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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Cotman-El from San Antonio, TX is requesting technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Cotman-El is requesting
Fully Funded

Mr. Cotman-El's classroom raised $892

Eagle News

My students need a camera in order to manifest the vision of having a school wide news program.

Classroom photo
Mr. Cotman-El Live the Life Leadership Academy
San Antonio, TX Grades 3-5

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

Picture this: two students ages 5 and 12 seated at a desk wearing an old blazer found at the Goodwill store. Another 8 yr old waiting to tell the weather. Behind them a homemade green screen. In front of them poster board teleprompters, DIY lighting, and no camera to film what's about to take place.

Our students range from two parent homes, wealthy backgrounds, and promising futures.

To state adopted, foster families living in the most turbulent conditions. As a charter school we often get the students that other districts have given up on. We, however believe in every one of our Eagles. Our campus has adopted the Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People as a philosophy of both instruction and application. That being the case we have modeled for our students that nothing will prevent us from reaching the goals we have set for ourselves. So with basically no budget we have used creative means to inspire, educate, mentor, and reach our little leaders.

My Project

I believe fully in using what you have around you to create what you need. The MacGyver mentality is crucial when you don't have much. I can create the green screen, I can make the backdrop stands. I can go to Wal-Mart and buy work lights and light bulbs and be wise in where I place them. I cannot however create a video camera. The plan is to broadcast a news program run by the students where they will report both school news and national/international news, learning public speaking, multimedia, and current events all at the same time. Each week students will have a chance to co-host the program with me, and learn a thing or two about editing. I'm prepared to use my cell phone camera to do this project, but I want it to be of quality so the students can feel a sense of pride as their faces are being played in the lunch room for breakfast and lunch. The camera would also be used for making a documentary about our school, infomercials for each grade level, and music videos.

I know the world is not what it once was, and that is a tragic thing in many ways, but not without a silver lining.

The rise of technology has provided many students with great opportunities, but what good is the ability to broadcast yourself around the world if you cannot speak with eloquence and passion? I long to see students learn skills that will take them beyond the border of the report card into the realm of success. Thank you for your time, and I appreciate the thought you put into helping us.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than half of students from low‑income households

100 students impacted 3 donors
Mr. Cotman-El Live the Life Leadership Academy Grades 3-5

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

San Antonio, TX View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

100 students impacted 3donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Canon VIXIA HF M41 - camcorder - flash card • Best Buy $699.99 1 $699.99

Materials cost

$699.99

Vendor shipping charges

 $12.00

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$10.50

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$757.49

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$133.67

Total project goal

$891.16

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $891.16

2 Donors

-$891.16

Donations toward project cost

-$757.49

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$133.67

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

Project Activity
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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. Cotman-El and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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