Support Paul Tarrance's Holiday Initiative for Students

My name is Paul Tarrance and I’m passionate about ensuring that my students have access to resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from my HBCU Winston Salem State University and a Masters of Special Education (concentration for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders) from George Washington University has put me on the path of furthering my calling in education.

For the past seven and a half years, I’ve worked in education, beginning my career at Monument Academy in Washington, D.C., that focuses on providing students who have had or might have contact with the foster care system with the necessary tools to be successful in college, career, and community. Winning the 2022-23 Teacher of the Year award culminated my experience at Monument Academy and I recently started a new journey at Hart Middle School as a Special Educator.

So now, the reason why we’re here…

I’m excited to announce my 7th Annual Christmas/Holiday Initiative and I’m asking for your support this year in providing clothes, shoes, and toiletries for the students in need at Monument Academy Public Charter School and Charles Hart Middle School. One of my most rewarding experiences has been watching some of my first students who benefited from this initiative graduate high school and go on to college.

Working in inner-city education, teachers face many challenges in positively impacting student’s academic, social, and emotional progress. As teachers, we have to break through several barriers or layers to build relationships due to various disadvantages the students face. These disadvantages often range from poverty, the absence of parents due to incarceration, learning disabilities, physical and mental abuse, and even homelessness. However, our students remain resilient, pushing past adversity to accomplish their dreams. They remain energetic, focused and their desire to learn has not wavered.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this initiative over the past 8 years. I truly appreciate you and this wouldn’t be possible without any of you! Please support by donating and/or spreading the word, so we can help bless our well-deserving youth.