Teachers Are Surprised By Extraordinary Gift

Most of us remember at least one teacher who made a difference. Maybe it was the teacher who stayed after school to help with math, spent their own money on classroom supplies, or encouraged students who needed a little extra kindness. Teachers shape lives in ways that are hard to measure.

That’s why a recent story out of Marin County, California, caught my attention.

Long-time resident Maja Kristin donated $1 million to teachers in the Ross Valley School District, giving each of the district’s 100 teachers a check for a little more than $9,100. But it wasn’t because she had children in the schools. Maja learned that despite working in an affluent area, the district’s teachers were among the lowest paid in Marin County and that school funding ranked near the bottom statewide.

We spend a lot of time talking about how important teachers are, but our actions don’t always match our words. Teachers are expected to educate, encourage, guide, listen, inspire, and often provide support that goes far beyond the classroom. Yet many still buy supplies with their own money, work extra jobs, and struggle to afford things for their own families.

One teacher mentioned she had three children and how this extra money would allow her to say yes to activities she otherwise couldn’t afford. Think about that. The people helping prepare the next generation are often making sacrifices in their own homes to do it.

Thank you Maja for reminding everyone that ordinary citizens can make a difference. Not everyone can give a million dollars, of course, but appreciation comes in many forms. A thank-you note. Showing support for local schools. Speaking up for educators. Finding ways, large or small, to show teachers that their work matters.

This video of the teachers’ surprise and gratitude as they opened their envelopes says it all.