Won’t You Be My Learning Neighbor? Sparking Innovation Through Cross-District Collaboration

Mister Rogers often used the number 143 to convey something special: “I love you.” There’s one letter in “I,” four letters in “love,” and three letters in “you.” On 143 Day–occurring on the 143rd day of the year–we honor Fred’s legacy by finding meaningful ways to show up for one another with love, kindness, and neighborliness.

That’s why today is the perfect day to announce our Learning Neighbor matches—new partnerships among school districts in Western Pennsylvania (where Fred Rogers was born and filmed his iconic television program) and their “neighbors” in school districts across America. Together, they’re all part of a special neighborhood of future-driven educators: the League of Innovative Schools. Their partnerships reflect the very spirit of 143 Day, connecting educators across distances to learn from and with each other to build a more hopeful future for every child.

– Gregg Behr, executive director of The Grable Foundation and co-author of When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids

What happens when you connect passionate, forward-thinking educators from across regional lines, provide them with funding, and ask them to dream big? You get Learning Neighbor partnerships—dynamic collaborations powered by innovation, rooted in community, and inspired by none other than Mister Rogers himself.

Together with The Grable Foundation, Digital Promise is thrilled to announce the first-ever Learning Neighbor matches between Western Pennsylvania school districts and fellow districts across the League of Innovative Schools. These cross-state pairings are more than just partnerships—they're bridges that connect diverse perspectives, unlock shared expertise, and spark bold, future-driven learning initiatives.

The Learning Neighbor matches are:

• Avonworth School District (PA) and Ephrata Area School District (PA)

• Baldwin Whitehall School District (PA) and Meriden Public Schools (CT)

• California Area School District (PA) and Yellow Springs Exempted Village SD (OH)

• Duquesne City School District (PA) and Teaneck Public Schools (NJ)

• Elizabeth Forward School District (PA) and Cherry Hill Public Schools (NJ)

• Fox Chapel Area School District (PA) and Franklin West Supervisory Union (VT)

• Hampton Township School District (PA) and New Hyde Park-Garden City Park UFSD (NY)

• Northgate School District (PA) and Englewood Public School District (NJ)

• Quaker Valley School District (PA) and Norristown Area School District (PA)

• Shaler Area School District (PA) and Eastern York School District (PA)

• South Allegheny School District (PA) Roselle Public Schools (NJ)

• South Fayette School District (PA) and Desert Sands Unified School District (CA)

Each Western Pennsylvania school district involved in the League has been awarded $10,143 to co-design a project with their Learning Neighbor. Whether they're tackling real-world learning, reimagining student engagement, or building new community ties, these teams are working shoulder to shoulder to create something meaningful.

“At the League, we know that the most powerful innovations emerge through collaboration, and that progress moves faster when we move together. Learning Neighbor partnerships connect local action to a national network, fueling ideas that don’t just take root, but grow and spread. It’s inspiring to see how these regional collaborations spark new thinking, scale impact, and create ripple effects that extend far beyond a single community,” - Jillian Doggett, director of network support at Digital Promise.

From launching elementary broadcasting studios that amplify student voice to developing training programs that prepare high schoolers for critical workforce roles, these projects reflect a commitment to advancing future-driven education for every learner. Other teams are designing inclusive robotics experiences for neurodiverse students, building student-run print labs that reinforce career readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, and even designing a hands-on Science of Food course to bring chemistry to life in the kitchen. Whether the focus is instructional coaching, AI-powered technology, or student-led professional development, these collaborations showcase the power of local context and national partnership to shape the future of learning.

Like Fred, these educators believe that deep, lasting change happens through relationships. By working together across communities, they’re building a more connected, compassionate, and innovative future—one grounded in the values that Mister Rogers lived every day.

🚀 What's Ahead?

These projects will take center stage at the League of Innovative Schools Spring 2026 Convening, where each team will share what they’ve created and learned together.

Congratulations to our matched districts! We can’t wait to see where your partnerships take you. Let’s continue to build, share, and grow together—just like good neighbors do.

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