Just over 120 years ago, Diné (Navajo) Chief Manuelito famously told his people, "My grandchild, education is the ladder. Tell our people to take it." Today, these words still ring true as hundreds of Diné students frequently sing the words, "Go, my son, go and climb the ladder. Go, my son, go and earn your feather. Go, my son, make your people proud of you..."
My students take pride in both their music and making their people proud.
Over 70% of the students I teach are Native American students, mostly Navajo, or Diné as they call themselves. The people in our community are proud of who they are and what they stand for; they are always excited to be heard. With your help, we can give these young boys and girls voices that will sing out across our community and beyond.
My Project
Our music room is blessed to have an array of instruments for students to play as they sing and dance. However, we short a handful of ukuleles for a class set. Music has long been viewed as a community builder, allowing all individuals to contribute to a larger masterpiece.
However, without ukes for each child's hands, the sense of community suffers as only part of the class can rehearse or perform at a given time.
The largest music class taught at our school has 28 students. Right now, we have 20 operational ukuleles. Just eight more instruments would allow the largest classes to learn together as one team.
Just eight more ukuleles will allow students to make music along with each and every one of their peers, which will, in turn, allow them to sing and dance, create and inspire, and have one united voice that the world will not ignore.
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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 Mr. Brink and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.