Under privileged doesn't mean stupid, it doesn't mean lazy, and it doesn't mean violent. Yet my students are often categorized as all three because of where they go to school. Not many look at them and see they are a daily spark of positive encouragement in an often dark world.
I currently teach in a Title I New York City high school in which 98 percent of our students are at or under the poverty line.
And when you see them on a daily basis you would never know how many adult responsibilities they carry on their shoulders at such a young age. Often times their number one priority is merely survival. I don't say that to create a sob story, or make any one feel sorry or sympathy for them. I state it more so to inspire. Because that is what they are, a true inspiration. Their brilliance doesn't lie strictly within the pages of a book. Their brilliance lies within their tenacity, perseverance and hunger for opportunity. They see and face struggle everyday however, their goals and ambition keep their eyes on the prize. Even when they face tremendous hurdles, they handle life and their education with grace and humility. They triumphantly stride to even the playing field, and seize all opportunities that are not often presented to them.
My Project
For the past three years we have been unable to fully provide our students with activities that they truly have earned and deserve. This year's graduating class has been struggling since their Junior year to raise funds to help cover or ease the cost of basic activities that we as adults look back so fondly on when we think our last moments in high school. In true generous fashion the students have also donated a great deal of their time and funds to help cover costs for one of their peers that has fallen ill with Cancer. We have fallen extremely short of reaching our goals and their Senior trip is in jeopardy. My students have worked hard for four years, have met and surpassed graduation requirements and deserve to be celebrated. This trip being funded would mean the world to them and would show them that their hard work through adversity was not in vain.
My students don't ask for much which is why they deserve the world.
New York is truly a beautiful place to live, but they should be able to see the world beyond their four walls. Many of my students have never left their town or the city. This opportunity to visit Boston for the first time is a cultural celebration of a great accomplishment. It is more than just a pat on the back and job well done. It would not only be a dream come true, but a dream that was cultivated and earned.
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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. Jean-Baptiste and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.