Literacy Fund Honors Legacy of Beloved Educator Candace Cole

BAY COUNTY, FL – The Bay Education Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the Candace Cole Literacy Fund, created to honor the extraordinary legacy of Mrs. Cole, a dedicated reading coach whose quiet efforts changed the lives of Bay County students and teachers.

Mrs. Cole, known as Candy to those who loved her, was not just an educator. She was a force of compassion and commitment, especially for Title I schools. She worked closely with struggling readers and the teachers who served them, giving her time and heart to help the lowest performers build confidence and skills in literacy.

Candy spent a significant portion of her own paycheck purchasing books, literacy tools, and reading aids for the students who needed them most. She never asked for recognition. Her heart for education was expressed in action, not words.

In her later years, Candy served at Springfield Elementary, where her efforts helped the school move from an F and D rating to a C and B rating. Her influence went far beyond academics. She was a mentor, a coach, and a trusted voice to educators, students, and community members.

The Candace Cole Literacy Fund will support literacy initiatives across Bay District Schools, funding tools and resources that carry on the impact she made so quietly and powerfully. The fund is being launched with an initial gift from Candy’s family and friends, a reflection of the love and admiration she inspired throughout the community.

“Candy Cole embodied the very best of what it means to be an educator,” said Tim Prather, Board President of the Bay Education Foundation. “She poured her heart into students who needed it most and lifted up teachers alongside them. It is an honor for the Foundation to help carry out her legacy and ensure her passion for literacy continues to change lives for years to come.”

Donations can be made online at https://givebutter.com/CandaceCole.

All donations are tax-deductible and will directly support Bay County literacy programming.
Every donation up to $5,000 will be matched by a private donor.

This community has the chance to carry forward what Candy stood for - helping every child become a confident reader, no matter the odds.