The back-to-school season was one for celebration for Lakewood High School teachers who had their classroom wishlists funded by the new North Carolina nonprofit Exponential Scholars, and teacher Yadiraliz Hawkes hopes more teachers will take advantage of these opportunities.
An excited Hawkes described getting the email that her wishlist had been funded, sharing that she immediately went down the hall to find out if her colleagues, who also had wishlists, had gotten a similar green light.
“I do them sometimes and forget,” explained Hawkes about her determination to find grants and apply for them. The Spanish teacher shared that she hears hesitation from her peers and that she “just wants more people to apply.”
Hawkes emphasized how vital the resources are to Title 1 teachers like herself, and that she is grateful for the opportunities her students will have with the board and card games she was able to get from her Donors Choose wishlist.
The Spanish teacher also stressed how easy it is to apply, and that when you’re funded you simply take some pictures of your class using the items and have the students write thank you notes. She emphasized “how simple it is.”
Other Lakewood teachers who had their classroom grants funded include Arleen Casianos, whose request for hygiene and snack items was approved; exceptional children’s teacher Shandi Kimp,who was able to receive craft supplies to help her students meet their work hours that are a part of their occupational course of study; and Loretta Williams, who teaches math and coaches JV cheer and was able to get two grants, one for math supplies and one for cheer resources for her team.
Williams received grants for almost $800 for cheer supplies and $250 for interactive notebooks for her Math 2 and Math 4 classes.
The supplies she was able to get with the cheer grant included a tumbling mat, socks, hair ties, bows, face stickers, noise makers, small megaphones for the cheerleaders, a battery operated megaphone for the coaches, drawstring and makeup bags that say cheer, and extra cheer shoes to have on hand.
The JV cheer coach emphasized how helpful this was because the cheerleading teams had never had their own mat, but had always shared with the wrestling team. She also stressed the significance of extra shoes, noting that if one of the girls “blew out her shoe,” and could not get a new pair, the extras on hand would be essential to keep the team ready for each game.
“You just get excited opening them,” shared Williams about receiving the packages of supplies for both her team and classroom.
For her math students, Williams now has the necessary supplies for interactive notebooks, including scissors, colored pencils, three-ring binders, and tab dividers.
“If things aren’t available, money can go to other items,” shared Williams, stressing that if something you chose specifically is out of stock, you can choose a replacement.
Holly May, founder of Exponential Scholars, which has the goal to “redefine what possibilities are for youth,” funded all North Carolina teachers’ wish lists on Donors Choose as “a way to celebrate back to school,” May shared in a phone interview.
The founder explained that this was a one time way for the nonprofit to support North Carolina education, which is what the organization is all about.
May shared that Exponential Scholars is not focused on one area, or one demographic of North Carolina, but rather the state as a whole, with the belief that potential can be anywhere, and the goal of giving talented youth the opportunities they deserve, regardless of what they may have access to.
The founder emphasized the campaign that Exponential Scholars is currently offering is called the Big Idea Challenge. Any educator, whether a teacher, daycare professional, or band director, as well as any student fifth through twelfth grade, she said, can submit a proposal for, and receive, $1,000 towards putting that proposal in action.
Look for a story in Saturday’s Independent to learn more about Big Idea Grants, as well as the multiple Clinton City students and educators that have already received funding. These grants are being awarded on an ongoing basis with an Oct. 4 deadline.