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Dedicated Teacher Needs New Car

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My name is Laurah. I'm a public school teacher, working with English language learners and their teachers in Maryland. 

I love my job- working with students from all over the world and helping other teachers to improve their teaching craft is so rewarding. There's nothing better than that "Aha!" moment when you see the light of understanding come on in a child's eyes. Or, that moment when a child tells you your class is their favorite because you make "even the boring stuff fun". Those are the moments teachers strive for. I love being a teacher and wouldn't trade it for the world.


Almost as much as I love teaching, I love using my talents to help others. In the past few years, I have participated in numerous fundraising efforts for teachers, their students and their families . I also headed up TeachersHelpTeachers in the wake of hurricane Sandy to help teachers replace materials destroyed by the hurricane.  I'm always trying to find the need that hasn't been filled in a situation and doing what I can to fix it! Unfortunately, now I'm the one in need.

We came to Maryland in 2011 after I lost my teaching job in Charlotte due to budget cuts. One thing we weren't expecting (or used to) is the amount of snow here in the great white north. I don't think we've seen the grass for two weeks now, or had more than one full day of school since Valentine's Day! I've always been afraid of driving in the cold, icy, snowy times, but unfortunately, sometimes it can't be avoided. I did have winter tires to make it safer. 

On the way home one night recently, a patch of black ice grabbed the tires and it was all over. My '95 Maxima is totaled. Insurance isn't going to help- full coverage was more than twice the value of the car in a year.


I've always driven used cars and cared for them well. I've had my Maxima for 8 years now (it just turned 20!), and had planned to drive it for another two or three years, at least, while saving money for a new used car. To lose it now, without funds to replace it, (and without the proceeds that would have come from the sale of the Maxima) is beyond devastating. 

I could be fine with public transportation or walking, but my car is essential to my beloved job since my position requires me to visit schools all over the county (sometimes two or three in a day), meeting with teachers, working with students, assisting with assessment and leading workshops. Public transportation doesn't reach where I live, and would likely take a full workday to get to some of the schools I work with. I love my job dearly- and the teachers and students I work with. I would hate for this to cause me to be unable to perform the duties of my job.

Your donations would help to replace my Maxima with a sensible used car to get me to and from the various schools I work at. Any extra would help with inspection fees, titling/registration fees, and taxes. Please help me keep doing what I love most- helping teachers and students.

Because I never want to expect something for nothing, I've set up some special rewards for donors. If you're a fellow educator (or a parent looking for some educational materials to help your kiddos), your donation will get you materials of your choice from my Teachers Pay Teachers store (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Tools-For-Teachers-By-Laurah-J). If you're not an educator, your donation will get you a hand-crocheted item made by me. Every donor will receive a personalized Thank You note.

Every bit of help and support is appreciated (even a share on social media!).

Organizer

Lah Jurca
Organizer
Laurel, MD

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