Teachers are the backbone of our educational system. Day in and day out, they devote countless hours to lesson planning, helping students, and grading papers, all while dealing with crowded classrooms and limited resources. Despite the immense impact they have on the lives of students, teachers are often undervalued, underpaid, and face a lack of respect in comparison to other conventional professions.
This year’s Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6th-10th) is not only a time to celebrate our teachers, but also a moment to spark positive change for teachers. It’s a moment for society to support teachers as they deal with challenges like lack of funding, pressure to perform in difficult learning environments, teacher shortages, and others.
So how can we help? Ensuring teachers receive proper compensation and respect is certainly a long-term endeavor, but there are many ways to support teachers in the short term.
Getting involved in the Jersey Cares School Supply Drive is a great first step. In New Jersey public schools, students are required to purchase their own notebooks, folders, pencils, and other essential learning tools. Unfortunately, for some families, school supplies don’t always make the budget cut, leaving students unprepared on their first day of school. Consequently, teachers often find themselves digging into their own pockets to purchase these essential supplies for students. By helping Jersey Cares collect supplies like backpacks, notebooks, and others, you are putting money directly back into the pockets of our teachers.
Corporations also hold the power to support teachers. In partnership with Jersey Cares, corporate employees can provide in-classroom support for teachers by hosting educational workshops and activities that aren’t typically offered in public school curricula. This includes teaching topics related to financial literacy, career readiness, nutrition, mental health, and others. This in-classroom support not only offers relief and assistance to teachers, but it also connects students with professionals who can leverage their expertise to steer students toward success.
Jersey Cares also coordinates numerous “public school transformation” volunteer projects every year. Volunteer groups descend upon public schools, like a makeover show on HGTV, equipped with new furniture, paint, tools, and other materials to revamp teachers’ lounges, classrooms, sensory rooms, and other spaces. By painting colorful murals, assembling new furniture, and enhancing the visual appeal of school buildings, Jersey Cares volunteer groups are creating more conducive learning environments for both teachers and students alike. These efforts can not only contribute to improved student attendance, but also teacher retention.
So, what are you waiting for? Join Jersey Cares in supporting teachers this year by registering for the School Supply Drive, signing up for a project on the Volunteer Opportunity Calendar, or rallying your colleagues through the Corporate Service Program. We also encourage you to speak directly with teachers in your community to understand their specific needs and offer support. You can take actions like adopting a classroom, championing an online wish list, or hosting special projects or events.
Investing in our teachers today not only lays a foundation for the future success of our students, but also a brighter future for us all.
Jersey Cares Blog 
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