Photo: Lhys
Many, many years ago, I found my first role model. She was intelligent, strong, and beautiful – and I wanted to be just like her. She was my biology teacher and her name was Susan B. Bradley, or simply Mrs Bradley to me.
I had lots of really terrific teachers in the West Islip School District, but up until Mrs Bradley’s class, I had never really thought about being one. You know, when I became an adult. My teachers up until that point had mostly been good, but I never wanted to be one of them. But Mrs. Bradley’s passion for science and her fondness for her students, (and if we’re being completely honest here – her incredibly, cool knee-high boots) made me realize that teachers were real people. People that had dreams, just like I did, only their dreams led them to a career in education, while my dreams were still being figured out.
Photo: Melodi
Sadly, Mrs Bradley passed away that year and left a gaping hole in the hearts of so many people. And what her made a great teacher was that she really connected with her students. Every day, she came to class ready and able to educate us. She lit a fire in our bellies — all in the name of science. She made us want to come to class — because you never knew what would happen next. It didn’t matter if you were the smartest student or the funniest, or the quietest or the most obnoxious, she made you feel welcome in her classroom, which is why so many people still remember her name.*
It may seem overly dramatic to say that teachers change lives – but I really do believe this. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, as both a student and as an adult. I also believe that it just takes one teacher to make a difference in a child’s life, and like me, I’m sure that many of you can name at least one teacher that has made an impact on your life. Just like Stephen Ritz is making in the lives of some really lucky kids in the South Bronx.
Stephen Ritz is a teacher in the South Bronx. Stephen and his students built a tower garden in their classroom and turned it into a farm. He teaches his students how to go from seed to plate. Stephen hopes to help change schools in this generation, and fight juvenile diabetes and childhood obesity.
Teachers spend money every year out of their own pocket, especially in underfunded areas, and they’re trying to do innovative things in the classroom with very limited resources. But you can help. If you believe, like I do, that teachers change lives, please consider donating to Stephen Ritz or a teacher in your local community.
How to Donate to the Teachers Change Lives Program
- 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.
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.
Photo: Aline Dassel
Adopt-A-Classroom is a nonprofit organization that helps connect donors with teachers to enhance the learning environment for students. Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom have partnered to raise awareness about teachers, and all that they do in the lives of their students.
*WIHS still gives out a memorial scholarship in Mrs Bradley’s honor every year to a graduating senior excelling in science.
Thanks for reading, Denine
P.S. Hey Teachers…don’t forget to register your own classroom! Leave us a comment below and please let us know about all of the innovative things you’re doing with your students.
Thanks for reading,
Denine
She sounds lie she was a wonderful teacher! I’m so glad they set that scholarship up! What a wonderful way to honor such a wonderful person!
I love programs like this because it really helps give back!
That’s such a great program. I definitely believe teachers change lives- I actually had a FEW that changed my life!
Teachers have a huge impact on a childs life. I think everyone has that memory of a special teacher that made a difference in their life.
I was lucky to have so many special teachers in my life. I hope that my children will have that connection growing up that I had with my favorite teachers!
As a teacher, I think these programs are awesome and I love how Office Depot supports teachers and Adopt-A-Classroom.
We love teachers! Thank you for your hard work!
Teachers are so important. I try to make sure our teachers have everything that they need each year.
That is wonderful, I know they appreciate it!
I had multiple teachers that made a huge difference in my life. I wish I could tell them now how much they impacted my life.
I think about that a lot. I always wish I could tell my art teacher what an impact she had on my life 🙂
Teachers most certainly change lives. Grateful for this initiative, thank you for sharing!
Teachers definitely don’t get enough recognition. They’re practically like another parent to our kids, with as much time they spend with them each week. What a great way for them to receive from the community!
Teachers definitely have one of the hardest jobs in the world!
I am so sorry about your favorite teacher…I’m sure you were completely heartbroken 🙁
I had a favorite teacher too – my 5th grade teacher – Ms. McCullough. She made us laugh, and of course learn, and everything she did inspired us to always do better.
Teachers are SO important!
It must be the name! My sister and I both had a Ms. McCullough and she was amazing, one of my favorite teachers! (Are you from West Islip, NY – had to ask!)
I love what teachers do for kids – and I love that this program exists to help them do what they need/want to do.
She really must have been loved for a scholarship to continue on in her name. Teachers absolutely can and do change lives.
What a great program. We donate often to our kids classrooms. It is great to see a program like this giving more donations to our classrooms!
It is amazing isn’t it? I hope more companies will take notice and do the same!
I have friends that teach in the public sector and it is a no-glory kind of job. What a neat campaign to recognize those that typically are not recognized.
Definitely all guts no glory! Really one of the hardest jobs out there in my opinion!
Teachers need so much help! I’ve donated a ton of supplies to my kids classroom. Including, pencils, crayons (I actually bought it for all the kids k-2), glue, tissues, snacks and more! They need a ton of support that the schools aren’t providing enough of.
Also my husband is a teacher. He has always loved when students come back to him and tell him they are interested in science and going to college for it now because of him.
It is so great that you do that! Next year I think I will write the teacher’s a note asking if they have ongoing items they needs. That way I can pick them up when I see them on sale!
Teachers deserve a ton of praise for all they do. How they put up with all those kids, year after year, is beyond me.
Teacher are some of the most important people in our society, but they are treated badly. I live in a community where teachers are not valued, and it breaks my heart. They should be held higher in esteems than any of those crazy overpaid sports figures or “celebrities”.
We agree! They are the unsung heroes in communities throughout our country.
We agree! More attention needs to be paid to the people in this world that contribute so much to the lives of others.
Teachers are definitely not given the credit they deserve nor the pay. I have a good friend who works in a private school and she uses a good portion of her paycheck to help with classroom needs. I am thankful that Office Depot is giving back.
I have many friends that are teachers and the amount of money that they spend on supplies is incredible. I really like the idea of helping out teachers who are doing innovative things in their classrooms, especially when test taking is taking over our kids’ lives…Denine