Shepherds Works Adopts Teachers

Shepherds Works has been working hard on our project “Adopt a Teacher”. With your donations we are able to give back to teachers whom take out of their own pockets for supplies, to make sure “No Child is Left Behind”. Their dedication to all of our children is priceless and we wanted them to know that we appreciate all that they do! We will continue to update this blog with pictures and stories of all the Teachers/Classrooms that you help this year.

Lets Meet the Teachers………

Ms. Raina Quinnell - 1st Grade Teacher

Mendota Heights Elementary, Mendota Heights, MN

Ms. Quinnell has taught for 4 year in ISD197, West St Paul/Mendota Heights/Eagan public schools. She has spent the last 3 years teaching 5th grade math at one of the middle schools and is currently teaching 1st grade. She stated “This is a new curriculum, new age group and new way of teaching for me this year.” “It has been a hard change to adapt to but I know there is a greater plan for me.” “The staff and families at my new school are wonderful and supportive of me during this transition of grade levels.”

When speaking to Ms. Quinnell, her passion for teaching and the children were so abundantly clear. She not only focuses on helping her children learn but takes a special interest in what their needs are in the classroom and at home.

Like all of the teachers featured, she has had to pull out of her own pocket for supplies and she was so thankful for the donation and tub of supplies we were able to bring to her and the kids.

She wrote a kind letter to us all stating…. “Thank you again so very much for your generosity and support of teachers and those in need. Your recognition and support is greatly appreciated.

Mrs. Cynthia Quist/Mr. Derek Quist - 6th Grade Teachers

Coon Rapids Middle School, Coon Rapids, MN

Mrs. Quist has been a teacher for 27 years at Coon Rapids Middle School. Mr. Quist has taught for 13 years in which 3 years has been teaching at Coon Rapids.

Mrs. Quist wants to use the money to update her classroom library with more diverse books. She states “I need books for my kids that have main characters that are more like my students.” “The kids need to be able to connect with the main character’s in the books” She is going to have her students help her pick out some of the books.

Mr. Quist stated “There is a real need to have supplies for the kids for both in class and home use.” “The struggle is due to Covid, we are teaching in a hybrid structure and sets of supplies need to stay in the classroom, so that they can be sanitized each day.” “The donation will be of good use as we can buy sets of supplies like handheld white boards that they can keep at home too.”

The Quist’s were very thankful to have received the donations for both of their classes. While I was visiting, the Principle of the school also stopped by to express how thankful he was for supporting their school.

Mrs. Appicelli - 1st Grade Teacher

University Avenue Aerospace, Children’s Engineering and Science Elementary, Blaine MN

Mrs. Appicelli was our first teacher chosen to receive your gift. She was our grandson Ayden’s first grade teacher in 2020. She told us “When I told the kids bye on spring break, she had no idea that it would be the last time she saw her kids that year”. She struggled with this new normal of distance learning, as we all have. She is so excited to be able to have her kids in her classroom this year on a Hybrid.

Mrs. Appicelli said “the money that was donated will help her buy supplies & rubber round mats that she can sit six feet apart on the floor, for the kids to sit on.” As she says learning is absorbed so much better the closer you are to each other. She had a special rug last year where most of the time the kids gathered on while she was at the board, so they were closer to her. With covid, they are not allowed a rug due to cleaning measures. So, the rubber mats will be great as they can be wiped down each day! She gave many thanks to all that donated and felt so special to be chosen.

Mrs. Monahan - Special Education Teacher, 9th- 12th Grade

Osseo Area Learning Center, Osseo/Brooklyn Park, MN

 I work mainly with students who have a learning disability or emotional / behavioral problems.  I teach at the Osseo Area Learning Center which is an alternative school that works with students who have struggled in traditional settings.  It is an amazing school, but our students have a multitude of problems that they encounter, both in the school setting and in their personal lives.  Our school has a food shelf that comes in every few weeks for students to get food for home.  We have homeless students and young mothers so we have a washer and dryer in the school so kids can wash their clothes if they need to, as well as many other supports available.

I keep supplies in my classroom for students that need them... snacks, granola bars, pop tarts for those that haven't eaten or can't afford breakfast, school supplies, and of course, books, novels, fidgets for those that have a hard time sitting still, and materials that I need for my classes.  Your organizations help is so greatly appreciated and we thank each one of you that contributed. 

Ms. Dane -

Family Consumer Sciences Teacher, 7th- 9th Grade

Glencoe-Silver Lake Public School, Glencoe, MN

Thank you both so much for coming out and seeing my classroom and where I pour my heart into!

The 2020-2021 school year is the beginning of my ninth year as a 7-12th grade Family Consumer Sciences (FCS) teacher. I am a single person department for the Glencoe-Silver Lake Public School District, offering fourteen different classes in the registration guide. I teach everything from junior high exploratory FACS to child development, housing and interior design, textiles, living on your own and multiple levels of culinary!

Honestly, as long as I can remember I have wanted to be or thought I'd be a teacher 'when I grew up', but once I got to high school and had one teacher in particular that had a huge impact on me that solidified it. I am called to give back to the community and by being a teacher I have that opportunity every day to reach so many students and people, all while teaching them about things I'm passionate about and are so important for successful lives. Kids need someone to believe in them, support them and push them to dream big and make things happen for themselves and that is what I aspire to be and do. With the funds you're donating to our classroom I will be able to purchase more supplies to create the take home kits for my students that include sewing kits and recipe kits, in addition to getting some technology tools to assist in distance learning. Due to the pandemic we have limited ability to have hands-on opportunities for students right now, but I am able to continue to pre-package ingredients and supplies individually for students to make and create at home. This support definitely helps provide opportunities such as that! 

Ms. Galaviz - Educational Assistant, Family/School Liaison, K-6th Grade

(accepted for 3 Teachers/Families)

Riverview Elementary, St. Paul, MN

Ms. Galaviz works as the schools Family/School Liaison. In this role she works with not only the children whom attend, but also works with the families of these children to help support them as a unit.

Distinctive Features of this school is it’s All Day Kindergarten; Bilingual staff; small diverse student population; uniforms and additional support staff to address the multiple needs of their students and their families. They have a Spanish/English Dual Language Immersion Program which English and Spanish speaking students will be fluent in the four modalities of Spanish and English by the end of sixth grade.

Joe, our boots on the ground help in St. Paul visited Ms. Galaviz and was able to deliver her a donation from Shepherds Works to help out 3 Teachers/Students & Families as she felt the need would be best fit. She was very thankful for all of your support.