I teach third grade in a highly-diverse Title I school. My students come from all around the world. Some of the countries represented in my classroom include; Ghana, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Afghanistan, El Salvador, Honduras, Thailand, Laos, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Panama. Half of the students in my class are English Language Learners.
The students have become more like a family.
We spend a lot of time building a caring and inclusive classroom community which includes celebrating what makes each student unique. Despite the obstacles each student faces, they come in every day ready to learn and willing to work hard.
My Project
While my students are proud of their heritage, some of my female students struggle with self-esteem issues related to their appearance. My goal is that my students would become just as confident in their appearance as they are in their academics and that a low self-perception would not hold them back from becoming school leaders.
The message in the book, "I Am Enough" is that you can love who you are, respect others, and be kind.
In the club, students will read the book, be led in weekly discussions, and use the book to journal their thoughts and feelings about themselves. The goal is that after the club ends, students will have a greater sense of self-confidence and self-love.
After the third time this year that one of my girls refused to remove her hood all day due to embarrassment over her hair style or type, I knew I needed to be proactive about helping my students see themselves as I do. It breaks my heart to see my students in tears over traits they should be proud of. I've witnessed bright young women refuse to participate in lessons, hoping that if they don't contribute, they won't be noticed.
Please help me to be intentional about teaching my students that they are enough!
More than three‑quarters 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
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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 Mrs. WIGGINS and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
