I need professional development training so I can use the Tools of the Mind curriculum in my classroom and bring my PK leaders the empowering play-based learning they deserve!
My PK students are the leaders our world so desperately needs. Four and five year olds at a Title One, traditional public school in northwest Baltimore City, my students work to grow their brains and give their hearts with more grit, love, and brilliance than my words do justice to - in a world and country that is failing them. Deeply humbled and honored to serve them, their families, our school, and the greater community, I aim to elevate their voices and leadership. They know the power of love, laughter, math, science, art, dancing, and so much more; they know they can make the world a better place and won't give up in doing so. When we give our country's littlest learners the space and tools to lead, they are unstoppable.
My Project
The opportunity gap is alive and well before kindergarten, and 80% of a human brain development occurs between the ages of 0-3. Early Childhood Education matters, but it's not just about making it happen – it’s about making it happen right, everywhere. I'm invested in bringing the best early childhood practices to the most disadvantaged schools because all of America's littlest leaders deserve the best.
There are many pieces to the ECE-done-right puzzle, but this project focuses on me growing my teacher-brain around one of the biggest: play based learning.
Between my first and second year of teaching I was lucky enough to intern at a remarkable school in DC that had implemented a curriculum called Tools of the Mind. This curriculum and professional development system ensures that students develop social-emotional, self-regulatory, cognitive, and foundational academic skills through developmentally appropriate practices. From theme-based learning from self-regulatory practices like play-planning, this curriculum helps students develop mental tools and construct knowledge through student-initiated play.
Play is power; rooted is neuroscience and backed by educational theory, I have seen it in action how it empowers kids. I'm determined to bring these best practices to my students in Baltimore, and in order to do so I need to grow my brain! By donating to this project you will support a year of professional development that will guide my implementation of the Tools curriculum and directly impact my students every day!
I'm humbled to commit my life to my students and to our movement for educational equity, and I need your help. Anything you can donate counts. They believe in you, its time to believe in them!
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 Ms. Dewdney and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.