Adventures in Learning
A blog about Learning, about Education, about reform, about change, about what it means to teach. I am trying to ask the question "Why we educate" and what my answer means to me as a teacher and how my role shapes society and the whole.
There are no words to capture the wonder of what has happened since we wrote to you yesterday. The response from our network was immediate and overwhelming. More than $20,000 was donated by IDEA Organizers, teachers, long-time supporters, and lots of brand new ones.
By early this morning, another $2600 in donations had arrived, followed by a steady stream of pledges and gifts, until only $21 remained. Finally, a friend of one of our staff saw his post on Facebook and donated the $30 that pushed the Snowball to the finish line. Donations continue to come in.
And so we’ve done it — you’ve done it. The Snowball Challenge to $150K has been met. This means that in addition to the $150,000 given and pledged, The Bay & Paul Foundations will award us an additional $100,000.A new story has emerged over the past two days. It was not corporate millionaires who met this challenge. It was teachers, parents, students, organizers, and community members. More than 264 of us made this happen, typically giving in increments of $10 and $25. Several of our team members have shared that tears welled up in their eyes as they saw this story unfold. Many people who didn’t have much to give stepped up and gave anyway.
An excerpt from an email sent by one of IDEA’s community organizers, a parent advocate based in King County, Washington, tells it best: It is amazing the quality of committed people that are partnering with IDEA, I am so proud to be part of this awesome group. In my 15 + years working on the community i never have seen something like this. I am so emotional for the level of commitment that all we share. this is a story that should be publish in the New York times, that’s what it matters. I wish I could make a bigger donation, but with a budget to reach from my own organization and 4 kids to feed I can’t. But i will not miss the opportunity to make history. Please take this. I hope this helps. I wish I could do more, Lupita
One challenge down, many more to go. Our shared effort just got stronger because of the power, trust, and commitment you’ve placed in our vision and in one another.
Onward we go!
Not sure if any of my fans were able to pledge any money yesterday. I ended donating 536 dollars to IDEA. I would love to add to that total by adding a dollar or two of yours. This money really helps.
Most of the Community Organizers who get a small 2000 a year striped pitch in 500 dollars each to make sure IDEA was able to continue on strongly.
I would love to help put some of the money back in their pockets. Every dollar helps. Every penny helps. The work we are doing to transform education is important. There are not that many organization that are taking both a national and community based approached to transforming education. IDEA is not funded by Corporations, it funded by teachers, activist and small small foundations. If we want to return our voice to education we need more transformative organizations like IDEA.
IF you can’t donate please take the time to LIKE IDEA on Facebook or twitter. To head over to the Website and sign up for the mailing list. Or reblog this post. Or better yet do all of those things and donate here
I thank all my followers for all their support!
-adventures in learning
