My students are a wide mix of black and brown youth from all across Philadelphia. As high school freshman in a CTE school, they have jumped into the school year with both feet, balancing school work with long commutes, after school activities and preparing themselves to choose which career track they will be entering the following year.
All 150 of my students have chosen my high school because they want good things for themselves and they are willing to work for it.
At our high school, students are expected to graduate from a career-focus track with 32.5 credits; well above the required 23.5 standard in Philly. It hasn't taken long for me to see their drive and energy, which I can only strive to match.
My Project
Thanks to Donors Choose, my 150 freshman students will start their first novel study with "The Hate U Give"! I am excited to bring this work to students who will be able to relate, challenge and reflect deeply, some reading a full novel for the first time. Now there is the opportunity to bring 55 of my students to see the star-filled movie of "The Hate U Give", starring Amandla Stenberg, Issa Rae, Russell Hornsby, Regina Hall, and Common.
Being able to see such a talented cast beautifully portray this important story will do so much to legitimize and raise up the stories of my students.
I hope for this to be only the first of many such trips, bringing important works that my students can use for their own reflection to the classroom.
Nearly all 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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