Teacher’s Assoc. of Norwalk La Mirada Hosts ‘Caring Beyond the Classroom’

HELPING OUT: (l-r) Former NLMUSD Counselor Cathy Alvarez, NLMUSD Superintendent John Lopez, Trustee Dr. Robert Cancion and Board President Norma Amezcua at the event.

 

By Tammye McDuff

The eighth annual ‘Caring Beyond the Classroom’ community drive-through event was held this past Friday, August 6, at John Glenn High School in Norwalk.

Educators and community organizations in the Norwalk / La Mirada Unified School District want students and parents to know how much they love teaching the children and supporting the families in the community. “We are delighted and privileged to bring you this community outreach event today,” said Maureen Quiros Gray, TANLA President, “this is our idea of a one- stop fair where you can find school supplies necessary to help prepare our children for the new school year!”

TANLA stands for Teachers Association of the Norwalk La Mirada Area and is made up of more than 900 educators, teachers and counselors from preschool, elementary, middle, high and adult schools in the NLM USD.

As a passionate advocate for quality public education, they have awarded $40,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors over the past eight years. Each December, TANLA adopts a family and provides items needed to provide a happy holiday. TANLA is part of the California Teachers Association and the National Education Association.

“I would like to thank all of our wonderful educators and community sponsors who have partnered with us to make this event possible,” Gray added. Kelley Rush Ferguson, principal at Unsworth Elementary School in Downey and TANLA president Maureen Quiros Gray helped organize and host the event.

TANLA believes all children, regardless of family circumstances, where they live, where they were born, how they look, who they love or the language they speak have the right to a public education that helps them reach their full potential.