I would like to start this email by introducing myself to you. My students and families refer to me as Ms. Trisha. I have been an Early childhood teacher in the Plainfield School District in Illinois at Bonnie McBeth Learning Center for 5 years now. My career in teaching started 11 years ago. I have worked in a few districts, but finally I can say I finally found a permanent home in Plainfield. My family and I purchased our first home here even to plant our roots. My step-children both attend, well one just graduated 2 weeks ago, Plainfield schools. The people I work with at BMLC are fantastic. Honestly, they are like family to me. Throughout the entire district I have made connections with people that I would consider more than coworkers; they are my friends.

With that said, I am not oblivious to all of the issues going on around our city, area, state, country, and world. Like I stated before I have worked in other districts. My first teaching job was in the lowest socioeconomic status neighborhood in Rockford, IL. My students and families came into our program with all kinds of risk factors in their lives (substance abuse, incarcerated parents, homelessness, gang affiliation, English language learner, divorced or single parents, etc). I also was a licensed foster parent for 10 years and during that time provided care for 6 different children. In education we now have a term called ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) that we refer to when we have a student with any of these life experiences. Growing up I guess I can say I was blessed and was lucky to not have any of these ACEs in my life. Starting young I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. In college as I did my clinicals and student teaching I determined my passion was to teach Early Childhood. The old cliche of wanting to make a difference in the life of a child was my reason for wanting to be a teacher. However, I am the person that is always up for a challenge so I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the children that needed it the most. Hence, I also got my special education and english as a second language endorsements. No one goes into teaching for the money....Haha! Sad, but true. In fact, I actually work in one of the lowest paying districts in my area. We have very little industry and thus a lower tax base. The district cannot afford to pay the employees more, but since I love the people I work with so much, I stay. Happiness far outweighs money.

Wadee Alfayoumi's brutal murder and his mother Hanan Shaheen's attack on October 14, 2023 in Plainfield, IL made world news. I pass by the home they used to live in every day on my way to work and on my way home. I used to go home for lunch and I would see him get off the bus with his mom greeting him. There were days when he would be swinging in the hammock in the tree or riding his scooter in a nearby parking lot or playing with a ball in the yard. The day of the incident it showed up on my ring when the first emergency vehicles arrived there. There were so many rumors on social media. Then it hit the Chicago news stations and the information was conflicting. The truth is that I knew the family and none of it made sense to me. I knew something was not right with the story and I was fearful of the truth. On October 15, I received a call from my principal and found out the whole truth prior to the public. The school district had received notification prior to the media and wanted to let people close to the student know what had happened. It was a day I will never forget. The 6 year old Kindergarten student that passed away, previously had been my student at BMLC for 2 years. I then had to call all of my staff and let them know.

Losing a student is never easy. I've been through it before, but this has been different for obvious reasons. His death was and still is so public. Wadee became an international face for "Peace" overnight. My student became famous essentially and is making a difference. It has been interesting to me through reflection just how much impact students have upon teachers. Teachers want to make a difference upon children, but sometimes it is the children that make the difference upon the teacher. I have learned so much from this experience. I can honestly say my team has as well. Everyone grieves in different ways obviously, but we have done it together. Throughout the school year there have been Wadee stories consistently, his favorite fidgets were pulled from the bin and sit on my desk, in his honor my staff entered the Christmas door decorating contest, we all have matching bracelets we wear in his memory.......the list goes on and on. Wadee was one of those students. Literally EVERYONE at BMLC knew him or knew who he was. Wadee was the kiddo that always was the caboose at the end of my rope in the hallway, he had to play with the red basketball (no other color) on the playground, he knew every planet in order and was fascinated with the solar system, he loved anything with letters or numbers on it, he had a smile that was infectious, loved to give high fives, and gave me a hug every day when he came into the classroom from the bus.
It has been a rough school year for sure. My team made it! We are now on summer break. Next year I want to surprise them and change up my classroom theme. Since Wadee was so fascinated with space and the planets I want to make that my theme. My staff has absolutely no idea! As part of that I also would like to spruce up my sensory/calming area and fine motor toy area which were his absolute favorite things in the classroom. My team has been through a lot and I just want to help with the process. I also want to make sure that Wadee's memory is alive in our classroom. I did create an Amazon wishlist which can be located here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1KV17L3BSQRDV?ref_=wl_share
There are also resources I have found on teachers pay teachers that would be very beneficial to my student. My Etsy cart is full of items and has a classroom theme pay ready for me to purchase. I love shopping from the small business and individuals as my way to give back..I am not asking for anything big. Honestly, I appreciate any small donation you could make. As a teacher, my personal family budget is tight. Thank you so much for your time in reading this long message. Please, pray for peace!