Help Covid kids become lifelong readers

Hi, I'm Miss Monteiro. I teach high school English in Montreal. I started teaching right around the pandemic. I love my job, even though it comes with many challenges, I love bringing joy and knowledge to students, especially the Covid kids.

Covid kids is a term coined for the kids that were out of school during the pandemic and experienced the rocky road of masks, remote learning, lack of socialization and the emotional turmoil of the last few years. I have kids whose parents lost their jobs, separated, have mental health issues, even died. Add to the mix an overdependence on screens, increased absenteeism and behavioural issues; education has seen its all-time low in staff retention and an all-time high in teacher burnout.

As you all know, the public system doesn't doll out money easily to buy teaching materials. I'm asking for funds to buy graphic novels for my classroom. I have never seen kids with such poor writing skills, they just don't read anymore. Graphic novels have been shown to engage young readers. This will help build their concentration, develop their literacy skills and boost their self-esteem when they see their grades lift.

A big reason my books don't get approved is that I have yet to become a permanent teacher at the school board. This means I can move to another school each year until that happens. Very stressful. My administration is less inclined to approve my budget and chooses to fund permanent teachers. But my students need books now, whether or not I'm permanent.

I buy second-hand books that are more affordable and better for the environment, but because they don't come from approved retailers that sell the same books at double the price, I have to pay out of pocket.

With your donations, I will buy books and keep them as my own collection. As I change schools, the books will travel with me and reach more students. I plan to buy about 40 different books with the 500$. I buy from websites such as bookoutlet and thriftbooks. I also check out second-hand stores in my neighbourhood.

I plan to purchase a variety of books that are classics in graphic novel format, culturally diverse, historical and inclusive. I keep in mind the interests of boys, girls and non-binary. In my experience, the boys have a harder time reading. Of course, my book list will have plenty to offer the girls too.

I also accept book donations and recommendations. My students are aged 13-16.

Thank you so much for your help.