I have the privilege of working with a motivated cohort of students that want to succeed. However, most of them face many challenges and are dealing with multiple levels of trauma. Their symptoms of PTSD interfere with their ability to learn and reach their potential.
Compounding their issues with PTSD, many of my students come from low-income households that are not equipped to provide them with a space where they can focus on their academics.
Together, we can create an environment for these students to heal so that they can achieve their full potential!
My Project
Students want to learn and be successful. However, there are many students students that face barriers in their environments, which impact their self-esteem/confidence and motivation to learn. Many of my students suffer from PTSD, resulting from a plethora of precarious and unfortunate circumstances. As a result of this issue, their prefrontal cortex is not as engaged as are other parts of their brain, inhibiting their ability to focus/concentrate on their academics. In addition, most of my students come from families with low socioeconomic statuses that do not have a peaceful location where they can work on their academics. Giving these students the opportunity to have a corrective experience by giving them a safe space where they can feel comfortable and relaxed can allow them to actualize their own potential, become successful, and become productive citizens in our wonderful country.
A major factor that can increase student success is having a safe holding environment where they can study, read, and work on homework and projects.
Allowing students to have a study lounge can give these students suffering from PTSD the opportunity they need to begin to enjoy the learning experience and become invested in their education.
I have gained a great deal of insight in my teaching practice over the last several years during my graduate school experience at New York University for social work. As a mathematics teacher, I plan to integrate my social work skills to empower students and motivate them to learn. If this study lounge comes to fruition, I will supervise the students that utilize it during the day and during the after-school program. Finally, this peaceful study lounge will also provide my students with the space they need to heal, giving them the hope they need to inspire them to succeed.
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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 Mr. Caruso and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
