Help Emma Become a Teacher!

I’ve been interested in working with kids with disabilities since I was a caregiver for a teen with autism when Claire was a baby. I realized that the way my brain works is an incredibly good match for working with people who are neurodivergent and it brings me immense reward and joy. It never feels like work!

Fast forward to finishing my bachelors when Tommy was a baby and now being in the final stretch of getting my masters and license in teaching special education at PSU (graduating June 16!).

I don’t think many people know that in order to be licensed as a teacher, you must complete student teaching, which is teaching in a classroom with a teacher of record and taking over their class while they mentor you. The last three months of this, it is full-time work (or more) and it is completely unpaid. On top of not having an income for this time, I paid $6000 for the tuition for the term.

Not many people are able to afford this segment, and I’m in fact the only person in my cohort who doesn’t have a two-income home and is a single parent (and isn’t already a paid teacher making their regular salary during student teaching).

While I’ve been in the program, I’ve been lucky enough to be working as a substitute teacher at Parkrose High School, which is a Title 1 school and the most diverse school in Oregon. The students have brought so much light into my life, and I am more dedicated than ever to devoting my career to serving underserved kids.

Even more lucky, I was able to be placed at the same school for my full-time student teaching experience and will get to work with the same students I’ve grown to love since starting there February of last year.

Anyway! I’m asking for my community to help me get through what will undoubtedly be the hardest financial time of my career. $3000 will cover most of my rent for the three months I will be teaching for free. I have a chunk of money saved up for this time and am signed up for food stamps. I pay for rent, electricity, car loan, phone, internet, and child care each month. Anything helps and will 100% go towards staying afloat until September when I begin my career as a licensed SPED teacher!!!

Thank you so much. Please share. I love you all so much!