A Closet Full of Opportunities

Out of all the students enrolled in the Oshkosh Area School District, almost 40% are economically disadvantaged, meaning that they receive free or reduced lunch (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction). I am partnering with Kay Kuenzl-Stenerson, a retired teacher who is the managing director of The Teacher’s Closet Incorporated who serves schools in the Oshkosh area. One reason why The Teacher’s Closet is valuable to the community is that there is growing amount of poverty in Oshkosh schools. Some, if not many of these students cannot even afford school lunch, let alone expensive school supplies.The Teacher’s Closet supplies the teachers, who then can get the supplies to the children who need it. While free school supplies are valuable to the students, it’s also important to all teachers, no matter what grade they teach or how long they have been teaching. According to the ASCD website, the average teacher spends approximately $400 out of pocket to pay for supplies, decorations, and other things for their students and classrooms(ascd.org). The Teacher’s Closet Inc. reduces or eliminates those costs. TTC is also special in the fact that it not only gives out school supplies, but other things students may need as well(such as winter hats, gloves, socks, and hygiene products). These two community needs are what The Teacher’s Closet aims to help, and successfully does so by supporting the 400 plus teachers already enrolled in the program. ~ Mathena Higgins, an 11th grader in Communities st ONHS