I work in a social and economically diverse urban school (arguably the most diverse in the city). 59% are eligible for free/reduced lunch, 27% are English language learners, and 19% are students with disabilities. Many of our students with various special behavioral, emotional and learning needs struggle due to limited staff (as a result of budget cuts).
The 1,594 students that enter our school are dealing with a myriad of positive and negative challenges.
Through everything, their resiliency stays strong and they face each new challenge head-on. I am honored to be taught what grit and growth mindset, among other things, can do for a person.
My Project
Hello! I am a third-year teacher. That means that I am finally starting to get a grip on mastering the craft of teaching! One very important practice I have carried over into my teaching career is mindfulness practice. As an amateur, I found different apps, blogs, podcasts that have informed my mindfulness journey. I began to notice myself responding to my environment in productive and present ways. This practice allowed me to welcome students into a calm and productive safe space. Throughout the school year, I incorporate the practice into my teaching so that the kids can also access that feeling.
I want to be able to expand my practice and truly facilitate a mindfulness practice that will be educational for my students (also colleagues!).
I teach at one of the most diverse schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District. Our students speak over 30 languages and come from all over the world. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to partner with, to serve, and to learn from a community of people who have seen so much more of the world than I have.
There is also trauma in our community. We have a growing population of refugees and most of our students are living below the poverty line. In a school like mine, which serves a low-income, minority population, teaching wellness sends a message to students that they matter, in a world where a lot of forces are already making them feel like they don't. Wellness tools like mindfulness and yoga empower students to love, take care of, and advocate for themselves. These tools help our students to cope with the trauma that accompanies growing up in poverty as a result of racism and systemic oppression.
More than half 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. Paolocci and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
