Dear Friends,
The last six weeks have been a whirlwind: we have served 1,081 individual teachers, giving away $393,195.25 in resources and supplies. What I love best about these numbers, is that behind every item, every teacher, every classroom, there is a story. The email I received this week from Ingrid Murray tells such a beautiful story of thanks, appreciation and joy for our team and for this work. I couldn’t keep this one to myself. I encourage you to read Ms. Murray’s letter which she graciously allowed me to share, about how sometimes, love is in the form of a wobble stool.
– Alison
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Mrs. Kling I am the In School Suspension Monitor for Endeavor Elementary. I work with students who are assigned to In School Suspension. I also have additional duties of working with students whose behavior sometimes get in the way of learning. As I work with these kids and providing opportunities for improvement we sometimes go to my room. My room also serves as a safe place for those kids to “land” and utilize features in the room from the calm down area, reflection corner, or reading nook. Recently I borrowed a coworker’s wobble stool. While in my room with a student she immediately gravitated toward it. She took it from the book center, to the calm down area, to the reflection area. It followed her throughout areas in my room. There was a noticeable difference in her behavior while using this wobble stool. The rocking aspect seemed to soothe her. I had to have one! I went online and noticed they ranged from $50-$100. Insert your own broke teacher joke here. I didn’t have the money. We aren’t funded like typical teachers at the beginning of the year. I had already spent a lot of my own money. So then I thought of Free 2 Teach! My favorite organization that supports educators and support staff. I emailed sweet Ms. Jennifer Cummings about my current situation and need and told her my appt would be today. When I arrived she did her little magic behind the “Wizard of Oz” curtain (as we all call the curtain leading to the back where things are stored, sorted, etc) and came back with a wobble stool. Let me tell you those tears that formed in my eyes were happy tears. I was telling her how much this meant between my tears and she was just loving on me telling me how honored Free 2 Teach was they could support me and my not so traditional classroom. I also love and appreciate how receptive staff are to suggestions. Often I would look for social emotional books but they were mixed in with all other books. Now they have their own spot. I am always getting books from that area for students as well as adult books to continue my learning. Please please please know how much I appreciate all that your staff, volunteers and donors do to support us daily. The commitment to supporting us is amazing. I can do what I do daily knowing I have the support of Free 2 Teach. Again, thank you to everyone in your organization! Ingrid Murray |
This story shows how all of us working together make a difference. The stool was at our warehouse because a retired teacher brought it in, knowing we would find it a new home. Our amazing Store Manager, Jennifer, always goes above and beyond and leads an incredible team of volunteers who do the same. Our donors and supporters help us keep our lights on, our shelves stocked and our doors open. Together, we make sure that teachers like Ms. Murray not only have what they need, but feel supported and encouraged by the Free 2 Teach community. We are the place they turn to, and because of you, sometimes we have just the right item – or just the right stool! – to make their day. Thank you.