Janey Lee was born and raised in a working poor family on the citys East Side. Shes been teaching kindergarten at Thunderbird Elementary, an inner-city school, for the last 13 years. A stones throw from the provinces largest social housing project, her schools playground was condemned and torn down in the summer of 2009. With no available resources for a new playground, Lee approached her principal in 2009 and offered to raise the money herself.
She led seminars for teachers adapting to all-day kindergarten. The fees educators paid for the summer workshops went directly towards the new playground. Lee had no idea how expensive playground equipment would be. It would cost $25,000. The mother of two had to run the workshops over two summers in order to raise enough money to buy the playground equipment for her students. When she finally managed to raise the $25,000, to her dismay, she learned she needed another $10,000 to prepare the ground before the equipment could be installed.
Her plight and that of inner city schools came to light at a November Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Public Library Inner City panel discussion where Lee tearfully shared her dilemma. News of her story spread and concerned citizens came forward, helping fund the playground and help the schools breakfast program. Thanks to their teachers efforts, Thunderbird pupils got their new playground in early December. Hoping to continue making a difference in the lives of inner city youth, Lee joined Contributing to Lives of Inner City Kids, or CLICK, a non-profit community-based organization that helps to raise money for programs for inner city children and teens.
What sparked your fundraising efforts?
Our primary playground was torn down in the summer of 2009. We are across the street from the largest social housing project in the city. We have a lot of immigrant families, refugee families, single parent families, working poor families and many families on social assistance. Since it is so challenging to fundraise in our needy community, we had to be creative. I offered to do workshops for teachers in the summer with the money teachers paid to go directly towards the purchase of new playground equipment.
Biggest setback?
We were not expecting that the playground installation fee and fee to put it in the ground would cost $10,000. As a result, the new playground sat at the school board for over a month from October to mid November. It wasnt until our story was heard through the media that a private donor, Stan and Grace Hindmarsh, owners of Hallmark Retirement Home in Abbotsford, generously donated the whole $10,000 to our school for the installation.
We are so grateful to them. Three weeks later, on December 8, the new primary playground opened and the children were thrilled. We all couldnt stop smiling and had tears in our eyes seeing how excited and happy the children were playing on their new playground.
What does success look like?
Schools, parents and communities working together. Children who are happy and engaged in their learning at school. They feel loved and safe and take positive risks in learning.
Biggest challenge as a teacher?
We are no longer just teachers. We are also social workers, counsellors, nurses, social advocates; we provide food and clothing to children and families in need and the list goes on.
Best part of being a teacher?
Knowing that we are making a positive difference in the lives of the amazing children we have the honour of teaching and working with everyday.
If you were education minister?
I would immediately increase funding to our education system and stop downloading services onto our school boards.
Your favourite teacher ?
Mr. Gerry Kuniss, my high school social studies teacher at Templeton secondary. He is still teaching there today. Its been over 20 years and I know he is greatly admired and respected. He was my biggest inspiration to become a teacher because he made learning fun and relevant and he encouraged and taught us to think critically about issues.
Best life lesson youve learned?
How important it is to take the time to give back to your community.
One thing youd change about the world?
To make people realize that essentially we are all the same and we need to live in peace and harmony.
One thing you wish Vancouverites could do more?
Volunteer their time and/or help those in need in our community.
Biggest accomplishment?
Being blessed in having my two amazing children, Ty and Asia.
Biggest failure?
Failure is such a strong word. I like to see it as biggest learning experience.
How would you spend your last $20?
Id give it to KIVA. Its a non-profit, micro-lending organization that helps loan money to people in Third World countries in order to help build their businesses. Essentially, they help to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty.
Best place for coffee?
I dont drink coffee but I love the chai latte at the Laughing Bean on Hastings and Slocan.
Cheap place for dinner?
Bao Chau on Hastings and Slocan for their yummy pho noodle. Weve been going there since high school.
Favourite date place?
Anywhere Im with my husband, Bill.
Favourite pastime?
Volleyballit energizes me.
Who inspires you
My parents because I know how incredibly hard they have worked to raise seven children. They live simply and humbly and they inspire us to be better people.
Who bugs you?
Ignorant and racist people, also people who chew with their mouths open. Yikes!
Local person you admire most?
MLA Jenny Kwan. She was born and raised by immigrant parents. She came from humble beginnings and now she has been in the Legislature for the past 16 years advocating for and making positive changes for her community and others. Jenny is also a committed social activist and an incredibly passionate, intelligent and hard working woman.
