Crystal Kay

I have been teaching at-risk teens for 12 years and while I've moved up in small steps in the pay scale, the needs of my students always outweigh my resources.

I love working with kids, especially at-risk kids, because their growth potential in just one school year is astounding. Teaching has changed. Teachers have gotten better: I've gotten better. Today, kids need more of the things they got in small doses at schools in the past. They need experiential learning, individualized project-based learning, better 21st century skills, and everything as hands-on as possible.

With this type of teaching, I often get questioned as to why I need so many "art supplies" or technology supplies. And too many times my requests get denied because administrators don't always believe that all learning must be connected, or it won't stick. I constantly reach out to donors, to businesses, to people like you, to help supplement the needs of our kids.

I will always continue to advocate for my students' needs in whatever way possible, and sometimes that means I have to pay for things myself. I often pay for supplemental materials such as movies, pencils, markers, notebooks, folders, and general art supplies. It all adds up fast. Anything you can give to help with this would be so amazing!

MY CLASSROOM NEEDS: In my classroom this year, I am working on creating a flexible learning space, which includes standing tables, a reading nook, a workstation for Chromebooks, and other small group activities.

MY PERSONAL NEEDS: The stress of teaching puts a heavy toll on my body and sometimes I don't take care of it because I'm focusing so much on the kids and their needs each day. With that stress comes frequent headaches, migraines, tense muscles, and a need for chiropractic care which my insurance does not cover.

If you've read any of this, you know that any donations will first go to my classroom needs, unless otherwise stated. I value my students and their learning over everything else. I have been teaching at-risk teens for 12 years and while I've moved up in small steps in the pay scale, the needs of my students always outweigh my resources.... read more