I teach ninth grade English as well as one SAT Preparatory class for twelfth graders in Philadelphia, PA. This is my first year of teacher, and despite its many challenges, I am blown away my the potential of my students.
Daring, bold, unstoppable - these are my students.
Despite any personal circumstances, my students come to class each day ready to learn and ready to grow. As a wise teacher-mentor once told me, "the kids who need love the most will show it in the most difficult ways."
While classroom management continues to be an uphill battle with my ninth graders, my class of seniors gives me hope that these students can reach limitless success with the support of a caring, consistent adult.
My Project
By providing my students will a classroom set of the Young Adult novel, The Hate You Give, you will help hook my students on good reading. Too often inner city students are forced to read the canons or young adult literature written for a white, middle-class audience. Unfortunately, these choices can turn students off to reading altogether. Not that my students can't comprehend and learn from age-old texts, but the harm of shutting them off to reading can often outweigh the good.
The Hate You Give is a "tragically timely" piece which will be unavoidably relevant to my students.
Focusing on the story of a girl caught between worlds, Starr finds herself the only witness in a nationally highlighted injustice: her black, male friend is shot by a cop. Starr's journey reflects a relatable coming of age journey for modern teenagers raised in a black, urban environment. The book touches on timeless themes and uses truly impressive literary techniques to hook the reader.
Help me provide relatable, powerful literature for my students to fall in love with reading. Help me create a generation of life-long readers.
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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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. Gourley and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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