, creativity, and expression, and we can’t wait for January.

Get a head start on the new year! Sign up for free at https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week?utm_source=mizzen_edu&utm_id=ccw2026 . 🖍️

We reached and exceeded our goal of $5,000, and it’s all thanks to you! 🥳

High-quality resources. Time-saving tools. Learning experiences for all.

Because of your generosity, these will remain completely FREE for educators.

Whether you made a one-time donation, signed up as a recurring giver, or shared this campaign with others: thank you. You have impacted the lives of out-of-school educators and youth across the country. 🧡

It’s not too late! may have been yesterday, but there's still time to champion change. 💪

Every day, out-of-school time educators spark curiosity, confidence, and connection for millions of young people.

When you give to Mizzen, you put FREE, high-quality learning resources and planning tools directly into the hands of educators.

You have the power to transform OST! : give today at https://givebutter.com/mizzendonate. 🌟

Today’s the day! Join us in standing with out-of-school time educators this 🎉

Every day, Mizzen levels the playing field for over 25,000 out-of-school youth champions.

Because when educators have the tools, time, and inspiration they need, young people thrive.

As Aulton D. says, “[the Mizzen platform] takes a huge load off our staff and they have more time to focus on the kids.”

When you donate today, you keep these tools completely FREE for champions like Aulton.

! Visit https://givebutter.com/mizzendonate to donate and keep OST going.

Already donated? Share this post to increase your impact! 📣

“The lesson plans and project ideas [on Mizzen] are creative, flexible, and designed to keep students excited about learning.” - Dennis Perry,

At Mizzen, we keep educators going. We empower them to power learning for youth across the country.

To date, 25,000+ educators have used Mizzen to bring learning to life for more than 560,000 youth—from big cities to small towns, and every corner in between.

And they’re not alone. 6,000 organizations and afterschool networks in all 50 states are part of this growing community of out-of-school time champions.

Because when educators have the tools, time, and inspiration they need, young people thrive.

on impact! https://givebutter.com/mizzendonate

As we approach the end of the year, how can an intentional, reflective pause make out-of-school learning more meaningful for children—and for ourselves?

This week, we’re winding down Mizzen’s Greatest Hits with kid-grit's feel-good, heart-smart activities. 💌

From morning warm-ups and lesson kick-offs to gentle brain breaks and end-of-day circles, these opening and closing activities help children grades K-5 ease in, connect, and make space for big feelings, empathy, and positive self-talk.

Explore emotions, ground in the moment, and build kindness skills for your young ones to use as they gather with family and friends.

Take a soft break this holiday season to focus on intention, self-reflection, and joy! Check out all 20 activities at https://mizzen.org/collaborators/kid-grit. 🍂

is Jan 26 - Feb 1, 2026…and it's bigger than ever! 🎉

We’re proud to partner with Crayola Learning to celebrate exploration, creativity, and expression.

We can’t wait for January—and if you can’t wait either, then get a head start on creativity with free, hands-on activities from Mizzen!

Explore imagination, self-expression, and curiosity with your learners by:

🎨 Shaping your own touch-and-feel book
🎨 Drawing an animal habitat
🎨 Designing landscape ceramic tiles
🎨 Crafting emotions into paper sculptures

Dive into the activities at mizzen.org!

Eager for more? Save your spot for resources from Crayola and sign up for Crayola Creativity Week at https://bit.ly/48jXXjz 🖍️

Lights, camera…news! Ready to make media literacy fun? 🎬

This week in Mizzen’s Greatest Hits, we’re “Building a NewsHour” with PBS News Student Reporting Labs. Designed for grades 3-5, this 6-part collection helps young learners grow as creatives, communicators, and storytellers. 🎤

Students will learn to spot trustworthy sources and shape audience perception while pitching story ideas, crafting interviews, and recording segments. Through these hands-on, out-of-school activities, you’ll watch your students build empathy, curiosity, and confidence. ⭐

That’s your cue! Get rolling on all 36 lessons at mizzen.org. 🎥

There’s still time to register for Mizzen Meets: The EJS Project!

Join us for Mizzen Meets as we spotlight youth and mentors who are redefining community-minded career development in out-of-school time! Executive Director Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson, Jr., Director of Operations Joeniseley “Jojo” Mathurin, and three inspiring student leaders will share how connection, confidence, and community guide their journeys in the EJS Project’s “Purpose Pays” programming—and beyond.

Hosted by Angelina Garner, Mizzen’s VP of Strategic Innovation + Partnerships, this conversation explores how youth and adults can learn from one another to build purpose, vocational skills, leadership, and meaningful opportunities.

Be part of the conversation on November 13th at 4:30 p.m. EST to see how community meets career development—the EJS way!

RSVP now:
https://mizzen.org/mizzen-meets