I teach 8th grade math to special education and general education students. It is important to me to make math fun and not "intimidating" to my students. I want to make sure my students have access to the basic supplies they need to be successful in school.
I teach at a Title I school in Queens, New York where 100 percent of our students receive free breakfast and lunch.
Many students have minimal access to basic school supplies, and when they need replacing are unable to replenish what they need. I want to be able to supply them with these necessities. One of the many things our students have requested are more laptops in the classroom.
Our students have access to computers, social media and smartphones – but they are not being taught how to utilize that technology in a responsible and safe way. When they graduate, these students will have to compete in an emerging global economy fueled by rapid innovation, but many will be unprepared to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). I hope to use the computer to prepare my students for the future. Being able to access a website to learn how to write codes, as they expand their knowledge into the 21st century, will encourage my students to pursue careers in STEM.
In Their Own Words
The goal we are trying to accomplish is to get more technology such as laptops for our classroom. Ms. G was able to get a laptop funded last year, and she was able to get a few older laptops from another teacher, but we don't have nearly enough for everyone! Sometimes we borrow laptops to complete our EverFi program, but it would be nice to have more in our classroom.
Well, Ms. G has had several projects funded, but she wanted to give us, the students a chance to come up with a project that would help the class and to make math more fun. Brainstorming, collaborating, and working together made this a fun experience. Each of us made a contribution to make this project as successful as it can be.
This project is important to us the students and our community, because not having the materials we need in our classroom puts us at a disadvantage. Ms. G would like us to be exposed to the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Many of us may not have considered the possibility of pursuing a career in these fields, but having access to more technology and STEM programs may help push us in that direction.
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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. Gounaris and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
