Helen Guzman

A Quick Thank You Update! I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has supported my classroom fundraiser and wish list. I am honestly so touched by the generosity I’ve received. So many precious things have already made their way to my classroom, markers, glue sticks, pencils, beautiful books in Spanish, a bookshelf display that I thought would stay on my wish list for a long time, contributions toward the fundraiser, and so many other thoughtful supplies. Every package has felt like a little reminder that there are people rooting for me and for my students. As a bilingual teacher, being able to build a classroom where my students can see themselves, hear their language, find books they can connect with, and have the materials they need to learn means so much to me. I am going into this school year feeling incredibly grateful again and honestly SO excited. I really believe this is going to be an amazing year, and I can’t wait to see my students use and enjoy everything you’ve helped make possible! A quick reminder: a few of the wish-list gifts arrived without the gift receipt or name attached, so I don’t know who to thank personally! If you sent something and I haven’t thanked you yet, please let me know what you purchased so I can make sure I give you a proper, personal thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping me create a classroom that feels welcoming, joyful, and full of possibility. I’m so lucky to have you in my corner. Here’s to an amazing school year! Best, Ms. Guzman

Hello Friends and Family, I can hardly believe I’m starting my 3rd year of teaching! A few updates: this past spring, I graduated with my Master's in Bilingual Elementary Education. After two years of teaching full-time during the day and attending grad school at night, I can finally say I'm a fully licensed teacher. While I'm proud of myself, I know I couldn't have done it without the support of my community. The start of the new school year means I'm getting ready to welcome a brand new class of kindergartners. And I need your help to make sure they feel welcome and have the supplies they need to become confident and curious readers. Over the past two years, I've learned so much about how to teach kids to read and write in two languages. One of my favorite moments this year was watching a student go from struggling to recognize a single letter to reading his first decodable book. Another student, who never spoke in class, eventually was able to share her inner thoughts with me through her writing, showing me just how much she’d truly grown. This year, I'm setting my sights even higher. My students won't just learn pencil grip, letter formation, and numbers 1-10, they'll learn it all in two languages, from day one. I'm raising the bar for myself too, teaching from a brand new Spanish phonics curriculum and building my skills as a Spanish phonics teacher right alongside them. None of this happens without the right materials. This is why I'm raising money again this year, to stock my classroom with the books, supplies, and hands-on tools my students need to learn, explore, and grow. A big part of that is building a bilingual library, one that includes both fun decodable readers and stories where my students can see themselves. Here's how you can help: You can donate directly, or if you'd rather shop, check out our Amazon wish list. Help us stay healthy with Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer. Help us get organized with pencil boxes and timers. Help kids fall in love with reading by donating a reading teddy bear. Every little bit helps! Here's the link to our Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/8EVYHXZ6S39S?ref_=wl_share Thank you for believing in my students and me, year after year. I can't wait to share updates with you throughout the year. With love, Ms. Guzman

Hi all, I'm Helen Guzman, and I am a bilingual teacher in the South Bronx. This is my second year teaching, and I’ve learned so much! There have been both highlights and challenges, with one of the biggest being teaching children to read in not one but two languages without having books at their level or aligned with their interests. (FYI: Five years old are obsessed with Sonic and Stitch! ) That’s why I’m asking for your support. Help me purchase books that will spark my students’ imaginations while building a love for reading in both languages. My students are still learning to read in English and Spanish. To support their biliteracy, I’m raising funds to build a library with engaging, level-appropriate books on topics from sports to fantasy, in both languages. Help me create the bilingual classroom of my dreams, one book at a time. Please note: If you’d like to support in other ways, I also have a DonorsChoose page where I’m fundraising for flexible seating, as well as an Amazon wishlist where you can purchase books or supplies directly for our classroom. Every contribution, big or small, through any of these sites makes a difference for my students.