I feel fortunate to spend my days teaching with motivated and hardworking students. My students are looking towards their future with no ceilings. When they come into my classroom I strive to provide them with an experience on par with schools that have resources. "No ceilings in my classroom!"
If you were you to walk into any of my classes you would be greeted with enthusiastic, kind individuals from many different parts of the world.
It is truly eclectic. It is typical to have 50% of my students fluent in many languages. This diversity is reflected in our school and we have one of the largest ESOL programs in our district.
Many if not most of my students want to attend either a 2 or 4 year college. It is not unusual to hear stories about their parents working day and night so they can have the luxury of attending school and ultimately a better life. It is also not unusual for my students to work 40 hours a week or more while maintaining grades with extremely rigorous classes. These students are inspirational. I can't tell you how many times I have sat with students and discussed the challenges they face; caring for siblings, or sick parents, working long hours after school. They don't complain. They are a constant reminder to me of the triumph of the human spirit.
My Project
The resources I have requested span the entire course for my advanced and regular biology classes. As most people recall the only thing students remember from high school biology is dissecting a frog. I want to make sure that my students have that memory as well as more advanced dissections (fetal pig, sheep brain.) Many of my advanced biology students want to enter the medical field and they take my class to prepare themselves for the demands of that course work in college. I look forward to our fruit fly experiments that will span for a few weeks. This will give them an opportunity to work with live organisms and experience the numerous challenges that come with such an endeavor. In addition to specimens my students need gloves and other consumable items that are necessary but unfortunately not provided by our district. It is unacceptable to me that because my students are mostly poor they do not have access to a hands on laboratory experience in their science classroom.
This is the third year that I have created a project with donors choose.
I have heard from past graduates that they are extremely grateful that they were provided with these experiences in my classroom. Many students have said that they did not feel "out of place" in the college laboratory setting. That confidence can make all the difference and perhaps give that future doctor the drive to realize their dreams.
All of my students feel empowered because of these experiences.
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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 Ms. Barnett and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.