This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Our school is the oldest high school in our county. We teach drawing, painting, sculpting/ceramics, visual arts, and photography. The kiln we presently have is over 25 years old. My students deserve a kiln that works properly, has a lid that attached, and will fire the glaze on their pieces.
Our school is the oldest high school in our county.
Our enrollment is a little under 2000 students. We do have a large population of students who are on free and reduced lunch. We also house the only International Baccalaureate (IB) program within our county. We have so many talented art students in our school. Our students would love to have a kiln that works properly. The students spend a lot of time creating a piece just to have the kiln not fire well or not to be able to apply the glazing because the kiln won't reach the required temperature. Our students are very excited we are doing something to try to get a kiln for them. With budgets continuing to be cut, we do not have the large sum of money needed to get another kiln. The only way we will be able to get a new kiln for our students is to have donations from people who either want to give because they love our school/students or people who want to support the arts. Either way, it will be our students who benefit. :)
My Project
I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful it would be to have a new kiln when we have been working with one that is older than 25 years. I know this because I have taught here for 25 years, and the kiln was here BEFORE I began teaching at this school. Students will be able to see their creations go from a clump of clay to a beautiful creation that was first seen in their creative minds. The art club also helps to create bowls for a "Feed the Hungry" fundraiser. This past year, however, I had to take all of our bowls to another high school in our county (20 minutes away) just to fire the glaze. We have many students who want to fulfill their dreams of becoming artists. Replacing the 25 year old kiln will help students in our school for the next 25 years!!! The impact will not only touch the 300 students now but will help 300 next year, and 300 the year after that, and so on.
High School students today are being pulled in so many directions.
A creative outlet is vitally important for many students' growth and success during high school. I have personally seen some students who feel like an outcast or "different" shine in my class. They find kindred spirits in my class and help each other grow creatively. If we do not get the kiln donated, we won't get a kiln. In fact, we had to get donations from our parents and faculty this year for paper towels this year!
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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 Mrs. Callaway and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.