Back to School-Teacher Faces Fire

Sunday, August 21st changed the life of a teacher, former coach, and colleague forever.  Lakeside High School science teacher, Michele Verdi and her son had a house fire in Geneva, OH that struck and destroyed all the contents from her home: her teaching resources, attire, sports equipment, and medications to name a few.  A single mom of a son entering his senior year and captain of the football team this is not how the school year was supposed to start. 

     Michele lived in a home owned by her parents which the home was insured, however, since she was renting she did not have renter's insurance.  Red Cross came to assist and she is currently staying in a nearby hotel.  However, must begin to start over looking for housing, purchasing all of life’s necessities to get back on her feet again. 

      Michele is a generous, sincere, and compassionate teacher to many underprivileged children.  She has provided for others when they couldn’t in their time of need.  Michele has not gone without struggle and has had many medical challenges in her past and is now facing new challenges which she learned of the day after the fire. 

      As a former single mother, coach, and teacher, I can only imagine how she is feeling.  I know that as she helped others with their struggles, we as a teaching community, a loving community need to help her.  It is what she would do for anyone and is humbled even by the discussion of helping her.  Please join me in shedding some light on Michele and her son and make their school year and future solid again.