Teacher Battling Cancer: Dancing AACPS Students Raise Thousands For Her Treatment
SEVERN, MD — Their teacher is battling cancer. These students decided to do something about it: dance.
Severn Elementary School hosted a dance-a-thon Tuesday for first-grade teacher Julie Moore. The fundraiser has collected $6,555 to treat Moore’s Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer.
“It shows the love and support of my Severn community, friends, family, and even people who don’t know me personally, but have heard my story,” Moore told Patch in a Tuesday email. “I am overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers and people who surround me in life.”
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Students danced their hearts out for 30 minutes, generating sponsorships from family, friends and businesses.
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“This fundraiser reflects the Severn community’s compassion, generosity and unity,” Principal Isaphine Smith told Patch in a Tuesday email. “I am blessed every day to serve this wonderful community but days like today are extremely special.”
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Smith described Moore as “kindness personified” and “an amazing person … who lights up the room with her smile.” The principal praised Moore for being a dedicated and highly effective teacher.
“Ms. Moore’s classroom is always a fun and engaging place to be,” Smith said. “She is the type of teacher that learns a new strategy one day and tries it in her classroom the next day. She works tirelessly to find new and innovative ways to motivate her learners and ensure their success.”
Moore’s first-grade teacher inspired her to become an educator. Having taught at Severn Elementary for seven years, Moore loves watching her students learn and grow as readers.
“Teaching is my true passion and joy,” Moore said. “I love being here with the kids and with my friends. It is providing me a good distraction during my treatment and it keeps me happy. I am happy to see the kids learning and enjoy spending my days collaborating and laughing with my coworkers.”
Moore has a 3-year-old son, Barrett, and a 1-year-old daughter, Briar.
Community members can still donate to Moore’s treatment fund at this link.
“The support has been amazing from meals to cards, texts, and donations,” Moore said. “I would like to say thank you for the support that my principal, Isaphine Smith, Assistant Principal, Liz Abell, my first grade team, and my work bestie Stephanie Frost have provided and for all of their hard work that went into coordinating the Dance-A-Thon fundraiser.”
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