MIDLAND, Texas — Teachers are considered some of the most important members of any community.
They teach generations of students to help get ready for their next chapter in life while helping them become responsible adults.
Sometimes, teachers need a little help themselves.
“By this time of the year, I don't have a lot of glue or we're running out of construction paper or printer paper for my personal printer in my classroom,” said Jennifer Sites, a teacher with St. Anne's Catholic School.
This is when the Winter Wishes Spectacular comes into play. Brought together by the Midland Education Foundation and Midland Independent School District, the goal is to help give teachers everything they need to supply their classrooms and help educate their students.
It all got started with one simple question.
“Why are teachers posting on social media that they need supplies in a city like Midland? Can't we make this happen where we can supply what they need?" said Anita Gamertsfelder, the director of the Midland ISD Education Foundation. "So that idea found its way to the Midland Education Foundation, we made a few phone calls and got some donors who were enthusiastically on board with blessing teachers.”
Fast forward a few years and the event has never been stronger.
Nearly 1,300 teachers flocked to the Bush Convention Center to fill up goodie bags with as much school supplies as they could.
The options were plentiful. Notebooks, coloring supplies, rulers, scissors, graph paper, printing paper and even tissues were up for the taking.
Each teacher was more than happy to pick up some much needed supplies as the calendar turns over to 2025.
Even if some educators weren't able to make it, everyone was more than willing to share.
“Going through with as many students that we have in the campuses, those are some of the things that we do. Even with tissues, even one tissue box, we said, 'okay, one of you take one,' even if we don't need it, we'll share out," said Elva Aguilar, a teacher with Sam Houston Elementary School. "Some of us were saying, 'did we need these graph papers?' No, but I know my math teacher does need that.”
The event also served as a friendly reminder that, despite all the stress they may go through, teachers will always be loved and respected by their community.
“It just kind of elaborates of how our community... when someone is in need, especially with education, we have the support of this area and with our community that education is very important," Aguilar said. "This is something that here in West Texas and even in Midland that is very important for us as teachers.”