Support MHES Teachers & Students

Sarah Mills is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Mooreland Heights Elementary is a small, public school in South Knoxville. The staff of this school do small things with great love. Like so many other schools, the last two years have been unbelievably difficult. But for this school in particular, they have experienced unthinkable tragedy and loss.

They have endured the losses of several key members of the school community in the last few months, and now they are dealing with the unexpected death of their champion, confidant, and leader, Principal Brandi Self.

Mrs. Self has been a staple in the South Knoxville community for over two decades, and has devoted her life to this school. Anyone who met her could feel her love for others and her passion for education. To read more about Brandi's life and learn how to make a donation to Mooreland Heights in her honor separately, visit this link.

Brandi was a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and the loudest cheerleader for each staff member and child at Mooreland Heights. The grief in this community is profound. Sarah Grace Mills (me, former 3rd grade teacher at MHES) and Rachel Hutson (former 5th grade teacher at MHES) have organized this GoFundMe as a central means to provide support for the school. With funds from this GoFundMe, we will:

$1,500: Pay for the MHES Holiday Dinner, so that staff do not have to. (In a normal year - teachers & staff pay for themselves and their spouses with their own money.) We will provide a catered meal and dessert, and special gifts and encouragement for the staff as they grieve this loss during the holiday season.
$600: Purchase children's books about grief for each staff member. If you knew Mrs. Self, you knew she loved children's books. We will purchase an assortment of books, and the staff can choose their favorite. They can read these books to their classes if they choose, or treasure them on their own. Copies of these books will also be provided for the MHES library.
Books: Love, Crying is Like the Rain, When Sadness is at Your Door

If there are extra funds from this fundraiser, they will go to the Mooreland Heights Elementary, and they can use the funds at their discretion to support the school and Mrs. Self's legacy.