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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Oberlander from San Diego, CA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Oberlander is requesting

I Am a Genius!

My students need 35 copies of Victor Villaseñor's inspiring memoir, "Burro Genius: A Memoir."

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Oberlander's classroom raised $513

This project is fully funded

My Students

"English Only!" was the terrifying trope Victor Villaseñor heard when entering kindergarten in California circa 1950. My students-bilingual, creative and powerful-need to know and understand Villaseñor's new mantra: I AM a genius. Bilingualism is an asset that prepares them for the 21st century.

Ninety percent of my students are English learners and their first language is Spanish.

At our school-an urban, high poverty junior high in Southern California-the students are told every day that being bilingual is an "asset" not a "hindrance." Yet they still have to compete on standardized tests that are geared for native English speakers. Most of all, they need to become fluent readers and critical thinkers to truly prepare themselves for the 21st century. A successful way to get them reading is to offer them a great novel, that is funny, truthful, linguistically rich and culturally relevant. No one can pick up Burro Genius and say "reading is boring."!

My Project

In "Burro Genius", author Victor Villaseñor documents the racism and discrimination he experienced in California's public school system circa 1950. Moreover, Villaseñor is also dyslexic and soon after WW II there were very few systems to accommodate such students. Throughout the novel, Villaseñor illustrates with humor, graphic descriptions and rich language how he navigated the obstacles of institutional racism. Most importantly, "Burro Genius" provides an inspiring road map for students to become powerfully positive optimists for whom no doors go unopened. But they need to go on their own odyssey: hard work, self-discovery and lots of reading that interests them. "Read, read, read!" a French 'philosopher' once told me while pursuing my education. So that's what these kids need -- to read books that inspire them.

Every teacher believes her students are the most important students in the world.

I'm no different. The truth is that these students genuinely need more resources, encouragement and pedagogical acuity than most students I'm aware of. The importance of this request, I hope, is clear and compelling.

Ms. Oberlander King-Chavez Preparatory Academy Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

San Diego, CA View local requests

Nearly all 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

120 students impacted 9donors

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Burro Genius: A Memoir • AKJ Books $10.35 35 $362.25

Materials cost

$362.25

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $33.15

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.43

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$435.83

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$76.91

Total project goal

$512.74

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $512.74

7 Donors

-$256.36

Donations toward project cost

-$217.91

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$38.45

match offer

-$256.38

Match offer toward project cost

-$217.92

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$38.46

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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. Oberlander and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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