You might have noticed tucked into my sidebar a link to Teach For America, as one of the places I can be found. It's true I'm not found in the classroom anymore, but I'll always be a Teach For America alum, and more importantly, I will always be an education advocate. I think about my students often (and in fact, still have "first day of school" anxiety dreams any time something big is coming my way). The photo above is of my first class of third graders, and was taken in 1999.
Teaching my third graders was probably the biggest responsibility I have ever taken on, and probably will remain at the top of my list for a long time. In many schools, like the high-poverty school where I was a teacher, it is a responsibility teachers shoulder alone. DonorsChoose.org is one way teachers can reach beyond the four walls of their classrooms (or trailers, as appropriate) to let people in the wider community know what it is they and their students need.
During the month of October, DonorsChoose has organized a blogger challenge (Shallange!!). The competition is complete with a leaderboard just for knitbloggers - check out who's already on there! Well, Fig and Plum is not to be left on the sidelines this time!
I have selected four good projects that need your help to happen. All of them are for students in the classrooms of New York City TFA teachers, who are energetic and inspired, but whose students lack basic tools for learning, like books and science equipment. You can choose to support any of them, and donate in an amount of your choosing.
Click here to check out my chosen projects and please please please, support them!
I'll be posting our progress periodically here. And folks, let's not let Rose-Kim embarrass us, m'kay? ;-)
ps: a sneak peak at my first sweater pattern, The Morehouse Cowl!
DonorsChose is a wonderful place to donate.
Posted by: Debbie at October 4, 2008 9:23 AMAwesome! I signed up for that a few years ago, but never really kept up with it. I shall do so again if/when I'm back in the classroom. Do you realize your first students are now seniors in high school, and some of mine are 25?!
Posted by: Jolt at October 4, 2008 9:40 AMThis is such a great cause! How can I not get behind 'Cirque du Freak' books?? Good Luck with your challenge.
Posted by: Heather at October 4, 2008 11:37 AMAwesome! As a future teacher (and even if I wasn't) I will definitely participate :o)
Posted by: Julia at October 4, 2008 2:56 PMHi,
I've been reading your blog for a while now but have never commented before; I think this is such a great charity idea that you brought up; I can't wait to donate! Also, I know this late but I was looking at Ravelry today and saw this cowl pattern and remembered you were looking for one (if you wanted more inspiration): http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/90-chic-cables-and-lace-cowl-neck
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah at October 4, 2008 7:47 PMCongratulations on your participation in Teach for America. My son didn't make the cut, and was miffed for a while, but got a similar job teaching inner city kids in BeanTown. Two weeks ago a TFA acceptee (fiance of a family friend) suicided in NYC. I'm wondering if the kinds of standards TFA has fails to look for sufficient personal resilience -- over emphasizing academic achievement.
Posted by: PainterWoman at October 4, 2008 10:05 PMWhat a great cause - and the donation set up is really good, so nice to see directly what project you are giving to.
Posted by: Sarah at October 7, 2008 2:20 AMYay, the Morehouse emerges! Does this mean you can buy more at Rhinebeck now? ;)
Posted by: Jessica at October 7, 2008 11:44 AM