Giving Back To a Giving Teacher (Lisa Pawley)

My dear friend, Lisa Pawley is a long-time dedicated teacher and beloved colleague at Oneness-Family School and committed mother to two college-aged children, Néa and Myka, and one middle schooler, Alara. Lisa was both my children's teacher when they were each two-years-old and I was lucky enough to have her also teach my son in 4th grade. She is responsible for much of who they are today as she poured love into each of them as she pushed them to grow in remarkable ways and both of my kids love her dearly. I was fortunate enough to teach Lisa's three children each for three years. Lisa is an empathetic, committed mother who never hesitates to do what is best for her children, even when it is inconvenient or downright hard.

In July, Lisa and her three children returned home from visiting her family in England to discover that her ex-husband, Rajesh, had died. Lisa and her children were shocked to learn of his unexpected death and, in the weeks that followed, discovered the financial challenges that they would face after his death. Rajesh was providing the majority of the financial support for Néa and Myka's education and expenses. His alimony helped keep Lisa and Alara in their home of 12 years. These supports have ended with his death and Lisa's teacher's salary does not allow her to take over all of these financial obligations. Fortunately, Myka was able to secure substantial financial aid to help make it possible to return to Macalester College this year where he is majoring in Linguistics and Minoring in Spanish and Asian studies. Néa's school fees were covered by her 529 plan and she had built up some savings through a theater camp she ran this summer which she is using to pay her living expenses.

Rajesh's estate and what his children will be provided with is still unclear and resolution is expected to take quite a while. Because of this I am reaching out to the community to help Lisa, Néa, Myka, and Alara. We are trying to raise $15,000 to cover the mortgage to keep Lisa and Alara in their home through the end of the year and to help Myka and Néa with living expenses. Anything raised above this amount will go toward: health insurance for Alara, expenses incurred in the process of resolving the estate, and therapy for Lisa, Néa, Myka, and Alara.

None of us are able to heal from traumatic experiences with financial burdens hanging over our heads. As a community we can allow Lisa and her family the opportunity to heal while figuring out their next steps. Please consider giving to this GoFundMe to allow Lisa, Néa, Myka, and Alara some stability in such an unstable time. Any amount, no matter how small, is appreciated. It would mean so much to a family that has given so much of themselves over the 12 years they have been involved in this community.