Supporting students in Mississippi

FROM DANIEL MILLENSON

[Please contact Daniel directly at the email provided if you want the “wish list” of books he refers to]

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you may know, I am currently serving as a 2009 Teach For America corps member in rural Mississippi, teaching 12th grade English and a class of theater arts. Holmes County, where I teach, is the second poorest county in the state, with an unemployment rate hovering around 20 percent. The county is 80 percent black, but since all white children in the county attend private school, the public school system is 100 percent black.

My students are an incredible group of kids who actively pursue an education in spite of the myriad hardships and uncertainties in their lives. Unfortunately, they have been lamentably underserved by their school system. The majority of my 12th graders read on a 4th to 8th grade level, with a significant number reading at below that level. Although my students and I are working extremely hard to dramatically improve their reading and writing skills, our task is made more difficult by a lack of books in my school.

Textbooks at the school are written for those already at a 12th grade reading level, and the library struggles to maintain a collection under the strains of a limited budget. However, I know that with access to high-interest, reading level-appropriate literature in the classroom, my students could make substantial gains in their literacy skills – gains that that will empower them to change their own lives for the better. I therefore hope that you will consider searching your bookshelves to donate any middle or high school level books you may be able to spare.

To assist you in searching for appropriate literature, I have attached a “wish list” of books that Teach For America teachers in Holmes County believe would make strong contributions to classroom libraries. You may also access this list on Amazon.com by searching for my email address, dmillenson[at]gmail[dot]com. If you lack middle school books at home and/or wish to contribute money, purchasing even one or two books off of the Amazon wish list (especially graphic novels and books with African-American characters) will go a long way to creating an effective classroom library. I should emphasize, however, that the list is by no means exhaustive; we can put all of your books to good use. Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity. I know that with your help, we can make a significant difference in the lives of some of our country’s most disadvantaged students. If you know of any other friends who may be interested in donating to our library, please forward this email along.

Sincerely,

Daniel Millenson

English & Theater Arts Teacher

J. J. McClain High School

Holmes County School District