Helping Hands

There is one truth about teaching. No matter what you do, you will never be enough. It’s a simple and unfortunate reality.

The past month has taken more out of me than my 6 years in the profession. Kids have joined my Zoom meetings from the car their parent is living in. Parents have broken down in ways I’ve never seen. Kids send me messages about being scared and missing school. No matter what I do, I will never be enough.. No teacher ever can be.

A phone call I had yesterday keeps eating at me. I called to check in and see how school was going. The response I got was “I’ve lost both of my jobs and haven’t been able to jump through the hoops for unemployment yet. I can apply for a stocking job, but how will I support my family on $10 an hour. I’m a single mom with 2 kids. I’m doing the best I can, but I don’t know what I’m going to do. Don’t worry, I’ll try and help her with her math assignment tonight.”

My heart sank asI listened. I come from a single mom. What would we have done? She would have figured it out, because she always did, but at what cost? There were many angels that crossed our path at the exact right moment. Money would appear in places we never thought to look. 

I can now try to pay forward the blessings that were afforded my family in our time of
need. I can’t do it alone though.

I am gathering funds to purchase gift cards     that I can distribute at my discretion to kids and families in my class that I know need it the most.

$5 can buy a gallon of milk, some bread, and Raman noodles. 

I know times are tough, and money is tight, but if you have a few extra dollars to spare,
I promise it will go towards lending a helping hand.