Do you want to help a teacher this school year? Today I’m sharing Teacher Wish Lists for teachers in low-income districts or Title I Schools. With the pandemic making teaching more different than ever before, teachers are using their own money to make necessary accommodations.
As a former teacher in an under-funded district, I remember the feelings of stress all too well when it came to a lack of supplies. I was grateful for DonorsChoose to help fund projects giving me and my students the tools we needed most.
The following teachers are in need! Please read a little bit about each educator and check out their Teacher Wish Lists below.
Tricia Harkins – Fifth Grade Teacher – New Haven Public Schools, CT
My name is Tricia Harkins and I have been a teacher in New Haven Public Schools for the last 26 years. I have been teaching in New Haven long enough that I am actually now teaching the children of former students. The day before yesterday I called a Grandma of many former students (and Mom to a former student as well) to ask the plan for the children she cared for. Would they be coming back if we had the hybrid plan or would they be doing distance learning? Grandma told me she wants to send them back desperately, but she has multiple myeloma and Grandpa has kidney disease. They both fear for their own health and there is just no way they can send them back. I will therefore be teaching them through distance learning.
The items I am requesting in my donors choose project are the online portion of the reading and writing program we use. I would love to tell you the district will be paying for these but it is just not in their budget. I am trying to get them because I want to do all I can to be the absolute best teacher I can be for the child I speak of and all of my students. These kids are already behind and this pandemic does not help the situation. If I can make a difference at all I have to try to do it.
Ms. Gonzalez – School Psychologist – Grades 3-5 – Meriden, CT
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households are in my school. I have the privilege of working with elementary school students through individual and group counseling sessions, as well as classroom lessons, and school wide initiatives. My hope is to expand my students’ opportunities to develop social emotional awareness through play therapy. Often times within my counseling sessions I do my best to include literacy by reading stories with my students that explore a common emotion we all experience. We will then transition into a craft or play activity to explore those feelings.
Aimee Robertson – Grade 1 – Meriden Public Schools, CT
I have been teaching in Meriden (all title 1 schools) my entire teaching career. This year (the start of year 20) will be as if I am teaching my first year all over again. I will be a district virtual grade 1 teacher. With some of the supplies on my list, I will be able to provide home kits for my students. These kits will allow the children at home the same access to materials their peers in the classroom have. I also have many picture books on my list. I have chosen these books in particular because they will help me to build a community of learners. Of course, that will look different from years past, but I want these kiddos to want to log into their lessons everyday! Since these children will come from schools throughout Meriden it is even more important to build a learning community because they do not know each other.
Ashley Epling – Grade 1 – Chesapeake, VA
My name is Ashley Epling and I am a first grade teacher at a Title 1 school in Chesapeake, VA. My school services a high population of students that receive free and reduced lunch. I have taught 10 years and am entering into my second year in 1st grade. I have taught 3rd for the majority of my teaching career. This coming school year I will be a 100% on-line teacher for 1st grade for my school. With this drastic change to normal instruction, I am trying to get a few items to help make it easier to teach at home. I am looking for a document camera and a dry erase easel for clear visuals for my students. This easel would ideally have a way to clip large chart paper for me to use during instruction so I could make anchor charts with my students. This would help me meet the needs of all my learners in an unprecedented upcoming school year.
If you want to nominate a teacher-in-need (or yourself) to be shared on CHB, please email me!
What I taught a great idea, Caitlin. I taught in a career education school where many students were free or reduced lunch. I will check with my former co-educators to see if they have what they need.