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
Can you recall middle school? Wanting to be treated like a grown up? My 8th graders take their academic career very seriously and have expressed a great desire for opportunities to distinguish themselves from the "underclassmen" by having increased responsibilities, such as lockers.
My students are 8th grade middle school students in a large Midwest city.
Our student population is 95% Black or Hispanic, 86% qualify for free or reduced lunch and, on average, only 40% arrive at our school able to read at a proficient level. Within one year at our middle school, my students are performing well above state, city, and minority students' averages on state achievement exams. We are now the top-rated middle school in our city because of our students hard work. All of our 8th grade students are now enrolled in college-preparatory high schools in advanced or honors classes. As 8th grade students, their maturity and focus on academics is inspiring to me, daily.
My Project
Lockers may seem like a small thing for a student, but when our students are asked what they'd like to see added to our school they always respond with "lockers!" Lockers for our 8th grade students will provide a sense of responsibility, a feeling of high school, and distinguishes them from the rest of the school.
From a teacher's perspective, incorporating lockers into student life will help students to learn the time management and recall skills necessary to function in high school. Lockers also provide our school an opportunity to reward responsible behavior. These lockers will benefit students for decades to come.
Our 8th graders excel at their academics earning some of the highest scores in Ohio. This project will give back to the students for all their hard work!
Thank you for your consideration in supporting the needs of our 8th graders.
This project shows our students that their teachers care not only about their academic success, but respect their requests for high school readiness!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Yoder and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.