My students live in a rural setting that offers limited opportunities for cultural exploration due to geographic location and a high poverty level of families living in the area. Many students do not have financial resources but are very appreciative of the resources that our school is able to provide. We are in our third year of a one to one initiative that allows each student to have access to a laptop at a minimal cost. I have a high percentage of students in my classroom who have individual education plans that do best with hands on learning.
I am a Family and Consumer Science teacher at the high school. I teach a mandatory freshman class that introduces students to life skills and career exploration. Students then have access to taking additional electives in my program. My classes focus on human development and career preparation.
I began the school year with 5 expectant mothers in my classes and 2 teenage mothers. This represents 7% of my school's female population. I have noticed that the age of these students continue to get younger and the realization of what they are facing is overwhelming. Many students in our school do not understand the physical demands pregnancy puts on the body at such a young age.
While our students are supportive of these students, I believe that educating all of the students about the effects pregnancy has on the body will build understanding for these young girls. Even greater is my hope that by utilizing an empathy belly in my classroom, I can provide additional education to help students realize the risks involved in being sexually active and the consequences of pregnancy. An empathy belly will allow both male and female students the opportunity to feel the effects of pregnancy on the body without becoming pregnant. It is also my hope that if students understand the labor associated with pregnancy; they might delay the choice to become a parent at a young age.
Due to budget cuts the cost of an empathy belly for my classroom will not be possible this year. I know that with your help I can provide my students with a simulated pregnancy experience that will stress the many health issues associated with teen pregnancy and give both male and female students the opportunity to learn about the physical demands of pregnancy without the labor it ultimately requires. I would like to thank you for your consideration of my request and look forward to working with you in the future.
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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. Henderson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.