Our school is nestled in a small rural town. This small dropout prevention alternative school serves students in multiple districts and primarily focus on students who are trauma sensitive. My loving community of teachers serve because of their desire to truly impact students in a big way. Good things are happening!
Now, let me tell you about my students.
I teach 8th/9th grade English and 8th grade science to the most amazing, unique, and challenging students I've ever encountered. The majority of these students come to my school lacking confidence in reading/writing as well as any positive interactions with adults/peers. Many of these students have faced so much trauma that they come to my school believing that they are "stupid" or "hopeless." What they don't realize is that they have come to the right place.
While some community partners provide basic supplies, it doesn't always cover the costs of classroom curriculum and resources. My goal as a teacher is to provide the necessary tools, to help build confidence, to improve their reading/writing abilities, so that my students will be prepared for life before and after graduation.
My Project
My students come from all walks of life and have difficulty opening up to others for fear of being judged. I plan to use the "Bronx Masquerade" by Nikki Grimes to help my students read about individuals who share the same or similar experiences.
Sharing your story allows others to see life from a different perspective.
Sometimes we don't understand why people think a certain way or act a certain way. Sometimes we avoid the difficult conversations because we don't want to be judged. This is something my students struggle with on a daily basis because of the trauma they've experienced in their lives. The resources in my project were carefully selected to help my students become better thinkers as well as better writers. I am looking forward to the journey ahead!
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 Mrs. Gannon and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
