From Tragedy Comes Hope: Classes 4 Classes Spreads Kindness & Teaches Compassion

Yesterday, I sat teary-eyed listening to the words of Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis, the Keynote Speaker at the Hearts of Hope breakfast benefiting The Women's Center.

This former Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher saved her entire first grade class from the tragic events that took place on December 14, 2012 by piling them into the tiny, single-occupancy, classroom bathroom. 

For many, the world will never be the same. Kaitlin knew that positive social change was needed, and that this needed to begin with the youngest members of our society, our K-8 students. She chose hope, and got to work spreading it far and wide.

Enter: Classes 4 Classes. This dynamic social network that promotes kindness and social curriculum by connecting teachers and students with other classrooms is changing the world - one classroom, one student, at a time. 

Kaitlin explains, "The platform provided by our website actively engages students in learning a social curriculum through the exchange of gifts with other K-8 classrooms, which fulfill a need or educational objective. These gifts are crowd-funded by visitors and donors to our site. The gift is given to the teacher and the students in the receiving classroom only once the project goal is reached, and the receiving classroom has started their own project to “pay it 4ward” to another classroom.

Here's what you need to know:

• Classes 4 Classes is 100% FREE.
• Classes 4 Classes engages students in learning a social curriculum through the exchange of gifts with other K-8 classrooms.
• Classes 4 Classes teaches every K-8 student compassion.
• Classes 4 Classes connects students and teachers around the globe.

Here's what teachers need to do:

• Visit Classes 4 Classes website HERE and sign up!
• Create a Profile (just like you do on Facebook). 
• Get matched, choose a gift, and post it (you can read the details here).
• Visit Classes 4 Classes project pages and showcase everything your students are already doing! Sign your class up today and get connecting: www.classes4classes.org

If you're not a teacher, you can STILL participate! 

• You can browse through an array of supplies and resources requested by teachers and students throughout the globe. 
• You can sign up for Classes 4 Classes updates.
• You can donate to Classes 4 Classes.
• Parents can learn ways to spread kindness at home.

Have questions about Classes 4 Classes? Read the FAQ's here or email Kaitlin at info@classes4classes.org