This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
I teach at a low-income school in Mississippi. Students come to me with a variety of needs, both academic and social-emotional. They are always eager to learn. All of our students receive free lunch. My school is currently a C-rated school, but we are striving to become a B-rated school.
They are the shining stars who brave through some pretty tough home lives in order to excel in a safe, fun, engaging learning environment.
My hope is to provide my students with a colorful, warm classroom that is not only inviting but purposeful.
My Project
All of my students have a desire to learn to read. Copy paper and ink is needed daily in my classroom. Although technology has taken over our classrooms, kids need paper in front of them. too. Most districts have adopted technology but are failing our children by not purchasing books. Yes, books are updated often and can become a big financial issue. But, young children need to be able to see and touch what they are learning. All of the books are online, so I am forced to make copies daily so the kids can actually show what they know on paper.
I also have to print out information for the parents.
Some parents are not familiar with common core or the new teaching styles, so they too, need print (examples). Most first grade students do not write legibly enough to take notes. Schools give teachers a set amount of copies (per month), and this year I was expected to buy copy paper. Teachers are expected to print student work, assessments, center activities, homework packets (weekly), holiday review packets (every holiday), lesson plans, etc., but are not given enough copies or papers to do so. I am so passionate about making sure my students have everything they need to succeed that I even borrow copies from my co-workers.
I have a printer in my class, but without ink I'm unable to provide my students with materials they need. First graders need to see their work on a paper and not just a screen. Some students do not have access to iPads or the internet outside of school, so they do not take assignments on the iPad as serious as assignments on paper. Let’s not fail our children by replacing all print with screens.
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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. J. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
