More than $15,000 from teacher wish lists fulfilled

Posted July 10, 2023

The Plymouth Education Foundation celebrated its 35th year of providing support to the Plymouth School District with a new Teacher Wish List Program, launched during the 2022-23 school year.

Each staff member was asked to list items wanted or needed for their classrooms. About 65 teachers and support staff responded, and the foundation shared the lists through articles, social media posts, and word-of-mouth interactions.

The community embraced the initiative in a big way, donating $12,500 to buy items on the wish lists. The foundation funded another $2,150 worth of wishes, for a total impact of more than $15,000.

“It was an amazing and easy way to help support our staff with basic wants or needs,” said executive director Andrea Schultz. “We had an overwhelming positive response, and were reminded again of how supportive the Plymouth community continues to be.”

Some teachers asked for pens and pencils; others wanted books or headphones; still others listed specific pieces of equipment. Below are some of the many enhancements funded through this initiative.

• Language trips, global dinners, and flags: Requested by PHS Spanish teacher Laura Koebel. “We were able to make our language trip more affordable for all students,” she said. “The money for the global dinners helped keep the cost down and enable more students to attend and try ethnic cuisine, get to know our exchange students, and talk about common and global interests.”
• Donation toward an Autel diagnostic tool for PHS automotive classes. Requested by PHS technology education teacher Beau Biller and provided by Nicole and Michael McEvoy.
• Miter saw for Riverview technology education classes: Requested by teacher Andrew Harder and donated by Mike Haucke from Haucke Plumbing & Heating, representing the Ernest and Ruth Haucke Scholarship Fund. Mr. Haucke was inspired to give back, noting that it is something his grandfather, Ernest Haucke, an industrial arts teacher in the Plymouth schools for 32 years (1950-1982), would have done to help grow craftsmanship.
• $1,300 in supplies for Riverview eighth-graders: Requested by teacher Allie Ansay and fulfilled by David Marthenze of JDL Automotive & Detailing. "Thanks to JDL Automotive, my eighth-grade students have more reading materials, flexible seating and classroom resources that will impact their learning for years to come," Ms. Ansay said. "This generous donation shows how outstanding the community of Plymouth is! We are beyond grateful for the opportunities this donation has provided!"

In addition, the Plymouth Walmart donated $750, which was matched by the Plymouth Education Foundation to fulfill wishes for numerous teachers.

The foundation plans to keep the momentum going by continuing to share wish lists this coming school year and beyond, Mrs. Schultz said. “Thank you to all who participated,” she said. “You are making a difference!”

Learn more:
• Explore Community Engagement section of our interactive, award-winning District Report Card to learn more about how community partnerships yield opportunities for our students.

Mike Haucke from Haucke Plumbing & Heating, representing the Ernest and Ruth Haucke Scholarship Fund, donates a miter saw to Riverview tech ed teacher Andrew Harder and his students.

David Marthenze of JDL Automotive & Detailing presents Riverview eighth-grade teacher Allie Ansay with $1,300 in school supplies.

Plymouth High School students enjoy a language trip, made more affordable thanks to a wish-list donation to Spanish teacher Laura Koebel.