I teach in a classroom where we are excited about what we do.
We are expressive, critical thinkers.
We take risks, we learn from our mistakes, and we celebrate our successes.
I teach orchestra to approximately 140 students in grades 6-8. We are learners and musicians. We are excited about what we do, and we use music to explore history, science, literacy, and other arts. My students are racially and socioeconomically diverse. But they all have one thing in common. They are aspiring musicians.
My Project
Over 50 of my 140 students require the use of a school-owned instrument in order to participate in orchestra. In other words, they could not afford an instrument if the school was unable to provide one for them. I have worked hard over the years (with some help from donors at this site) to create an inventory of instruments large enough to support the needs of all interested students.
A big challenge that comes with providing instruments to middle school students is that as the inventory increases, so does the need for finances to maintain that inventory.
Many of my students' cases are in need of replacement. The zippers don't zip, the bow falls out, or the clasps won't close. My students don't complain, but I see that they see the difference between what they are carrying home and what their more financially stable peers are carrying.
I would like to start replacing broken cases for my students. They deserve to have equipment that looks as nice and works as well as any other students. And I know that their instruments will be better protected if their cases work as intended.
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. Josephson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
