News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
DeKalb County’s Adopt a Teacher Program allows the community to provide classroom supplies and other necessities for local students.
Program Founder Shelly Barnes was ready to become a volunteer in her daughter’s classroom when the Pandemic put her plans on hold. Barnes learned about the Adopt a Teacher program from her sister. Barnes said bringing that program to DeKalb was an opportunity to help in the classroom when her original plans fell through.
“And with my sister being a teacher herself, I understand that teachers spend a lot of money out of their own paychecks to have a the extra things,” Barnes said. “And I really see and hear from the teachers that this is a huge help to them.”
Barnes said she loves seeing how the community and teachers have come to anticipate the program every year. She said she had gotten a little late this year due to other responsibilities and she had received messages and emails asking if the program was available this year and what they could do.
Barnes said in some cases people adopt their teachers for the entire year. She said the program does not ask the community to do this, but the individuals ask to do so and the teachers are thankful for it.
“Typically there is a basic supply list and then the teachers have a wish list,” Barnes said. “We always try to give a few extra of the school supplies for those students who can not afford it.”
Barnes said all five schools in DeKalb County benefit from the Adopt a Teacher Program.
