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
I teach band and general music, grades six through eight. Band students are selected for the class, while general music students are a sample of the student population, including special needs students. I teach my classes on alternating days, with band being yearlong and general music changing every quarter. The majority of my students come from low income backgrounds.
While at home, many of them do not get the parenting and nurturing they need and are left to raise themselves.
At school, they lack the social skills that many children should have such as being kind to others, working together and talking in an inside voice. Most of my children are behind academically and many more are behind socially.
Deep down my students are sweet and kind, but have no knowledge of how to interact with others. They have a sense of humor like no other and their hugs and love (when they give them) are magical. I want to be able to give these kids the music education they deserve and teach them not only musically and academically, but socially.
My Project
I teach in a unique situation. Nearly all of my students come from low income homes. This means that most of my students' families cannot afford to rent an instrument. Add the ongoing expense of purchasing reeds for Clarinets and Saxophones and you create a recipe for students' disappointment.
Having access to reeds will allow my woodwind students to succeed!
While I try to keep a continuous supply of reeds on hand, my school funds are very limited and I end up using my personal money; a sad reality for most educators. Having access to all of the materials that my students need will allow them to continue to create and cultivate their love of music.
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 Mr. Wallace and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
