As the fires roared through Los Angeles, Cathy T., a 6th grade teacher who is retiring in May and grew up in Altadena and Pasadena, offered to donate her classroom supplies for next year. Cathy connected with other teachers in the We Are Teachers Helpline. So far, no one has responded, but Cathy wrote, “I figure they’re still reeling from everything and are waiting to hear where they are going to be relocated to.”
SInce the L.A. fires started on January 7, 2025, more than 600,000 students have been displaced because of the fires, and schools are on varying timelines to reopen and serve students again. Regardless of when schools reopen, teachers and students will return to classrooms that are very different.
As teachers start to understand their needs moving forward, here are five ways to support them, with input from the We Are Teachers community:
1. Send letters of encouragement.
When she was in kindergarten, teacher Hannah K. was a recipient of letters from other kids after Hurricane Katrina and loved reading the letters that kids her age sent. “Most of the letters were just about what other people were doing to help from other elementary students across the country. … It was really nice to know that other people were wanting to help.” —Hannah K.
Have your students write letters or engage in a letter-writing campaign. Reach out to teachers in the We Are Teachers community to see who’s ready to receive an envelope-full.
If you’re going to do a letter-writing campaign, use these letter-writing templates.
2. Keep an eye out for wish lists.
Once teachers and students return to schools, they’ll learn more about what they need right now. Watch for online wish lists that you can donate to. One We Are Teachers contributor pointed out that basic supplies—pencils, markers, paper—may be in high demand as students return to learning.
3. Donate books.
High school English teacher and author Veronica Bane has set up a book donation form that teachers or parents can use to request or donate books. The initiative started for teen and YA books and has expanded to elementary and middle grade books as well.
Learn more: LA Fires Book Donation Form
4. Check out GoFundMe.
This fundraising website has pages of donation requests for teachers. For example, one page supports an Altadena teacher and her husband. Another page supports an El Monte high school teacher. Use the next school fundraiser to donate to a teacher or school on GoFundMe.
5. Donate to SupplyBank.org.
The California Department of Education has partnered with SupplyBank.org to direct resources to impacted schools. This is a great way to give a general donation that will be directed to the schools that need it most.
Also check out 9 Ways To Help Schools Impacted by Natural Disasters.