My students are in an alternative school setting. They are all very bright and special in their own individual ways, but have suffered traumatic events, or come from impoverished, broken homes, which blocks their learning in a large, crowded and often distracting classroom. The majority of my students have been placed with me due to behavioral and emotional challenges in a regular school setting.
These kids are survivors whom have yet to realize their potential to be great in this world.
Once we can establish a relationship of respect and trust for each other, they are the brightest and most capable students in our district. These are kids who often fall into cracks or get removed because mainstream settings do not have the resources, abilities or time and patience to see through the behaviors and reach their potential. These kids have flourished in the alternative setting and the expectation is not only to graduate, but to move on to college, the military or vocational training.
My Project
During my first year working with my students, I quickly realized just how sheltered their knowledge of the world actually was. Being from a small, impoverished town, these students face a dramatic isolated view of the world around them. This is due to unstable home environments, homelessness, drug and alcohol addictions or a combination of many different at-risk circumstances.
Learning how to cook is one of the most important skills a person can have.
Not only for learning the health benefits regarding cooking, students are also learning math, history, geography, an assortment of different sciences and even art. Through the process of teaching a cooking class, I have been able to open my students' exposure to different cultures around the world and food related customs they never knew existed. I have been able to get them excited to learn history and even math! Food is one of the biggest aspects of a culture. For the Chinese, for example, their food represents strong ties among the community. They also always dine together and eat from the same communal dish. For the Italians, food conveys warmth, love, pleasure, nutrition and history. This means that Italians hold their food in great esteem and they often talk about food.
My students can benefit from cooking supplies such as a canning system, a wok, and bakeware to help expand their knowledge of culture around the world, as well as gain personal skills to improve their quality of living. These items will also prove beneficial in helping us execute more ways we can give back to our community through the art of cooking.
Gotham Steel 20 Piece All in One Kitchen Cookware + Bakeware Set with Non-Stick Ti-Cerama Copper Coating – Includes Skillets, Stock Pots, Deep Square Pan with Fry Basket, Cookie Sheet and Baking Pans
• Amazon Business
$199.99
1
$199.99
KitchenAid KSM75WH Classic Plus Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, White
• Amazon Business
$189.99
1
$189.99
Rachael Ray Cucina Nonstick Bakeware 10-Piece Set, Latte Brown with Cranberry Red Handle Grips
• Amazon Business
$76.99
2
$153.98
GoWISE USA 10-QT 12-in-1 Electric High-Pressure Cooker, Canner with Measuring Cup, Stainless Steel Rack and 2 Steam Baskets, and Spoon (Stainless Steel)
• Amazon Business
$119.86
1
$119.86
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor, Easy Clean Interior, ECO Mode and Sound On/Off, 1.2 Cu.ft, 1100W, Black Stainless Steel
• Amazon Business
$118.79
1
$118.79
AmazonBasics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Wok -(S015)
• Amazon Business
$39.99
2
$79.98
Pyrex Easy Grab Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set (28-Piece, BPA-free)
• Amazon Business
$49.99
1
$49.99
BLACK+DECKER 6-Speed Hand Mixer with 5 Attachments & Storage Case, MX3200B
• Amazon Business
$21.26
2
$42.52
BLACK+DECKER Countertop Blender with 6-Cup Glass Jar, 10-Speed Settings, Red, BL1210RG
• Amazon Business
$34.99
1
$34.99
AmazonBasics 12-Piece Colored Knife Set
• Amazon Business
$15.30
2
$30.60
Kitchen Utensil Set - 11 Cooking Utensils - Colorful Silicone Kitchen Utensils - Nonstick Cookware with Spatula Set - Colored Best Kitchen Tools Kitchen Gadgets
• Amazon Business
$21.96
1
$21.96
GORILLA GRIP Original Reversible Cutting Board (3-Piece), BPA Free, Juice Grooves, Larger Thicker Boards, Easy Grip Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Non-Porous, Extra Large, Kitchen (Set of Three: Black)
• Amazon Business
$17.29
1
$17.29
Vremi 13 Piece Mixing Bowl Set With Handle - With Nesting Colorful Measuring Cups Spoons Colander Mesh Strainer - BPA Free Plastic Stackable Nested Mixing Bowls Large Small Pour Spout Baking Cooking
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
Materials cost
$1,075.93
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$53.80
3rd party payment processing fee
$16.14
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$1,175.87
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$207.51
Total project goal
$1,383.38
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,383.38
5 Donors
-$729.19
Donations toward project cost
-$619.81
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$109.38
match offer
-$654.19
Match offer toward project cost
-$556.06
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Varney and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
