My students need to be able to focus in class and climate is a key factor especially with children who suffer from attention challenges - the environment is key to learning.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Ennis's classroom raised $642
This project is fully funded
My Students
I work in an social and economically diverse urban school. Fifty-seven percent are on free or reduced price lunch (this is not including a number of students who probably qualify, but are unable to or do not know how to apply). This number continues to increase over the years.
Our school is ethnically diverse, especially for the area, as the majority of our students are African American, Hispanic, or two or more races.
I currently teach five classes: three of World History 10 and two of Wisconsin Studies 11/12.
I have a number of students with special behavioral, emotional and learning needs. We have limited technology and since this is history class, do a lot of reading and writing. Not all students are able to access all of the information in the same manner.
My Project
Many of my students suffer from attention challenges in addition to impoverished conditions which result in lack of sleep and energy even on an ideal day. I am a firm believer in the environment being a key to student success and have made many efforts in the way of art and organization in order to make my room a comfortable place for student learning (out of my pocket).
I teach in a building that was built in 1922.
I do not have screens in my windows and we frequently have a bee problem (so I cannot always open the windows). One of 2 radiators work, so the winters can be chilly, but luckily it is on the south west side of the building on the 2nd floor and has huge windows. It is nice for winter, but awful for the warmer months. I grew up with no a/c in school and still look at it as a luxury. I have "the room" where students go when they need a safe space or to hang out. Lunch, before school, and through out the day there are a minimum of 3 kids in my room. Considering that many of my students do not have stable homes or strong adult influences, I pride myself on providing this respite for them. If they are with me, they are not doing drugs or wandering the neighborhood.
I have received permission from my principal to have a stand alone air conditioning unit in my room, but would have to purchase it myself. I cannot afford it, but cannot afford to have a couple of months of disengaged students. I can control the temperature of my room which I know can improve student learning. Natural light, temperature, layout, etc. all contribute to learning.
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 Mrs. Ennis and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
