One Teacher, One Classroom, One Lasting Tradition

This fall, Tanner Walsh will welcome about 20 first-grade students into his classroom in Crystal Falls, Michigan. Like many first-year teachers, he's spent the summer preparing lesson plans, arranging his classroom and thinking about everything his students will need on the first day of school. 

Fortunately, he won't have to do it alone. Someone else has been preparing for that first day, too. 

Before students arrive, Walsh will receive a truckload of classroom supplies from Michigan State University Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) employee Jill Black, who has made it her mission to help one first-year teacher begin each school year with confidence. 

For the past 16 years, Jill has spent her summers working two additional jobs as a baseball and softball scorekeeper. Every dollar she earns goes toward purchasing classroom supplies for a first-year teacher somewhere in Michigan. 

Her mission began with a simple conversation. Sixteen years ago, Jill's mother told her about a brand-new teacher in DeWitt who was preparing to open her classroom with very few supplies. Wanting to help, Jill purchased 30 notebooks, 30 pencils and 30 boxes of crayons and delivered them herself. Seeing the relief and gratitude on that teacher's face made a lasting impression. What started as one act of kindness quickly became an annual tradition, with Jill choosing to support a different first-year teacher each year. 

This year's delivery will be especially memorable. Crystal Falls, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is nearly a seven-hour drive from mid-Michigan, making it the farthest Jill has ever traveled to deliver supplies. 

Distance has never been a reason to stop. 

Her commitment has inspired others, too. After learning about her story last year, community members asked how they could help, leading Jill to create a GoFundMe campaign to support future classroom deliveries. This summer, her generosity inspired another unexpected act of kindness. While shopping for Tanner's classroom, another shopper offered to purchase supplies for the first-year teacher who wasn't selected. As a result, both first-year teachers in Iron County will receive everything on their classroom wish lists, along with additional classroom essentials. 

While shopping takes weeks of planning, Jill says one moment makes it all worthwhile. 

"The delivery part is the best part... seeing their faces," she told WILX. 

For Walsh, the supplies will help create a welcoming classroom for his students. For Jill, they represent something even bigger. 

"Just one person at a time. That's all it takes to change something," she said. 

Over the past 16 years, Jill has helped equip classrooms in communities across Michigan, and this year's journey to Crystal Falls marks her longest drive yet. But for Jill, the miles have never been the point. They're simply part of making sure one more first-year teacher begins the school year knowing someone believes in them. 

Those interested in supporting future first-year teachers can donate to Jill's GoFundMe campaign.