AdoptAClassroom.org awarded 20 high-needs teachers across the country with a $500 school supply grant. Teachers will use their grant to purchase school supplies and learning tools from the AdoptAClassroom.org Vendor Marketplace, whether they are teaching in the classroom or virtually from home. This round of grant funding will benefit nearly 500 students.
In a typical year, our nation’s teachers struggle to provide their students with everything they need to learn and succeed. Many spend an average of $745 per year out of pocket on classroom supplies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers are spending even more. This past spring, the average teacher spent $253 just to support their students’ distance learning needs. This is in addition to the $700+ they would normally spend on classroom supplies for the year.
Ruben, a first grade teacher in Inglewood, CA, is one of the high-needs teachers who received a $500 school supply grant for his classroom. With his grant, Ruben was able to purchase notebooks, pencils, dry erase markers, and other basic classroom supplies so his students have what they need to engage in their learning.
“The majority of my students are English-language learners, and approximately 94% receive free or reduced-price lunch. It is such a challenge teaching in a low socioeconomic school because of the lack of resources. I often have to buy materials with my own money, and it tends to be very costly. Especially now with school closures due to the pandemic, many students do not have essential supplies to complete basic homework exercises.”
Ruben – Inglewood, CA
Lori, an elementary school art teacher in Tunica, MS, also received a $500 school supply grant. She will use her grant to provide each of her students with the art supplies they need to participate fully while distance learning.
“My school is a Title I school with students getting 100% free breakfast/lunches. I am very lucky if my students are equipped with basic materials. The budget for my classroom is the same as all the other classes, but I see the whole school and art supplies are expensive. Sometimes we must limit the types of projects I wish for them to create due to budget reasons.”
Lori – Tunica, MS
Congratulations to all of the recipients of the 2020 High-Needs School Supply Grant.
If you want to help ensure high-needs students have the learning supplies they need during this challenging time, please consider a gift to our COVID-19 Relief Fund. All donations help us support students and teachers who are lacking the technology and PPE they need for a safe and successful school year.
We are thrilled to announce the following 2020 High-Needs School Supply Grant recipients:
- Tammy Anderson – Butcher-Greene Elementary School – Grandview, Missouri
- Clara Arcadia – Hurley Elementary School – La Puente, California
- Patricia Castro Sanchez – Eneida M. Hartner Elementary School – Miami, Florida
- Cynthia Cen – Francisco Middle School – San Francisco, California
- Summer Cross – Allen Elementary School – Bow, Washington
- Ruben Garcia – Moffett Elementary School – Inglewood, California
- Brittany Greenup – Miami Jackson High School – Miami, Florida
- Stacey Higgins – Crim Elementary School – Bowling Green, Ohio
- Marcella Lopez – Frank Del Olmo Elementary School – Los Angeles, California
- Lori Lucas – Tunica Elementary School – Tunica, Mississippi
- Cyndi MacDonald – Ben Painter Elementary School – San Jose, California
- Jennifer Nelson – Waverly Elementary School – Albany, Oregon
- Mabel Perez – Everglades K-8 Center – Miami, Florida
- Patricia Perez – Las Positas Elementary School – La Habra, California
- Fritz Randolph – Centennial Middle School – Yuma, Arizona
- Noemi Rosario – East Hill Elementary School – Kent, Washington
- Cheryl Sato – Towne Avenue Elementary School – Carson, California
- Jennifer Sutton – Mary Ford Elementary School – North Charleston, South Carolina
- Natalie Thomas – Innovation Charter School – Pompano Beach, Florida
- Alicia Walker – Lady Bird Johnson Middle – Irving, Texas
- Angela Williams – Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School – Orangeburg, South Carolina
- Jessica Wood – Harvey N. Dondero Elementary School – Las Vegas, Nevada