Teacher gets creative to help students stay active during pandemic

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — A Cabarrus County teacher is getting creative trying to keep her kids active and make sure they have the supplies they need.

Anchor Brittney Johnson learned how she’s using social media to get the attention of businesses, celebrities, and everyday people, willing to donate and help.

Shannon Palomba contacted Johnson on Twitter during the morning show Friday saying she is looking for businesses or groups to help her give her students “recess bags”

“My coworker actually came up with the idea of having gym bags created so they still have these toys to play with. We needed chalk, jump ropes, something to keep them physically active that way when red light green light doesn’t work any longer, we still have something for them to fall back on,” Palomba said.

Palomba is a teacher at Bethel Elementary. Her students are back in the classroom, but due to Covid-19 restrictions, students only get two days on the playground every three weeks. The other days they play in wide open fields, but they’re not allowed to share equipment, which can limit the activities they participate in.

Palomba has used Amazon wish lists throughout her 3-year teaching career to ask for snacks, books and other items to help support her students. She often posts thank you notes to people who donate along with photos of the packages she’s received.

She says the support makes her feel the community appreciates the hard work teachers put in.

“Teachers love their job, it’s my 3rd year teaching, it’s the best job ever, support your teachers, love your teachers, keep encouraging them,” Palomba said.

Palomba says she had some leftover money from her last book drive that she is using to buy 16 gym bags for her students' recess bags. She is still accepting items to fill them. Check out the games and toys she’s requesting on her wish list here.

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