Dr. Acker's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 37

• Focus on the Future: A New Lens for Yearbook Creativity

  Funded Jun 25, 2025

  Thanks to the generous donation of a new camera lens, our Yearbook Club has taken photography to an entirely new level! This lens has allowed our students to explore advanced photo techniques such as adjusting depth of field, capturing action shots, and experimenting with portrait composition. Before, many of our photos were limited by distance or lighting, but now students can clearly capture everything from the excitement of a basketball game to the smiles at a school assembly. The lens has opened up creative possibilities that inspire students to see the world through a sharper, more artistic lens literally!

  Using the new lens, students are learning hands-on skills in technology and digital media that go far beyond the yearbook. They're gaining real experience in using professional photography equipment learning how to adjust aperture, focus, and lighting to tell a story through each image. These skills connect directly to technology literacy, design thinking, and visual storytelling essential 21st-century skills they can use in future media, art, or communications fields. It's exciting to see students collaborate, critique photos, and make creative choices that reflect their growing confidence and technical expertise.

  Most of all, this new camera lens has sparked excitement and pride in our Yearbook Club. Students rush to volunteer as photographers, eager to try out the lens and capture the "perfect shot." They take ownership of their work, knowing that their photos will be featured in a book that represents our entire school community. The energy, creativity, and teamwork it has inspired are priceless. Our heartfelt thanks go to the donors who made this possible you've helped empower young photographers to see their world in focus and share it beautifully.”

  With gratitude,

  Dr. Acker

• Calm Minds, Strong Spanish: Yoga Mats for Listening & Well-Being!

  Funded May 6, 2025

  Thanks to the generous support of our donors, including Ripple, our Spanish classroom has been transformed into a more mindful, focused, and engaging learning environment. The addition of yoga mats has given my students a comfortable, flexible space where they can participate in brain breaks, mindfulness activities, and movement-based learning. These moments of calm and physical reset have helped my middle school students refocus their energy, manage stress, and return to their Spanish lessons with renewed attention and positivity.

  With the yoga mats, we've been able to incorporate activities like "Stretch and Say," where students practice Spanish vocabulary while doing light movement or yoga poses related to the words they are learning such as la cabeza (head), los brazos (arms), and los pies (feet). These kinesthetic connections have made vocabulary learning more meaningful and memorable. Students have also enjoyed using the mats during small group discussions, reflection time, and mindfulness circles conducted entirely in Spanish, helping them develop both language and emotional skills.

  Ripple's kindness and support have truly made a difference in how my students experience learning Spanish. The yoga mats have not only added comfort and calm to our classroom but have also strengthened community, focus, and engagement. My students and I are so grateful for this thoughtful donation it has helped us build a classroom environment that nurtures both the mind and the heart.”

  With gratitude,

  Dr. Acker

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and 3 other donors.

• Snap Into Action: Help Our Yearbook Club Shine Bright!"

  Funded May 6, 2025

  On behalf of our Yearbook Club, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of a new digital camera. Your support has made a real difference, not just in the quality of our yearbook, but in the confidence and creativity of our student photographers.

  Before we had this camera, we relied heavily on older equipment or borrowed phones, which often limited what we could capture. Now, thanks to your contribution, our students are able to take crisp, vibrant, high-quality photos that truly reflect the energy and spirit of our school.

  The most exciting part for our students? Feeling like real photographers. The camera's advanced features like zoom, autofocus, and quick image review have opened up new possibilities for capturing moments that matter. Whether it's a candid shot at a school dance, a team huddle during a game, or a quiet moment in the art room, our students are learning how to frame, focus, and tell stories visually. They're not just documenting memories they're shaping them.

  This year, our yearbook is already showing the impact of your gift. The photos are sharper, more dynamic, and more student-driven than ever before. It's not just a book it's a reflection of their hard work, their eye for detail, and their pride in our school community.

  Thank you for believing in our students and giving them the tools to succeed, explore, and express themselves.”

  With gratitude,

  Dr. Acker

  This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and one other donor.

• Say It, Show It, Write It: Whiteboards for Spanish Success!

  Funded Sep 25, 2025

  Thank you so much for your generous support of my classroom. As a veteran Spanish teacher, I know firsthand how important it is for students to practice actively in order to build confidence and fluency. These handheld whiteboards will allow every student to engage at the same time—whether we are practicing vocabulary, writing complete sentences, or responding to cultural questions. Instead of waiting to be called on, students can all show their work instantly, giving them immediate feedback and creating a more interactive learning environment.

  Your kindness helps my students take ownership of their learning and makes Spanish come alive in a fun, collaborative way. I am truly grateful for your investment in their growth.”

  With gratitude,

  Dr. Acker

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation and one other donor.

• Power Up Our Storytelling: Tools for Yearbook Success

  Funded Jun 9, 2025

  Thank you so much for your generous donation toward our yearbook tech supplies! Your support provides our Yearbook Club with the tools we need to design, edit, and publish a high-quality yearbook that captures the spirit of our school community. These resources will allow students to gain hands-on experience with photography, layout design, and digital storytelling. Your kindness empowers our student creators to take pride in their work and build lasting memories for their classmates.”

  With gratitude,

  Dr. Acker

• Bringing Spanish To Life With Colorful Learning!

  Funded May 21, 2025

  Thank you so much for your generous support! Your donation for color printing is already making a meaningful impact in our middle school Spanish classroom. With access to vibrant, engaging materials—like visual vocabulary cards, cultural posters, and interactive activities—students are more motivated to learn and retain new language concepts. Colorful resources help bring Spanish to life, support diverse learning styles, and make each lesson more memorable. Your kindness is helping our students achieve greater success and develop a lasting love for language learning.”

  With gratitude,

  Dr. Acker

• Fueling Minds: Nutritious Snacks for Growing Learners!

  Funded May 7, 2025

  Thank you so much for your generous donation of snacks for my middle school Spanish classroom! Your support means the world to my students and me. The snacks help keep them energized and focused during our lessons, especially on long days. It’s amazing to see how something so simple can make such a big difference in their learning and morale. We truly appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness. ¡Mil gracias por apoyar nuestra clase!”

  With gratitude,

  Dr. Acker

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and one other donor.

• Give My Spanish Students Authentic, Engaging Opportunities to Learn!

  Funded May 5, 2025

  Thank you so much for your generous donation! Your support helps me bring authentic Spanish-language resources into our middle school classroom, making learning more engaging and culturally rich for my students. With your help, I can provide meaningful experiences that inspire curiosity and connection. ¡Muchísimas gracias por apoyar nuestro aprendizaje!”

  With gratitude,

  Dr. Acker

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and one other donor.