My students need basic tools that work: rulers, scissors, markers and colored pencils are what they asked me for, and I want to give them what they asked for.
Do you remember what it was like when you had to share everything with your brother or sister? That is what it is like for my students in Art 2D class. They have to share broken and bent rulers, scissors that don't cut properly, and dried out markers with 35 of their siblings, without fighting.
The majority of my students are from low income homes where their parents are absent a lot because they are out working multiple jobs to support their family.
I even have students working after school jobs to help support their family. Because I have a welcoming, open door policy, my students feel comfortable sharing a little bit about their lives with me and I've come to learn that the majority of their things, be it school clothes or supplies, home entertainment, etc., are usually hand-me-downs. They go with it because they know that's what their parents can afford, and I can see that it makes them a little sad. I can tell when they come in to my art room that they feel the same way when they have to use rulers that don't make a straight line, or scissors that are mostly broken, and I want to give them more.
My Project
When I get the opportunity, I like to get special materials for certain classes. That is difficult to do when I see 6 classes of 35 or more students every day. Our materials get run down or worn out before the school year gets halfway through. Getting new class sets of materials that my students can use, hopefully, throughout the year will give them the thought, "hey, Ms. C really cares that we have good materials to work with," and they feel better that someone wants better things for them, and the students then, in turn, try harder on their projects and assignments. Art is now required for graduation at my school and students don't take art seriously when they have sub-par materials. New and quality materials will, I feel, change their outlook on the subject and on art, in general.
Donations to this project will make a difference in how my students feel about adults caring about them, give them the right tools to do their work properly to make better grades, which will all in turn give the students the confidence to think outside the box, be creative, and inspire the younger generations that walk through my doors every year.
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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. Covert and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.