Community Members Donate School Supplies To Sand Springs Teacher

As teachers are seeking to protect students from COVID-19, they’re in need of more supplies than usual. One Sand Springs teacher said her classroom is set for the year because of the generosity of others.

Students in Sand Springs head back to school Monday for classes- some in person, some virtual.

You have probably seen the posts on Facebook, teachers all over the country are setting up lists online of supplies they need for their classrooms. There is a lot on those lists this year because of COVID-19 and Oklahomans are coming together to meet those needs.

"I am ready to go. I am so excited I can't wait to see them," said Limestone Technology Academy 3rd Grade teacher Shannon Crutcher.

Shannon believes part of a teacher’s job is making sure their students feel safe and secure even in situations where the adults might not know what is going to happen. She takes that job seriously.

Back in March, when the pandemic first hit and students couldn't return to school, Shannon and car loads of other teachers drove through their students’ neighborhoods to let them know that everything was going to be okay. She's doing the same thing now as she prepares for her kids to come back to her classroom.

"This was way before COVID and this will happen way after COVID,” Crutcher said. “There are 3 things I want them to have in my classroom: I want to make sure that they feel safe. I want to make sure that they feel loved and I want to make sure they get a good, quality education. Whatever I have to do to make those three things happen, that is what I am going to focus on.”

Not sharing supplies means teaches need plenty of extras of everything. Crutcher said their wish lists this year are crucial. This is where people like Susan Michaels come in.

"It is just a passion of mine to help a teacher out if I can because I know a lot of the kids can't afford the school supplies," Michaels.

She is one of many people who have been out shopping for supplies on Shannon's list. This means the kids in Mrs. Crutcher's 3rd Grade Class don't have to worry about anything other than being kids this school year.

"This year our theme is Sandite Strong,” Crutcher said. “We are going to be doing lots of black and gold and we are going to have lots of positive things about how we are going to be strong this year, no matter what we face.”