"Before the rest of the nation heard the phrase "foreclosure crisis", our neighborhoods were being boarded up. For decades our factories have been closing as jobs disappeared off-shore. In this city which has too often claimed the title "Poorest in America", the schools are kindly described by the me...
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"Before the rest of the nation heard the phrase "foreclosure crisis", our neighborhoods were being boarded up. For decades our factories have been closing as jobs disappeared off-shore. In this city which has too often claimed the title "Poorest in America", the schools are kindly described by the media as "disadvantaged", and "under-performing". Harsher critics use terms such as "Drop-out Factories", and describe our students as "prisoners in training."
It's true, many inner-city families live in poverty, and suffer the burdens that are too often symptomatic of the urban poor. As a result, many children come into the educational system quite damaged. They bring severe challenges that the schools struggle to address. The task, although difficult, is not impossible. A staff who is caring, combined with an innovative curriculum can wrestle success from hopelessness.
My school is doing just that.
We are an industrial trade school in the nation's Rustbelt. I teach visual art to welders, machinists, auto technicians, and construction students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade. An art credit is required for graduation, so I begin many a school year convincing reluctant students that art is not only relevant but vital. I teach art as visual problem solving and communication - with just a little therapy thrown in to round things out. We all have stories to tell and thoughts to share.
The 2009-10 school year brings a new opportunity to tell our stories. The advanced art class will be teaming with the journalism class, working together to bring an improved, visual component to the school's website and newspaper. Rather than sending a random student out to take snap shots for a story, I would like to teach a formal course in photojournalism.
My personal circle of friends include several reporters and professional photojournalists who are eager to volunteer their time and talent to the project. The biggest obstacle facing us is our lack of equipment. The school has 3 very old 2 mega-pixel digital cameras which the journalism students have used for the newspaper and yearbook for the past 5 years. Our principal has sent a request out to parents and friends of the school to donate old digital cameras, but as of this writing we have had no responses. A few new cameras with more advanced technology, that students could share, would go a long way toward making this project a reality.
Your donation will not only help our students learn new skills, but give them an additional venue to express their ideas. The kids at my school work very hard to overcome the difficulties life has tossed along their paths. With perseverance, belief in themselves, dedication from the staff, and help from the community, they are accomplishing marvelous things, and we would like to share their stories with the world.
My students need 3 Nikon digital cameras and 3 memory cards.
The cost of this proposal is $541, which includes shipping for any materials requested and fulfillment  ."
HIDE
Ms. M. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Aug 18, 2009
Dear Amber, Jen, Diana, Laura, Gary, Eileen and Anonymous Donors,
All I could think was "Wow!" when I opened up my e-mail this morning and learned that your kindness and generosity would provide my students with digital cameras this year. Thank you all so very much. Last year our new building principal asked me if there was an elective I would like to teach, and I said, "Yes, digital photography...But we don't have the equipment." He liked the idea, and suggested we could probably come up with a few old cameras for the kids to use. Although I was happy to be given the opportunity to teach the class, at the same time I felt the frustration which has dogged my entire career as an inner-city teacher: Once again my students must learn on tired, outdated, hand-me-downs, while the children living in the leafy suburbs a few short miles away, get to use the latest technology, in beautiful facilities. Determined to improve the situation, I immediately set out to find a grant that might cover the cost of cameras, and happily I discovered Donors Choose. Your gifts will enable my students to learn new skills, to find new voices, and to tell their own stories. Who knows what impact these cameras might make on their lives, their communities, or quite possibly, their world? With gratitude,
Ms. M.
Impact letter from the teacher coming soon!
Region:
Ohio
Where is the classroom located?
Submitted:
May 19, 2009
| Expires:
Oct 25, 2009
Additional Details
Level:
Grades 9-12
School type:
Magnet
Teacher's funded projects:
2
Thank-you punctuality:
N/A
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Emily M. (volunteer)
on May 25, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested technology and posted this project.
John C. (associate)
on May 25, 2009
A donor
gave
on May 26, 2009
"Thank you! Thank you!
Your generosity is most gratefully appreciated. You have started us along the path to reaching our goal."
The teacher Ms. M.
on May 28, 2009
"I gave to this project because...I have an art degree with a photo background and realize how much the arts can influence a student's life. Good luck to all of you! Show the world Cleveland Rocks!"
Jen
from Cleveland, OH
gave
on Jun 9, 2009
"Thank you so very much Jen.
I'm taking a digital photography class this summer to refresh my memory and give me a few new project ideas. I'm really inspired now. For the past few weeks I've been hitting the thrift stores and neighborhood garage sales searching for photography books. We don't have text books for the class yet, but this first group will be small, so I figure I will make good use of the copier and the internet."
The teacher Ms. M.
on Jul 2, 2009
"I gave to this project because I am an art teacher myself. I wish you and your students every success and would love to see how the project turns out. Good Luck.
Eileen"
"I donated because I know this is an important project to help kids learn and continue to educate themselves as they get older."
Laura
from Washington, DC
gave
on Aug 14, 2009
"The summer has been full of interesting developments for this project. I received a scholarship to attend a weeklong seminar at John Carroll University in Cleveland, put on by the organization Facing History and Ourselves. The seminar was entitled "Race and Membership". It was an intense look at what it means to belong to any societal group, and the impact membership has on the individual choices we make, and how we live as Americans.
The FHAO staff will be working with my photography students this coming school year to create an exhibition called "Where did We come From? Where are We Going?"
The students will spend the first semester studying the history of migration and immigration in the city of Cleveland, and exploring their individual community and personal identities, using digital photography. They will then create Life Magazine style photo essays, which will be exhibited in a local art gallery in the spring.
Thank you so much Eileen, Jen, and Laura for your gifts and your support. This is going to be a wonderful experience."
The teacher Ms. M.
on Aug 15, 2009
"As a visual anthropologist, I have a great appreciation for the importance of photojournalism, especially digital journalism as a medium for bridging geographic and cultural distances. One of these kids could snap a world-changing event one day, given the right tools and training."
"I gave to this project because children need the encouragement, motivation and tools necessary to compete in for today's world."
"Thank you both for your thoughtful gifts. Because of your generosity we are more than half-way to our goal!"
The teacher Ms. M.
on Aug 17, 2009
"I am beyond amazed! My inbox today has repeatedly notified me of donations in support of the Adam Lambert challenge. Once again, let me express my appreciation."
The teacher Ms. M.
on Aug 17, 2009
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in education."
Gary
from Kentucky
gave
on Aug 18, 2009
"I'm really happy to be able to help you with your project! Your plan is so worthwhile, and I know you and your students will have a positive impact in your community. Have fun!"
Project fully funded!
Happy news
on Aug 18, 2009
"Thank you Gary and Amber! Thank you everyone!
Your kindness allows us to BEGIN the school year with the cameras we need for this project.
A huge smile spread across my face this morning when I opened my laptop and read that my project was fully funded. This is my first experience with the Donors Choose organization, and I am truly heartened by response."
The teacher Ms. M.
on Aug 18, 2009
The teacher Ms. M.
on Aug 18, 2009
Purchased the technology for Ms. M.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.
Jenni D. (staff member)
on Aug 28, 2009
The teacher Ms. M.
on Nov 4, 2009
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