Harrisburg School District teacher Valeri White takes care of more than just the students in her classroom. She helps their whole families.
Less than two months ago, she helped raise money to buy a car for a single mom to get to work.
Her commitment to families and the community in Harrisburg earned her a regional award last month through a Harrisburg-based organization called MLK365.
Downey Elementary School principal Rhonda Eckenroth was not surprised White was honored, as she said White has always prioritized putting students first throughout her years with the district.
“When it comes to Ms. White, it’s always about the students and their families,” Eckenroth said. “She did it through the pandemic and continues to do that. Her priority is to get them in, love them, value them, take care of them and grow them.”
“It’s an understanding that no matter what, they can,” Eckenroth said. “The number one indicator of success is believing your students, and she’s got that in spades.”
Every year, the MLK365 organization chooses an educator in central Pennsylvania for the award based on their contributions and involvement in a community. The award was created in honor of Martin Luther King’s last sermon in 1968, “The Drum Major Instinct,” which highlights leadership and what it means to be successful.
White has been working in the Harrisburg School District for almost 30 years.
“I was surprised, and I felt very honored to be recognized for an award like that especially on MLK Day,” she said. “Because I feel like what I do every day, it’s my job, and I love it so much.”
She said making a “school and home connection” is crucial for not only helping students but their parents as well. Before the school year starts, she connects with parents to introduce herself and to let them know what classroom they’re going to be in.
“I think that makes them feel at ease,” she said. “Teachers don’t have to reach out like that, but I feel that building a strong connection with the parents is important because they are the first teachers to their kids. And I’m here to help the students grow in the classroom.”
Through her connection to her students, she discovered that a parent without a vehicle was struggling to get to work and daycare.
“I had a student with a hardworking mom taking multiple buses every day to daycare and work,” she said. “And it was taking a lot of stress and time for her. And after a couple of days, we made a car happen for her.”
White said the mother was in disbelief after she surprised her with the car along with a $500 gift card for gas in December.
“She didn’t see it coming,” White said.
White said the mother was able to get another job because of the convenience of having a car.
In the past, White said she helped arrange for a flight for a family member from Puerto Rico to Harrisburg after a student said he wanted to see his grandmother for Christmas.
She has been finding ways to help parents and students around the holidays for 11 years. She said 13 families received surprise gifts last year. White told PennLive she doesn’t help families to gain attention or recognition.
“I do it because I love it,” she said. “I love working in Harrisburg city with the kids. I want families to know that they have somebody there for them. When you leave kindergarten, you’re a part of my family forever.”
White said she is able to help with the gifts through an initiative that provides Harrisburg School District families with a Christmas they may have never had. White requested to keep the organization anonymous.
White said the gifts range from “food, gift cards, toys, clothes, cleaning supplies and basic needs for families in need because I know it’s going to be helpful for that kid in the classroom.”
Last month, the organization held the Central PA MLK Jr. Day of Service event at Marshall Math Science Academy. The annual event was created to encourage and empower Americans to participate in their communities in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
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