Updated: Apr 15, 2020
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Curated by: Dalia Utqi
How long have you worked for Educators On Call?
I've worked with Educators on Call for 7 months.
Why did you choose education as a career?
I like to think that I did not choose education, it chose me. I have always had a love for kids. I also came to realize that I have the ability to influence positive change among students and teens in particular.
What is your fondest memory as a substitute teacher?
I have many, but my fondest is probably the love and appreciation I received from my first assignment at the Hebrew Charter school where I substituted for a month. The children made me a card, and they all stood and verbally told me one by one what they loved about me and what they were going to miss about me. It broke my heart to leave them, I was so touched. They will always have a place in my heart.
Why is being a substitute teacher important?
Being a substitute teacher is important not just for filling in gaps when a teacher is out, but we have the rare opportunity that most teachers don’t. We have the ability to plant seeds of love, hope, the importance of determination and resilience. We have the opportunity to remind students of the importance of self-control and self-discipline, which are all keys to success. These children are the future, they need to be reminded that their actions matter, the work they do now matters. We need to plant seeds in their heart that bear fruits of success so that they understand that hard work, does pay off. That also they can choose to make a difference and become a part of the solution.
Please share a little about yourself (i.e. your family, your hobbies, etc).
I have been married for twenty-five years to my husband Delroy who has been my backbone. I have been blessed to have three beautiful daughters who are world-changers in their own right. I learn from them just as much as they learn from me. It is because of my children that I recognized the importance of meeting students in their own pedagogy. My hobbies include writing, reading, motivating others, traveling, crafting, cooking and baking. My aspiration is to impact positive change and light wherever I go, to whomever I meet. It still takes a community to raise our children, I know things have changed but it is even more urgent now that we meet our students right where they are, with no judgment, so we can lift them up for the greater good of their future, our future actually.
Updated: Mar 25, 2020
Reading is a time machine, a portal to other worlds and a gateway to wonder. Through stories, children learn to be heroes, go on adventures, and stretch their imagination. There are few things better for children than a bountiful reading experience.
Unfortunately, many communities are located in literacy deserts where children have little or no access to quality books. This hinders a lifetime of learning and makes it difficult to achieve sufficient reading levels. A child’s literacy development has major implications for their future, and the literacy rate in Philadelphia remains too low. It’s time for our community of educators and readers to champion Philadelphia’s youth and conquer unsatisfactory reading levels and help vanquish literacy deserts.
We are ramping up for our 7th Annual Children’s Book Drive! This year our recipient is Tree House Books, a Philadelphia-based organization. Founded in 2005, their work is fueled by the vision that every child in our city has access to books. Tree House Books completes this mission through a Giving Library and Literacy Center in North Philadelphia, as well as Out of School Time programs to promote a passion for reading and writing while boosting literacy skills. The Tree House Books Giving Library functions as a true community center and by-donation bookstore.
The drive kicks off February 3, 2019, and ends April 17, 2020. In honor of Children's Book Week, which will take place May 4-10, 2019, we will host our Celebration of Reading Event with the children and families of Tree House Books.
WHAT BOOKS TO DONATE:
New and gently used books for infants to 18-year-olds
You can check out our Amazon Wish List for suggested titles.
OUR FUNDRAISING APPS: You can also make a monetary donation to assist with the purchase of new books, using one of our fundraising apps.
Cash App: $EducatorsOnCall
PayPal: eocmail@educatorsoncall.org
CONTACT INFO:
If you have any questions about how you can get involved in giving the gift of reading to our youth in Philadelphia, please feel free to give us a call at (888)248-4898 or send us an email at eocmail@educatorsoncall.org
WHERE TO DROP OFF DONATIONS
Mail or drop off books to our office:
Archways Professional Building
413 Johnson St, Suite 214
Jenkintown, PA 19046
Monday-Friday
February 3 - April 17, 2020
10 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
More drop off locations will be announced soon.
Stay tuned in to our blogs and social media posts.