Blessing Findlay Schools

“I can’t believe summer break is over and students will be back in less than a week,” said one Glenwood Middle School teacher, “and I haven’t been able to get my classroom ready yet!” This must have been a common saying among teachers throughout Findlay recently.

The pressures of teaching are great. Sure, teachers get time off from work--they can get away all summer, during Christmas & spring break, not to mention a bunch of additional holidays scattered throughout the year. But in reality, teachers’ work can be tiresome, demanding, and sometimes even discouraging.

As Gateway is opening its North Main campus, we are seeking to be intentional about reaching out to those involved in local schools--students, parents, and teachers. So, just a few days prior to students being welcomed back to Findlay City Schools, I heard that--unlike many other schools in the district--Glenwood Middle School teachers do not receive any funding for basic classroom supplies that are needed each year. In fact, the cost of these supplies generally comes from each teacher’s paycheck.

This was a prime opportunity to bless these teachers. We--Gateway Church--gave each of the 48 Glenwood teachers a $100 gift card to purchase some of the supplies they need for their classrooms.

After doing so, the principal, Janice Panuto, invited me to share about Gateway with her staff, which included all 48 teachers. I took that opportunity to thank them for the intentional ways they are investing in our kids, to assure them that Gateway is praying regularly for them, and to remind them that we want to offer whatever support we can.

We are thrilled to be able to bless Glenwood teachers in this way! But, there is much more to be done. There are various volunteer opportunities (i.e. mentoring, reading with students, helping at lunchtime) at both Glenwood Middle School and Jacob’s Elementary School that will allow us to strategically invest in students, parents, and teachers.

Would you consider making an investment in these schools with me? If so, please let me know. I’d love to talk with you about how you can help!

Connecting People to Jesus Together,

Mike Barnhart
Campus Pastor
Gateway North Main
MBarnhart@gatewayepc.org, 419-423-5947