dear emily,
hans and i hosted 20 'teach for america' teachers for dinner last week, and
it has taken me that long to recover. these kids (teachers) are fresh horses
placed in some of the worst stables in our country, and they get worn down
pretty quickly.
after dinner, they shared some of their experiences:
"remember that kid in your school who was always in trouble at the
principal's office (i thought of my husband) . . . that's all thirty of the kids
in my class."
"my kids come to school hungry, without jackets and without hope."
"i walked into my kindergarten classroom to find desks and nothing else
. . . no paper, no crayons, no blocks, no nothing."
get the picture? so, i have been praying and thinking for days. here's
my best plan: assign each new teacher to a church who will have people
willing to fill in the 'paper, crayon' gap and encourage the teacher with
prayers and assistance.
do you have any ideas?
love,
lea
"whatever you do unto the least of these, you have done unto Me."
matthew 25:40
hans and i hosted 20 'teach for america' teachers for dinner last week, and
it has taken me that long to recover. these kids (teachers) are fresh horses
placed in some of the worst stables in our country, and they get worn down
pretty quickly.
after dinner, they shared some of their experiences:
"remember that kid in your school who was always in trouble at the
principal's office (i thought of my husband) . . . that's all thirty of the kids
in my class."
"my kids come to school hungry, without jackets and without hope."
"i walked into my kindergarten classroom to find desks and nothing else
. . . no paper, no crayons, no blocks, no nothing."
get the picture? so, i have been praying and thinking for days. here's
my best plan: assign each new teacher to a church who will have people
willing to fill in the 'paper, crayon' gap and encourage the teacher with
prayers and assistance.
do you have any ideas?
love,
lea
"whatever you do unto the least of these, you have done unto Me."
matthew 25:40
15 comments:
How heart breaking. My oldest granddaughter is majoring in education and I want to shake her and say, "Are you sure?" But, I am so grateful for young people who still feel the call to teach and be an example to these precious little ones. I think your suggestion is excellent. Keep us posted on the implementation.
I sure love your idea. I don't know why it wouldn't work beautifully. Everyone loves to help and be part of something like this. I've clipped an article about sunday school classes 'adopting' one child from a homeless shelter in their city and giving that child a super duper birthday party on his or her birthday.This is where ideas are born Lea, and I sure like yours!
My mom worked with these types of volunteers and often felt so sad that some of the most generous and giving and promising young people were getting burnt out by the conditions they found themselves working in. I think your idea is fantastic!! All you need is a coordinator to make it happen.
We're doing that with a middle school near our church with most students living in poverty. I'm targeting the appeals to business people, who often don't have a way to connect to the church. So far we've gathered school supplies, science project kits, a commitment for track jackets, the promise of small scholarships, and mentoring for students and parents. Go for it ~ it's a wonderful way to love our neighbor. xo
I think your idea sounds great! In a large church, individual classes could take a teacher so one church could adopt several.
I have enormous respect for the Teach for America teachers. We're in bad shape if we can't improve public schools, and they're certainly doing their part.
Margaret
My mother in law works in a school such at the ones you mentioned.
About the jacket story though, I have to nag my kids to take their coats to school. They're just not interested. They say they're not cold etc, when they have an array of coats hanging up at home :-)
Your idea is a great one. I'm sure it'll make a difference.
our church does that..we have partnered up with disadvantaged schools in our area
I have been listening to teachers while work with them in the church nursery...it is a hard job, what I am noticing is that just listening and praying is also a big encouragement...a safe place for them to express their challenges
Thanks for doing this...it is needed...you are faithful!
anne: good point! my kids used to fuss
about their coats, too!
What wonderful ideas and suggestions! I would also recommend tissues, anti-bacterial gel, band-aides, and if possible underwear for the occasional classroom accident depending upon the classroom age. A special mug/cup for the teacher with a gift of herbal tea (a favorite of mine is Tazo Chai).
Then set up your own bulletin board and put a pix of your teacher on it along with specific prayer requests (mine is in the laundry room). Then pray! And pray some more.
Having a church group "adopt" a teacher sounds like a terrific idea. My son often buys the supplies for his classroom, too.
It seems to be the norm these days.
Blessings to you - Marsha
Oh my friend .. how my heart breaks for these little ones and their teachers. Your idea sounds like a wonderful starting point. I pray that there will be abundance to share with all the students in need. Blessings, C. (HHL)
Yes, I think that would be a great idea. Church's taking part in helping the classrooms that are hard hit by poverty. What a difference that would make to have a church praying over those classrooms!
Wonderful idea! It breaks my heart that children go to school hungry and without their needs being met.
xoxo, B
Hi Lea, of course we all must chip in and we do. It is heart breaking that kids go to school hungry in this country as if it were a third world country. It was no accident that you paid me a visit. I have read many of your posts and love your blog. I will follow you and put you on my blog roll. xo, olive
I pray that your idea works and hope the kids will have more supplies to use. It is so sad that some kids have the necessities....Christine
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