Support Ms. Longoria

My mom is Coach Longoria, Coach, “Longs,” or just Ms. Longoria. She needs your help. You may have heard she is no longer teaching at her school. After 30 years, she leaves with a grateful heart, and fond and warm memories of her time there. My mom touched the lives of so many students, players and even parents. Whether it was on the court or in the classroom, she was selfless and gave of herself time and time again. As a student in her class, and also a manager for her basketball teams, I was a first-hand witness to how great of a teacher and coach she is. I am blessed to know that many of my peers, and other students who came before and after me, loved and admired my mother (almost) as much as I do.

In those years of teaching and coaching, she would always get messages of gratitude from her players and students. She would share those with us maybe as her proof that she was making a difference in the lives of her students, even though we already knew that. She was always so humbled and grateful to receive those messages. Most people probably know that teachers aren’t getting rich in anything besides love and knowledge. Many say what really makes the job “worth it” is knowing that you have contributed to the greater good of the world and made a positive impact by teaching and working with young people. I think my mom would agree with this and that is the reason she and many others keep teaching despite wondering if they could make “better money” using their skills elsewhere. They could, but they don’t, because they find so much joy in being there, as a teacher, coach and a friend to others.

My mom has bounced back before and she will do it again. In my life, she has always been a model of a good work ethic, a passion for helping others, and an enduring strength through hardships. This is not an easy thing to ask. I’m just trying to help relieve some of the stress she is experiencing right now.

If my mom made a difference in your life, please consider helping her in any small way and sharing this request with your friends who she might have taught or coached. Your support, no matter what amount, will make a huge difference.

What will help my mom most right now is continued messages of support from her students and just knowing how much she is truly loved and, that all her time and effort she gave so selflessly, really mattered in your life.

Thank you so much for your support and your help in passing this special request along to your friends.

Most of all, please keep my beautiful mother in your prayers.

Most sincerely and with gratitude,

Clare Collum