CMSD NEWS BUREAU

10/4/2021

Carla Neely, an Ohio Teacher of the Year finalists for 2022, received a shopping spree of school supplies over the weekend thanks to Shoes and Clothes for Kids.

Neely, a science teacher at CMSD’s Warner Girls’ Leadership Academy and Teacher of the Year for State Board of Education District 11, says it was an honor to be able to gather an unlimited amount of supplies for her students.

“I got as much as I could,” said Neely, a 25-year teacher who joined CMSD in 2015. “I was looking and running at the same time to see where everything was located.”

Neely picked up $992 worth of supplies that included folders, printing paper, composition notebooks and disinfecting wipes.  

Neely, who teaches fifth and sixth graders, works to provide opportunities in the science and STEM fields for African American girls in elementary and middle school grades.

Shoes and Clothes for Kids is a nonprofit that provides new shoes, school uniforms, clothes and school supplies throughout the year at no charge to thousands of children in need.

Each quarter, teachers in high-poverty areas in Greater Cleveland, can come to SC4K’s resource center to pick up supplies for their classes.

“We just wanted to say thank you and congratulate Ms. Neely,” said Monica Lloyd, SC4K director of programs.

Neely was one of four finalists for Ohio Teacher of the Year. The award went to Oberlin High School teacher Kurt Russell.

This is the second time SC4K has offered an Ohio Teacher of the Year finalist the opportunity to grab supplies in a 3-minute spree.

In 2018, Orchard STEM teacher and Ohio Teacher of the Year finalist, Catherine Duplisea participated in a spree while pregnant.