My Nonprofit Reviews

Four years ago, I retired from Orange County Public schools after working over three decades as a school psychologist and administrator. I became familiar with A Gift For Teaching during their grassroots foundation and beginning outreach to our district. As the organization grew I saw school after school benefit from the classroom supplies, books, art tools and even clothing provided to teachers for our students in need. The school district expanded beyond expectation and significant challenges of providing necessary classroom tools for each child emerged. However, A Gift For Teaching remained a steadfast partner to continue providing much more than basic supplies to our classrooms and diligently worked to address these needs. The staff at A Gift For Teaching have developed relationships and connections with school personnel at every level. They not only listen to teacher needs with open ears but also with open hearts.

The world of public education today is complex and it is easy to lose sight of the importance of meeting the basic needs of a child in a classroom. I have watched children enter schools on the first day of school with a plastic bag filled with broken crayons and pencils and seen their look of shame as classmates enter with newly purchased supplies. I have also seen those same children smile brightly with pride as teachers present them with a beautiful backpacks filled with lovely new supplies provided by A Gift For Teaching. Students' lives can be changed one backpack, one box of crayons and even one pencil at a time. The staff at A Gift For Teaching know this and work tirelessly to keep providing support to our teachers and students.

Since retiring, I have been privileged to volunteer with A Gift For Teaching and have seen their creativity and dedication as they pivot in their delivery model but not in their dedication to provide ongoing excellent services, I sincerely hope that you will recognize this wonderful organization and the its selfless staff members.