Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

Thankful: Aware and appreciative of a benefit. This definition describes exactly how I feel about my students and you, for your unending support. Before I introduce you to myself and my amazing students, I want you to know how important your role is in Teach for America. By supporting me in my journey, you are graciously supporting twenty-seven young children who deserve the world. Together, we can lift these children up and help them discover their potential, which I’ve learned is an incredible experience.

My name is Jacey and this is my second year as a Teach for America corps member. I was born and raised in Indiana, and am appreciating that more and more each day. I was also born a Boilermaker, and knew from a young age that I would attend Purdue University. While I left a little bit of my heart there (okay, a lot of my heart), I am happy to cheer on the Boilers from the valley. I graduated with a degree in human services and completed my final internship as an elementary school guidance counselor. The day that I said goodbye to all of my students in Indiana, tears rolling down my face, I knew that I needed and desired to work with children every day of my life. This was when I decided that Teach for America was perfect for me.

I was placed in Phoenix, Arizona at Brunson-Lee Elementary School. Last year, I taught the most amazing first graders, and this year, I have the privilege of teaching a class of first and second graders. This dynamic has opened my eyes to so many things and has allowed me to truly experience the achievement gap first hand. I have ten second graders who are at or below a kindergarten level. Many cannot count to twenty, and I am teaching them their letter sounds every day. My goal for this year is that every second grader will leave my classroom being a confident and proud reader. After meeting with their parents, I have learned that many of these students were previously told that they weren’t smart enough, or would “always struggle.” I do not believe that, and I never will believe that. While their hearts are enormous, their potential is even larger. I refuse to give up on them, and cannot wait to see the smile on their face when they discover all that they are worth.

I cannot express how excited I am for you to be a part of this experience and knew that I owed a big thank you to all of you who support me. Whether it is my reading my blog, sending letters, saying prayers, sending love, or helping out in my classroom, I couldn't do this without you. My student recently decoded a three letter world, and I have never seen a smile so big. He looked at me and said, “Miss Abney, I’m reading.” While I held back tears, I smiled back and said “I knew you could.” This is an experience that I hope continues each and every day, and am confident that it will. I strongly believe that all these children need is someone who cares. Lucky for them, they now have you, also. Thank you so much for supporting me in this adventure. It will be exhausting, rewarding, and incredible all at the same time. Words cannot express my gratitude. My students deserve the world, and together we can help them discover all of the beauty that surrounds them.

Unending Thanks,

Jace