Just in time for Thanksgiving, here is a story that touched our hearts .
This fall, Salley Storey, teacher at East Central Junior High in Tulsa-OK, challenged her 7th grade READ 180 students to improve their SRI scores by 25 lexiles or more. To provide her students with further motivation in achieving this goal, Salley developed a plan to donate one Thanksgiving meal ticket, for a person in need, in the name of each succeeding student.
With some hard work and determination, Salley’s class was able to provide 48 meal tickets to those in need this holiday season—47 of those tickets came directly from students increasing their scores!
As Salley explains, “It’s been inspiring and a lot of fun to see the kids respond to this challenge. They really connected their score to the meal tickets. After completing the test, many asked, “Did I get a ticket?” There were smiles when I answered, “Yes;” and disappointment when I said, “Not this time.” In other words, earning one meal for a person in need was their motivation.”
The 48th ticket came from an additional donation from a student who didn’t quite meet their goal, but still wanted to help a person in need. “After class, a student came to my desk and said, "I didn't reach the goal of raising my SRI by 25 lexiles, but I'd like to buy a meal ticket for a homeless person." This really touches my heart. So, instead of 47 meal tickets, we are sending 48,” said Salley.
