My students come into my classroom each morning with bright smiles on their faces because they are excited to be at school. When they are with me, they are safe and have meaning.
I teach at a Title 1 school where more than 90% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
They come to school excited because, for some, I am the only smiling face they will see, the only person to tell them "I love you," and our lunch is the only meal they will get.
My Project
Unlike what most people think, teaching is an expensive profession. As teachers, we do our best to provide our students with the best of everything, even when that means coming out of our own pockets to purchase what we need.
I am given one box of paper per semester that I try to make last as long as I possibly can.
My class goes through at least one ream of paper a week. One box of paper typically has 6 reams, so this lasts me about 6 weeks. Since we do not have the funding for paper, I try to project as much as I can on my board with my projector. Even though it is projected, the kids have trouble copying it or keeping up with reading since they do not have their own personal copy. When they do have their own copy, they can not write on it because it has to be shared between students or reused at another time. They are much more successful when they have their own paper so that they can read comfortably and make personal notations to show text evidence or reading reminders.
I need copy paper so that I can print worksheets, assessments, reading passages, and center work. My kids love to be able to write on their papers and can take things home for their parents to see what they are doing/learning in school.
As a parent, it makes me so happy to see my daughter's face light up when she brings home papers from school for me to see. Likewise, I want my students' parents to be able to have that same feeling when they see their child's work instead of just hearing about what they are doing.
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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. LaCoste and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.