Here are two chalkboard champions from Tennessee that you just have to admire. They are Vanessa Bateman and Heather Malick, kindergarten teachers at Niota Elementary School located in the McMinn County School District in Niota.
Because their students come primarily from low-income families, the two teachers often noticed that their little ones came to school in need of clothes that fit property or basic hygiene items such as tooth brushes or deodorant. “When families have to prioritize basic needs, food will be at the top, and hygiene items will move further down or even off the list,” remarked Tonya Broyles, a local registered nurse. “Simply put, this means there are children (who) go to school every day (who) have had to compromise or not meet basic hygiene practices that most of us take for granted.”
At first, Vanessa and Heather and others on the Niota school staff spent their own money to buy clothing and hygiene necessities they could give to their neediest students. Countless educators around the country do the same. Then the two kindergarten teachers got the brilliant idea to establish a “Comfort Closet” in an unused locker room that had previously been used for storage. To stock the closet, they collected donations from local businesses and organizations, such as the nonprofit SUDS for Students, where Tonya Broyles works.
Now children in need can be escorted discreetly to the closet to select the items they need. They place the items in their backpacks, and no one needs to know.
To lean more, view the three-minute video below. I’m sure you’ll be inspired.