Hello. I am Alison B. I have been an educator for over 32 years, primarily teaching art, in a variety of settings. Presently I teach in a community library. Libraries have always been close to my heart. I was a library kid. I love the library, but the fact is, the pay is not great. Also, I work 30 hours a week without the benefits of full time employment. While this gives me some time each week to make art and have that gift in my life, lately, it's a struggle to make ends meet.

However, I believe so strongly in what I do! Not just connecting to the patrons at the library - but I believe that EVERYONE deserves access to the arts! I believe the arts heal and help us in a million ways. I see teaching as a service to my community, but we all know everyone's needs are high right now and there is a lot of emotional labor in working with the public in this way. But, still, I love it.

That said, 32 years in I was looking for the right thing to enrich my practice and reinvigorate me. I found The Educators' Neighborhood a yearly cohort of educators facilitated by the Fred Rogers Institute. I grew up watching Mr Rogers daily and he was my friend. Fred said I was special, and I felt it and I believed it. I was lucky to grow up with parents who shared Mr Rogers' ideas on how children grow and learn and thrive. I am honored to have been accepted and also awarded a partial scholarship to be a part of the Educators' Neighborhood 2025-2026 international cohort. However, there is still the other half of the fee. Also, since my job will not reimburse me or financially support this professional development opportunity so I will miss 32 paid, working hours to participate.

So I have decided to come to you, my community. Will you help me raise the money I need to attend this amazing opportunity? I promise to give back for as long as I can! Maybe I have taught with you, or taught your young artist or maybe you knew my educator parents and learned from them? I don't know what your reasons may be but I am really hoping you are moved to share a few bucks towards this goal so I can take advantage of this unique opportunity and continue to teach the arts with kindness, curiosity and care. Thanks.

"Educators' Neighborhood is a community inspired by the enduring life's work and legacy of Fred Rogers. Over the past five years, we have had the privilege of extending this unique opportunity to nearly 700 educators from around the world. At its core, Educators' Neighborhood is a space where educators come together to learn from one another and draw inspiration from Fred Rogers' timeless work."