Thanks to draconian budget cuts, thousands of layoff notices have been delivered to teacher mailboxes nationwide over the past few weeks. But, after notices went home about pink slips handed out in the Arcadia Unified School District, Jocelyn Lam, a fifth grade student at Camino Grove Elementary decided there was something she could do to save her school’s teachers: she emptied her piggy bank.
Last Friday, Lam gave her teacher an envelope full of $1, $5, and $10 bills totaling $300—money she’d earned over several years for doing chores and getting good grades. She also included a handwritten letter addressed to the Arcadia Unified school board and superintendent, saying, “I really hope this $300 will help save the teachers that are about to be laid off. I also hope this is enough to save more than one teacher.” Her donation was completely unsolicited and took the school staff by surprise.
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While I can think of a 1,000 more causes that this student could have given to that might need it more— I can’t help but feel the tears being triggered just a little. Teaching is a job where the people you work with don’t always realize the impact you have until many years later. You don’t get many thank yous, recognition, or in these days support. This, just wow, what a voice of support!
