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
"We must become bigger than we have been: more courageous, great in spirit, larger in outlook. We must become members of a new race, overcoming petty prejudice, owing our ultimate allegiance not to nations but to our fellow men within the human community." -Haile Selassie
My students are 10th and 11th graders in Baltimore City.
They are attending a smaller school of about 400 students, and about 85% of my students receive free/reduced lunches. There is a shocking history of a lack of opportunity at my school that is shown in our data. In almost every subject area, 10% (at most) of my students are passing state standardized exams.. The average GPA at our school is a D average, and very few students enroll in college. My school building, which was built during the Cold War, is lacking in many resources, including air conditioning and potable water, which greatly affects my students' ability to succeed and achieve. But, despite all of this, my students come to school hoping to make the most of what they can. The strive to be respectful and honorable. Some of them take care of their younger siblings after school. Others have jobs to help support their families. They are more than just students; they are community members--essential community members.
My Project
In order to provide my students with necessary and supplemental resources, I need a printer with copying abilities. Most of my students are four years behind grade-level in their reading skills, and in order to get them back on track, I need to be able to provide them with extra reading that can help them gain more reading skills. My students have never learned to love reading. They haven't been able to see how it can benefit them, both academically and in their everyday lives as people. Furthermore, my students have been invisible for all of their lives. Nobody has ever really taken the time to listen their stories, which is something that I hope to change this year. If I can scan in their writing, I can put together a book of their work or a website and share their words with the world. These students have the potential to be brilliant and make the world a better place, but other people need to help them get there.
My project will make a difference in these kids lives as I can provide them with the work they need for class and outside of class.
Printed readings can help them learn to interact with and love reading. Scanning capabilities will allow my students to finally gain the recognition that they deserve, especially since they do so much for all of those around them.
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 Ms. Roberson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.