Have you ever watched someone gasp or cry or laugh as they read? Have you ever heard someone tell about the first time they connected to a character in a book? Have you ever been inspired by reading or hearing a story to tell your own? Those are magic moments I want to create with my high school seniors. 

I plan to use the money raised to purchase a wide array of texts that can match all my students and show them that they belong in this world and the world wants to hear from them. That is why I will use this unit in conjunction with the New York Times "Personal Narrative Writing Contest," in order to encourage them that stories are not just for senior literature class, but a part of our lives and the bigger world.

After teaching for 17 years, I know that these moments can happen under the right circumstances, but they take some time and money. I can take the time, but I need you to help with the money.

What does this look like? Well, in the first few weeks of class, we study memoirs and personal stories of authors, and it is always my goal to have students connect with the text, which is difficult in several classes of 35+. With this money, I can purchase books, specifically for my students in a personalized manner. I've had students who have cancer, a Down syndrome sibling, are transgender, or homeless, and have never seen themselves in the stories we read, so they believe their experience and story isn't worth telling. But they're wrong. As I tell my students: "The world needs to hear your voice" and there is no better way to model that than to show them stories out there, like theirs. 

By donating, you will be affirming our students' identities and inspiring them to share themselves with a world that desperately needs to hear their voice. 

Thank you for your consideration in making a difference in students' lives.