One phrase can describe all of our students (and teachers): non-traditional.
Our 60 student high school program is a refuge for kids who have found our nation's traditional, factory-like, "one size fits all" education system overwhelming, impersonal, and uninspiring.
Most of our kids come from low-income households, some deal with anxiety or other mental health issues, and all of them have been unsuccessful in a "regular" school simply because they are a square peg in a round hole created by our educational system.
We follow the international Big Picture model developed by Dennis Littky and Elliot Washor that replaces our nation's cookie-cutter teaching methods with student-centered, real-world learning experiences. Once free to pursue their passions while receiving personalized attention in small, family-like advisories, students who were once written off, flourish and accomplish amazing goals they never though possible.
Rather than mindlessly shuffle from room to room by the buzz of a bell, our students work independently on projects at their own pace and spend two days a week interning in a field of their choice. This exposure to a real-world environment allows them to graduate with an impressive resume and much-needed self-confidence.
My Project
If this project is fully funded we will be able to teach several important lessons to students about nutrition, sustainability, and cooking. Right now, our kids have no idea how to cook an inexpensive, healthy meal for their bodies. Some of their parents are uneducated and do not know this information either.
Showing students how to grow their own food will have an incredible impact on their social, emotional, and STEM skills.
They will understand what REAL food is and will feel a real sense of purpose for keeping the plants alive and well.
Our hope is to cook meals that students can bring home in disposable pans to feel their families, too. Then, they can pass on their knowledge so their siblings and parents can understand the nutritional and social benefits of sitting down to a nutritious, healthy meal as a family.
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. Monaco and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
