Did you have a teacher when you were young that helped change your life? I had one, and to this day I remember enjoying that class more than all the others, learning more, and growing more. Teachers can change lives, that statement hit home about two years ago, when my son who has cerebral palsy moved schools, and I was finally able to get Caite into another school. They have both changed and grown, and it is because of their teachers. My son, Bud has always been blessed with wonderful teachers, but his recent move helped him in ways we did not know were possible. Two years ago he moved schools, the first 4 or 5 months were hard on him, he did not like the teachers because they made him work, and he was used to being pampered by his old teacher. Once he realized they were there to help him, and he opened his heart, he began to grow more than I ever thought possible.
My son went from 1 word answers (yes, no, okay) to telling me whatever he wants to say. He now tells people, “Thank you for coming to see me,” or another famous one is “Mom, can you please get me pizza for dinner.” Every now and then he has to stop and really think about what he is going to say, but it’s not long before the words come out of his mouth. Our biggest problem now is getting him to stop talking lol.
Its more than talking, it’s his attitude, he is more willing to try, and a happier person. His teacher also does special little things for them, which come out of her own pocket. Each Friday that they have a great week she gets them all juice and another treat to take home for themselves. Well Bud, always want to bring one home ofr his sister too, and his teacher now sends home two juices and two sweet treats. She doesn’t have to do things like this, she does it becasue it makes a difference. She also spends her own money on other things for the classroom if needed, and there are so many other teachers doing the same thing. Catie, dear sweet Catie. She has been through so much in her 15 years, and every single day she manages to become a better person inside and out. When she was in 7th grade, the horrible teenager started to come out. She was hanging with people she shouldn’t have, and some other things happened so we moved her schools. it took me a year, to get her where she is now, and it was worth every bit of the wait. Catie was not happy with the move when she first learned about it, but that all went away the very first day of school. On the first day of school she came home, I do not remember the last time she was so excited about school. She kept telling us how awesome the teachers are, that it’s like family away from family. Everyone made her feel welcome. Here we are two years later, and this little girl is making A’s and B’s and is turning into the most amazing teen.
I don’t think she has one teacher, who doesn’t care, who doesn’t try, or who isn’t willing to do anything to help their students, and it shows in my daughter. She is finally confident in who she is, and if she feels her grades are slipping she is already staying after school with one of her teachers when we find out. She has a lot to look forward to, and a whole lot of people who back her up. The difference in my daughter today, and two years ago is night and day. When I think about everything these teachers have done for my kids it brings tears to my eyes, because as parents we can only do so much. Sometimes they need it from someone else, who isn’t their parents. Catie told me it helped so much, because these people didn’t have to care like her parents, they cared because they wanted to. These teachers have changed her life, she is not the same person, she is a more confident person with goals.
Teachers Can Change A Child Life! My son talks more and does more because of his teachers. My daughter is a different person, who is more focused on college and her grades, because of her teachers. Something all these teachers have in common, they spend money out of their own pockets to do things for the kids.
I have two aunts who are teachers, and my sister-n-law is one of the best teachers I have ever meet. They all care so much about their students, and want nothing but the best. They too spend money out of their own pocket, and my sister-n-law dedicates a certain amount of each one of her checks to things she needs for her students. It is heartwarming to know a teacher cares that much, I also wonder what these teachers would be capable of with more funding.
Teacher’s spend money every single year out of their own pocket, especially in underfunded areas. Teachers are going above the call of duty in the classroom for our children, and we can help them do more by donating. Think about how far your $5 donation will go, if 10,000 other parents donate something as small as $5. Take a second and watch this YouTube video about David Vixie who is a teacher in Paradise, California. He believes that learning should extend outside the walls of the classroom. David teaches his students to learn from experience and provides them with new adventures every class period. His goal is to help students think differently, and come to their own conclusions.
You can donate to the teacher highlighted in the video, jump over to Office Depots YouTube Channel and watch the rest, donate to one of the teachers in those videos, or you can donate to your local community. How to Register Your Classroom as a Teacher
- Go to Teachers Change Lives website
- Click on the red box that says “Register Your Classroom,” which will take you to the Adopt-A-Classroom website
- Follow the corresponding steps from there
How to Donate to a Teacher
- Go to Teachers Change Lives website
- Click on the teal “Donate to a Teacher” box on the Teachers Change Lives website, which will take you to the Adopt-A-Classroom website
- Follow the corresponding steps from there
Adopt-A-Classroom is an amazing non-profit organization which helps to connect donors with teacher to enhance the learning environment of students. Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom have partnered to help raise awareness about teachers, and everything they do for our children.