This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire," William Butler Yeats
I believe that inspiration and imagination are the key to unlocking life long learning. I design my curriculum and assignments to support my students' passion as well as their skills.
My school is an urban school with a strong International Baccalaureate program.
Most of the students we serve qualify for free or reduced lunch, but they achieve on an advanced level. Our school has a strong emphasis on multiculturalism and valuing all voices and contributions. Our students study many languages, as well as the humanities and sciences. The school has a long standing culture of pride and tradition, but a lack of resources provided by the school district. We also live and learn in a centuries-old building that is unbearable with any change in temperature. Our students are strong and proud, and many travel to us from the worst neighborhoods in a dangerous city. School is their safe haven and their respite, despite often poor conditions.
My Project
My school has no air conditioning, and, quite simply, my students need to be comfortable. We need room air conditioners to cool our room and make it livable. On some days, temperatures in my room have risen to the triple digits. I must keep windows open over a noisy courtyard where other students are eating lunch. The heat and the noise cause conditions that are difficult for students to stay focused, and this creates an environment that is less than optimal for them to learn. Many students fall asleep or become distracted, and it makes my classroom a generally unpleasant place to be at times. I want my classroom to be a place students look forward to going for reasons additional to the learning that takes place there.
I can think of no other change that will impact my students' classroom lives in a greater way.
If they were physically comfortable in my room, I think the achievement and culture of the class would improve. My students could focus and sustain learning, in addition to being able to hear their classmates and myself more clearly.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Luster and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.