Hi all! Life has been crazy, and I haven’t been active on the blogosphere for a month. (Around the time that I accepted the teaching position a few days before the school year started!)
*** Please pardon the wonky formatting. I don’t know why my blog’s doing this. I’ll try to get to get it fix ASAP. ***
I was assigned to teach English IV and two creative writing electives. Planning for three classes has kept me busy, but I love working with the students (as much as they can frustrate me sometimes). One of my old roommates from my year at Seminary commented that teaching seems life-giving for me, and that’s the perfect description for how I feel about my job. It energizes me and gives meaning to my life. A part of me regrets that it took a year off for me to realize this, but at the same time, I believe the year off was vital for my growth as a human and as a teacher.
Thank you so much to everyone who has donated thus far to my classroom.
Thanks to you, I have a humble start to my classroom library and much needed office supplies to use with my students. As I mentioned in my last post, the previous teacher didn’t leave anything for me, and my school hasn’t been able to provide resources. In fact, anything I’ve received has been from reaching out to the community and other teachers, so THANK YOU once more!
[For student thank you letters, please scroll to the end of this post.]
Updated Needs
Games for Club Activities
At this time, one of my highest needs is in donations of games (card games, board games, puzzles, etc.). Many of my students who stay for club activities don’t have anything to do at home, so they procrastinate going home.
Last Tuesday, my car broke down. Fortunately, I was able to find rides to and from work for the rest of the week, so I didn’t have to take an off day. On one such day, a friend was delayed in picking me up. Most of my anime club students stayed with me until 6 p.m. One even stayed until 7 p.m. playing games with me since he goes home to an empty house. Since so many students stayed late that day, I’ve extended anime club hours to 6 p.m. two days a week (a group actually ended up staying until 6:30 p.m. this past Monday) to allow the students more time to engage in club activities. I also stay with the gaming club until 6 p.m. on Fridays. (Students involved in anime club also participate in gaming club.)
Games are especially beneficial for the students because they teach them communication and social skills. Many of the anime club members love strategy games (one of them actually wants to be a lawyer), and I’m looking for a variety of games to build various additional skills.
I would greatly appreciate donations of gently used games. I’ve also added some games to my classroom Amazon wishlist if anyone would be interested in helping out but doesn’t have any to donate. Anything purchased off that list will be sent directly to me, and I’ll bring them to my classroom for my anime / gaming students. I’ve talked with students about bringing in more games into my classroom, and they’re looking forward to having a wider selection of games to play.
A Working Projector
I’m currently using a projector that another teacher found for me, but it has poor image quality. It’s not working well with Powerpoints much less other forms of media. My school isn’t able to provide a working one, so it looks like I’ll need to purchase one myself. Since I sponsor the anime club and also stay with the gaming club, I need one that has good image quality and small lag time. Based off my initial research, this can cost around $900.
Would you happen to know of anyone who has a working projector that they don’t need anymore?
I am also accepting donations to go towards this. I added Amazon gift cards to my wishlist and am also open to accepting donations via other means.
(Note: I looked into various fundraising sites like Go Fund Me and Donors Choose, but at least 15% of the money isn’t seen by the actual people I’m hoping to benefit – my students. For an expensive item like this, I’m hoping to minimize the costs needed to go into it. If it’s any reassurance, I’ve already spent several hundred dollars of my own money and donated many of my personal items to get my classroom started.)
Other classroom needs
- 1-2 tall lamps
- 2 table lamps
- plants to decorate the room
- motivational / reading / language arts posters (low priority, but nice to have)
- a mini fridge (to store snacks for club activities)
- books to build a classroom library (I have a separate Amazon wishlist for this and am entirely open to books not on this list! There are so many good books out there.)
- games for anime/gaming club students to play
- 5-subject spirals (for students who cannot afford supplies)
- Class set of small whiteboards
My Mailing List
I know that there are people who enjoy hearing from the people to whom they make donations. If anyone would like to be added to my mailing list, I’m planning on sending email updates in addition to what I post on my blog about ongoings in my classroom and any classroom needs that come up as the year goes. These emails would be no more than once or twice a month.
Concluding Thoughts
As I work in a low-income area, my school is severely lacking in resources. I’ve learned that I need to reach out to the community to provide for my students.
Once more, thank you so much for your support! I appreciate anything that you are able to help with.
My students also appreciate the support. Here are a few letters (selected from many) to conclude this post:
~ Crystal
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Aleen~Lampshade Reader says
This is such a heartwarming thing you’re doing. I’ll see what I can do to help.
Crystal says
Thank you so much, Aleen. I appreciate the support!
Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts says
Aww, sounds like you’re having a blast despite being busy! I’m so glad everything worked out for you in regards to getting books and rides to work, and hope things continue to look upward! Keep us updated! ❤️
Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts says
Oof I forgot to add (to be honest, my iPad decided to hit POST COMMENT before I was done (RUDE), I hope all of your needs will soon find a home in your classroom as you continue in the school year. ☺️
Crystal says
Thank you, Sophia 🙂
Crystal says
Thank you so much, Sophia. Life has been crazy, but I will post an update soon!
ShootingStarsMag says
Thanks for the update. I’ll have to see what I can donate! I love that you included a few letters from your students – that’s really sweet. And it’s awesome of you to have clubs open later in the evenings for students who have nothing else to do/go home to empty houses.
-lauren
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Lauren! I love my anime/gaming kids. They’re a great group 🙂
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer says
I love that you are putting together this wonderful learning environment for your students.
Crystal says
Thanks, Kimberly 🙂
Melliane says
Good luck for everything!
Crystal says
Thank you so much, Melliane!
Kimberly @ Book Swoon says
I think what you are doing with the kids is wonderful! Hopefully, some of these much-needed items will find a home in your classroom soon.
Crystal says
Thank you so much, Kimberly!