My Giving Story: Marisa Martinez

My Giving Story is about the children I teach each day and the students who will come after them. It’s about making sure they have every chance to have the best education possible. My giving story is about building a love for reading for them that will last them a lifetime and be something they pass down to their children. 

My Giving Story is about the incredible teachers I work with, have worked with, and will work with in the future that give their entire hearts and souls to go above and beyond for their students and schools. It’s about making sure there is equity in the resources they have available to do their jobs and achieve their goals as educators. It’s for the endless nights, stressful days, and tears that might have been shed out of sheer determination to make the impossible happen. These educators are the foundation of everything. 

My Giving Story is about a little boy or girl who might not have a book to read, an example to follow, or guidance to grow. It’s about being that example, that hand that guides their way, that person who shows them that books can take them to magical places and give them hope they never knew they could have. My Giving Story is about the endless teachers who step up to the plate to create projects that do just that- through words of encouragement to small gestures of gratitude. Their work in service projects that reach these kids is needed, essential, and a blessing.

My Giving Story is about the endless support and encouragement that I have gotten from this incredible organization. The feeling of being surrounded by inspiring and hard working educators who use their passion and voices to advocate for children and education is exhilarating and awe inspiring. I work hard to support them, learn from them, and grow with them. And I am honored to work alongside them and watch their journeys as they advocate for literacy and education. 

My Giving Story has driven my past and my future. The past which was growing up with a mother as an educator, a dad who made himself something without his college degree, and a sister who enthralled herself in books to manage life at school. My giving story is my mom who read to me before bed, took me to libraries, and built that love for the smell of books, the feeling of checking out books on my own, and the pride when I finished them each time. My giving story is my future, 3 little souls who light up my life and give me hope for a brighter future. That future that looks to me for guidance, searches for me to give hugs, and begs to be read to at night. 

Want to join the Leaders Readers Network this Giving Tuesday to help ensure children have access to high quality and relevant brand new books? Click here to learn more or Donate Today to sponsor a classroom. Your support will reach the most vulnerable students and unlock a lifelong love for learning, reading and creativity.