My students need a way to get out of the classroom. This greenhouse, 13 bags of various potting mixes, plastic pots, and a Micro-Drip starter set will provide that opportunity.
It starts here... with you... with me... with a bunch of kids that are about to have their minds blown and world opened up. I just finished up Graduate School with a degree in Middle School Science. I did my undergraduate work in Conservation Biology. I am walking into a classroom for my first year!
I was offered a position at the school where I was lucky enough to do my internship.
These kids come from rough living situations and there is not much happiness in their lives.
Quick story... Last year, a 6'2" 300 lb student, told me to shut the f@#$ up in the middle of class. It just so happened this occurred two days before I took the entire seventh grade on a kayaking trip. So when we went on the trip, I made this student be my partner in my kayak and we set off paddling.
This student's mother died two years ago, and his father is in and out of jail. He is literally homeless and I had never once seen him smile. Once we start down the river, this young man turns around to me and says, "Mr. Rentz, I am having fun!" with the biggest smile across his face. When he turned around the tears flowed from my eyes. These are my kids and they need your help!
My Project
This past year I had the opportunity to start a garden in our school courtyard. Prior to the garden, it looked like a prison yard. I was able to take some of the students with the worst behavior problems and paired them with some of our special needs students, and we planted three raised beds.
It was so much fun and it was great watching and learning with the students. They learned socialization skills and they learned so much Biology and so much about living. I live on the coast of South Carolina. There is a project here called Seeds to Shoreline. I have requested a greenhouse, potting mix, plastic pots, and a Micro-Drip starter set so my students will be able to participate in the Seeds to Shoreline program.
This program focuses on restoration of the local salt marshes by growing Spartina grass, and culminating with a trip to the salt marsh to plant the grasses. In addition to this program, we will be able to jump start our vegetable garden and ultimately use the produce in our cafeteria with the help of a local organization called The Green Heart Project.
Making memories and changing lives!
That's my mantra. Most of my students have no clue where their food comes from or have an idea about what goes into it ending up in front of their faces. This project will position me as an educator to provide my students with knowledge, understanding and with a hands-on experience that they otherwise will probably not have access to. I'm guessing that the donors here believe in the power of education; that's why you are here. I do too! This is how it works.
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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 Mr. Chad and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
