Welcome to Clear The List! Did you know that teachers often dip into their own pockets for classroom supplies? That's why Christine and Salt, together with their charity, Rise and Shine Connecticut, have taken up the cause to support our amazing teacher friends. Each day, we'll be featuring a new teacher's wish list. It's as easy as clicking on the provided Amazon wish list link and purchasing an item – or even the whole list – to support these dedicated educators. Don't forget to keep coming back to meet the next teacher in line!
📚📓✏️🍎 Friday, August 30th Clear the List Teacher Spotlight: Kelsey Fernandez is about to embark on her first year of teaching this fall at Derynoski School Southington. She will be teaching second grade at the same elementary school she attended as a child, making this experience especially meaningful for her! Kelsey is excited to begin her teaching career and is eager to make a positive impact on her students’ lives. She expressed gratitude for the support from the community, saying that teachers and students are fortunate to have such generous help. ✅ UPDATE: Kelsey Fernandez' list is cleared!✅
📚📓✏️🍎 Thursday, August 29th: Clear the List Teacher Spotlight: Meet Kristen Reude, a dedicated 2nd-grade teacher at Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden. Kristen is about to begin her 19th year of teaching in Meriden, a city she also calls her hometown. Watching her students learn and grow holds a special significance for her, having grown up in the same community. Kristen is committed to providing a safe, loving, fun, and enriching school year for her students. Any support to help her achieve this goal is greatly appreciated! ✅ UPDATE: Kristen's list is cleared!✅
📚📓✏️🍎 Wednesday, August 28th Clear the List Teacher Spotlight: Meet Melissa Killmer, a dedicated teacher at Hazardville Memorial School in Enfield. After six years of teaching 2nd grade, Melissa is moving to 1st grade this year due to budget cuts. With a class size of 26 students—the largest she’s ever had—supplies are limited, and Melissa has been purchasing many on her own. Any support to help her create a successful learning environment for her students would be greatly appreciated! ✅ UPDATE: Melissa Killmer's list is cleared!✅
📚📓✏️🍎 Tuesday, August 27th Clear the List Teacher Spotlight: Meet Melissa Russell, the dedicated general music teacher at Bucks Hill Elementary School in Waterbury. As she prepares for her 6th year at Bucks Hill and with nearly 20 years of experience working with kids, Melissa is passionate about creating a positive and organized learning environment. She teaches grades K-5, directs the concert choir, and leads a beginner modern band. In Waterbury, a Title 1 district, Melissa’s wish list includes items to keep the classroom organized and to create a calm, safe space for students who need it. ✅ UPDATE: Melissa Russell's list is cleared!✅
📚📓✏️🍎 Monday, August 26th Clear the List Teacher Spotlight: Diana Gascon is a dedicated middle school reading teacher with nearly 20 years of experience in East Hartford and 24 years in education overall. This year, she will be teaching 7th grade at East Hartford Middle School. Diana has also held literacy leadership roles in other districts, but her heart remains with the East Hartford community and the families she serves. She finds joy in the daily challenges of working with middle school readers and values being part of a team that is committed to student success. Diana is grateful for the chance to enhance her classroom environment to make it as welcoming and encouraging as possible for her students. ✅ UPDATE: Diana Gascon's list is cleared!✅
📚📓✏️🍎 Friday, August 23rd Clear the List Teacher Spotlight: Brenna Boyland is a passionate 4th-grade teacher at McAlister Intermediate School in Suffield, now in her 7th year of teaching. Originally from West Hartford, she spent five years teaching in Title I schools in North Carolina before returning to Connecticut. Brenna loves creating a positive, engaging classroom environment where her students feel like family. She’s excited to use the items on her list to make her classroom a place students love to walk into every day. Brenna is also a proud new mom, enjoying every moment with her 8-month-old son. ✅ UPDATE: Brenna Boyland's list is cleared!✅
📚📓✏️🍎 Thursday, August 22nd Clear the List Teacher Spotlight: Meet Jennifer Hong, a dedicated teacher with 28 years of experience, currently teaching art at the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford. This year, her students will participate in The Empty Bowl Project, a community initiative to support families facing food insecurity. Jennifer’s art classes, spanning preschool through high school, will focus on pottery and ceramics, with students creating bowls to donate for a fundraising dinner in May. The project is a collaborative effort, involving horticulture, culinary arts, and Family Education Services students. Jennifer is seeking support to help clear her wish list for the tools needed to make this impactful project a success. ✅ UPDATE: Jennifer Hong's list is cleared!✅
📚📓✏️🍎 Wednesday, August 21st Clear the List Teacher Spotlight: Lisa Almada, a special education teacher at North Street School in Windsor Locks, is entering her 11th year of teaching kindergarten through 2nd grade. This year, she has added several items to her list to support social-emotional learning, including materials to create a space where students can openly share their feelings. Other items on her list will help organize student work and teaching supplies, as well as time-saving resources like pre-made bulletin boards, allowing her to focus more on her students. She expresses gratitude to everyone supporting teachers, saying, “You guys are awesome for thinking of us!” ✅ UPDATE: Lisa Almada's list is cleared!✅
📚📓✏️🍎 Tuesday, August 20th Clear the List Teacher Spotlight: Jessica Frissora has been a dedicated first-grade teacher at Hop Brook Elementary School in Naugatuck for over 25 years. Over the years, she has invested in creating a welcoming and cozy classroom environment. However, during COVID, she had to get rid of many items like carpet squares and pillows. With a new reading curriculum being introduced this year, Jessica is revamping her classroom to bring back that warmth and make it a positive space for her students to develop a lifelong love of reading. ✅ UPDATE: Jessica Frissora's list is cleared!✅
📚📓✏️🍎 Monday, August 19th Clear the List Teacher Spotlight: Meet Brittany Macellaro, a dedicated K-2 Reading Intervention teacher at Joel Elementary School in Clinton. Brittany works tirelessly with struggling readers, many of whom are multilingual learners and come from low socioeconomic backgrounds. As a teacher at a Title 1 school, Brittany is committed to helping her students develop essential reading skills, and she believes that with the right tools and resources, they can achieve great success. ✅ UPDATE: Brittany Macellaro's list is cleared!✅
🌟 Interested in supporting Christine and Salt's 501c3 charity, Rise and Shine CT, in their year-round efforts? Click here! 🌟