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
Help my students see! I am currently writing on a very small easel at the front of my classroom because the chalkboard was waxed and cannot be written on. As a group, we struggle to get through a class because so much time is dedicated to allowing each student to read the assignments.
I teach middle school math at a public school in New Orleans, Louisiana.
90% of my students are on free or reduced lunch, and many struggle with trauma as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Despite poverty and other hardships, they are the most enthusiastic learners I have ever met. Their energy is incredible in the face of all of these challenges, in addition to the challenges within the school itself.
The building is poorly maintained and we have little to no supplies provided for us by the district, but my students' patience and willingness to get creative with the little that we have is truly an amazing thing. Every day they pile into my little classroom, step over the holes in the floors, and get ready for the assignment or activity I've prepared for them. They are eager to learn despite any complications or difficulties that arise. They are truly inspiring.
My Project
Much of my class time is dedicated to dealing with the fact that I have nothing to write on at the front of my room. The chalkboard was wiped down with floor wax and chalk will not show up on it. In order to display assignments, classwork, and instructions, I have to write on two small dry-erase easels at the front of my room.
The easels are in pretty terrible shape, and several times they have collapsed while either myself or a student was writing on them. Because the easels are low to the ground, many of the students cannot see them from the back of the classroom. I have to factor in time for these students to get out of their seats and crouch at the front of the room to copy things down.
Furthermore, many of my students need glasses and cannot afford them, and with such limited writing space I often have to write in very small text. They too must be given time to leave their seats to copy things down. This is a terrible waste of time! They deserve better.
I have shared with my students that my goal is to get us a good dry-erase board by the end of the year.
You would not believe how excited 13-year-olds can become over a dry-erase board! We are all excited! Help us achieve this goal!
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. N. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.