I need to have the program partially paid for before the summer session begins. I would like to implement this movement into my high school for the upcoming year (after my certification).
Jamaica Queens (NYC) possesses a very diverse conglomerate of students. This makes most high schools in Queens extremely diverse and multi/faceted. Not only is language extensive, so is the culture, economic background and home make-up of our student body.
In our Title I high school, our students are confronted with many trials and tribulations.
Often, these students are underperforming and require additional time, resources and aid. For the most part we currently hold a student body with a wide range of academic capabilities, some deficient and other extremely advanced. Our school does an excellent job at trying to accommodate the varying wants and needs of our student body.
My Project
I am a teacher who has been frustrated, confounded and ultimately conquered by the NYC public school system. I have debated leaving the field completely and starting fresh. My students are what keeps me going. It breaks my heart to have to up and leave them in our Title I school and risk creating further distrust between the students and the school system/ teachers (I follow my students for two years). I am their advocate in the school (since their voices are not yet seasoned and lack deference).
Our students turn to me for a resonating voice at our school.
If they have an interest, they know I am the best person able to execute their ideas or at least point them in the right direction. I have implemented yearly Metropolitan Opera trips, adventures to Los Angeles and Seattle, improvisation acting trips, founded the Model UN club and more. Of recent, students have been infatuated with the idea of have an outlet for their volatile emotions. They know I kickbox and practice yoga during my free time and have asked me to implement one of these courses after school. They yearn for connection and activity that is not necessarily academic in nature.
I broached this topic with my administrators to no avail. I did not feel comfortable embarking on this idea without professional training and it was not something I could afford on my own. I am confident we can get the ball rolling on this plan once my administration witnesses the effort research and time I have place into this and the positive feedback from the students. I want to follow through on this plan not only for my students and the school, but for me to be able to love what I do once 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. Rodriguez and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
