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 am honored to work on a campus where we strive to develop and serve each student academically, emotionally and physically. Ninety percent of our student body is considered academically disadvantaged while 85% receive free and reduced-price lunch. My students do not allow these labels to define who they are and what they can become. They are committed to becoming first-generation college graduates and productive contributors to society. They strive to obtain self-sustained success while building a legacy for their families.
My students work hard to rise above the many challenges they face, with positive attitudes and relentless self-motivation.
My six classes of 120 students, although very diverse, have a common determination to strive to be more and dedicated to excellence. They take advantage of every tool and resource provided to them. They embrace authentic learning experiences which allow them to grow individually and collectively. My students embody what it means to have a class culture that embraces each other's differences.
My Project
The movement involved in flexible seating provides an increase of blood flow to the brain which research has shown improves academic performance and engagement. Students are able to stay calm and focused. Being able to take advantage of flexible seating also allows students to foster their sense of community by sharing and taking turns. They are able to learn and model essential real-world 21st-century skills such as collaboration and communication.
Flexible seating helps students to become more actively engaged, enthusiastic, and relaxed in the classroom.
Where there could be chaos, it allows students to develop higher-order thinking skills such as problem-solving, emotional skills, and conflict resolution.
Learning environments can have a direct impact on student achievement. A University of Minnesota study from 2012 found that students who participated in flexible seating increased their participation in class discussions by almost 50 percent and improved performance on standardized tests. The opportunity to introduce flexible seating to my students is not a task that I take lightly. We will maximize the tools and resources that we are blessed with to explore new learning and exceed our academic goals.
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. Grant and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
