Michigan residents encouraged to also support their local teachers
A version of this article was also published on Fox 17 on September 19, 2022.
LANSING, Mich. — Out of the more than 1,100 Michigan educators who submitted their classroom Amazon wish lists for a chance to have their list purchased, 19 teachers were chosen to have their lists cleared through the ‘Clear the List’ campaign by Michigan Virtual.
Winning teachers range from elementary to high school; special education to alternative; English language arts to science. Selection of the winners was based on several criteria, including school need, submission entry message, and alignment with Michigan Virtual’s mission and values. Some of the supplies delivered from this campaign will be used to:
- Build a hands-on, inquiry-based science education lab for a classroom in Manistique;
- Establish a Detroit classroom lending library with books that represent diversity, offer positive and relatable narratives, and bridge curricular themes;
- Support a special education classroom in Homer with several games for learning in reading and math;
- Offer basic necessities and supplies to a classroom in Grand Rapids where 10 percent of the students are experiencing homelessness;
- Add two new iPads with protective cases to an Upper Peninsula classroom;
- Establish charging stations in a Muskegon classroom for students who cannot charge their classroom devices at home;
- Offer Spanish language materials and resources to 8th graders in Kalamazoo;
- Incorporate literacy into an art class in Johannesburg.
“When educators are better equipped for the school year, outcomes improve for learners. We encourage other Michiganders to join us in supporting more teachers by checking out the rest of the submitted lists and contributing to their local classrooms,” said Jamey Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of Michigan Virtual. “Education is going through a renaissance post-pandemic, so there is no better time to support innovation in our classrooms than right now.”
Michigan residents are encouraged to support their local teachers by viewing all submitted wish lists at michiganvirtual.org/clearthelist, which will keep all lists public throughout the school year. Michigan Virtual launched the ‘Clear the List’ campaign to help ensure Michigan classrooms are prepared with resources to give teachers and students the best possible start to the year.
According to a report from adoptaclassroom.org, teachers spend on average $750 of their own money each year on classroom supplies. Teachers are no exception to the impact of rising school supply costs and inflation, with many turning to their own bank accounts and family and friends to prepare their classrooms, including by sharing their Amazon wish lists.
For the past two decades, Michigan Virtual has helped teachers across the state through professional development opportunities. In addition, for the last few years, a ‘Clear the List’ movement has swept across the nation. This year, Michigan Virtual decided to expand their efforts to help educators by bringing a ‘Clear the List’ campaign to Michigan by purchasing items on teachers’ wish lists across the state.