Hello, friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters!

My name is Jessica Marzan and I'm thrilled (and a bit nervous!) to be starting my first year as an English teacher at a district 10 in New York City . After years of dreaming about inspiring the next generation of readers, writers, and thinkers, I'm finally stepping into the classroom. But as many educators know, especially in underfunded schools, the reality hits hard: teachers often pay out of pocket for basic supplies, and with inflation and budget cuts, it's tougher than ever.

This school year, starting in just a few weeks, I'll be teaching 10th grade who are eager to dive into stories that spark imagination, essays that build confidence, and discussions that foster empathy. However, without essential supplies, it's challenging to create an engaging, inclusive learning environment. That's why I'm reaching out to you—my amazing community—through this GoFundMe. Your support will directly provide the tools my students need to thrive, turning my classroom into a hub of creativity and growth and comfort for all my students.

Why Your Help Matters Now

As a new teacher, I'm passionate about making English come alive—not just rote lessons, but interactive experiences that help students find their voices. Unfortunately, many of my students come from low-income families and face barriers like limited access to books or technology at home. Public school budgets cover the basics, but they fall short on the "extras" that make a real difference. Last year alone, teachers nationwide spent an average of $750+ of their own money on classroom needs—I'm determined not to let that burden limit what I can offer my kids.

With your donations, we can stock up on:

- **Books and Reading Materials**: Diverse novels, poetry collections, and graphic novels (e.g., classics like "To Kill a Mockingbird" alongside modern voices like "The Hate U Give") to build a classroom library that reflects my students' backgrounds and interests.

- **Writing Supplies**: Notebooks, pens, markers, and whiteboards for journaling, group brainstorming, and creative projects.

- **Tech and Visual Aids**: A class set of headphones for audiobooks, posters for vocabulary walls.

- **Inclusive Resources**: Sensory tools for neurodiverse students, bilingual dictionaries for English language learners, and motivational incentives like stickers or small prizes to celebrate progress.

- **Flexible Fund for Emergencies**: Anything unexpected, like field trip contributions or hygiene items for students in need.

Our goal is $[700-Y 1,500]—every dollar counts! For example:

- $10 buys a set of notebooks for group writing activities.

- $50 adds 5-10 books to our library.

- $100 covers art supplies for book report posters or poetry.

I've already invested my own savings in basics like lesson plans and decor, but together, we can go further. This isn't just about me—it's about giving young people the resources they deserve for a brighter future. I will teach 4 cohorts with about 38 students in each classroom.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in education and in these incredible students. Let's turn pages and change lives together!

With gratitude,

jessica Marzan

New English Teacher

[929-474-3628 or email [email redacted]]

P.S. GoFundMe takes no fees from education campaigns like this, so 100% of your donation (minus payment processing) goes straight to supplies. If we exceed our goal, extra funds will go toward advanced resources like guest author visits or writing workshops!