It says in the Talmud "Every blade of grass has its own angel that bends over it and whispers 'Grow, grow'." Sometimes our salvation comes in unexpected forms.
I am a veteran art teacher beginning my third year at a new school in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
We are located in one of New York's poorest neighborhoods, and my students face neighborhood violence that affects many of them directly. As I get to know my scholars, I am learning that many of them face challenges in their lives that I, as an adult, would not be able to navigate. They live in large project buildings with little contact with nature and many do not have the opportunity to care for a plant or an animal.
My Project
This spring we started a school/community garden. In this safe, nurturing space, students observe the natural world and experience science in action. I will be offering an internship in beekeeping. Focusing on boys at risk of gang involvement, students will have the opportunity to care for a colony and watch it grow. They will use the scientific process to make decisions that will affect whether the hive lives or dies and whether their business is a success.
I have kept bees for four years. I am trained to use an EpiPen and we will have access to one every time we visit the hive. We already have the protective equipment and bees we will use for next year. We are asking for support to purchase their home, a hive, that will live permanently at the garden and frames.
We are all aware of threats faced by the North American Honey Bee.
Are we as aware of the pressures face by children living in poverty? No one can predict what factors cause a young person to create a better life. By supporting this project, you may just help a child be saved bees.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Dorn and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.