{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Jefferson Leadership Academy","outOfStateSupporters":17.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5656217,"projectId":9059834,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping to create a calm space for my students during testing season. They are able to come to my class, enjoy a snack, and work on their embroidery projects. My students expressed feeling relaxed and relieved when they come to our class. One student said, \"I love this class. Right when I walk in the door, I can feel my body relax.\" That is exactly what I was hoping for and you helped to make that possible. \r\n\r\nMy students were so excited to start their embroidery projects. Most of them had never tried embroidery, so it was a new and fun experience. Some students also took their embroidery projects home and were able to connect with family members who love to embroider. \r\n\r\nIn addition, my students are learning to slow down, pay attention to detail, and be patient with themselves through the embroidery project. It takes time to create something beautiful and they are gaining that experience. I am looking forward to seeing the finished projects. Thank you, again, for your generosity, and a special shout out to Ripple for doubling our donations.","fullyFundedDate":1746509866224,"projectUrl":"project/spread-your-wings-and-relax/9059834/","projectTitle":"Spread Your Wings and Relax!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Liza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5656217_orig.jpg?crop=766,766,x675,y423&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599835422061","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mslizagesuden"},{"teacherId":9801319,"projectId":8872618,"letterContent":"Song For A Whale is our first opportunity to do a novel study with our unit. The topic is animal allies and is a big hit with the students. Though we are only two chapters into the novel, the students have a piqued interest in the intersection of the relationship between humans and animals, science and technology, disability culture, and educational advocacy efforts. Students have been eager to talk about what we have read and learned -- from opinions about how Iris, the whale became deaf (secret military underwater bomb explosions to cargo ship accidents) and why Iris, the whale beached herself and died (oil spill illness to lost from her pod); from learning the barriers to language and the interpretation of language through the communication style of Iris, the narrator who is deaf; and thoughts about the plot. We have discussed foreshadowing, symbolism, and character traits to make reasoned predictions about what is next. \r\n\r\nThe second chapter had us watch a video about the three different schooling options for people who are deaf. Students learned that the options are Schools for the Deaf, where American Sign Language (ASL) is used exclusively to teach and learn. Mainstreaming schools, where students who are deaf have an interpreter to assist them alongside their hearing peers. And last, Oral Programing where the person who is deaf is expected to read lips. The students learned not only about the options, but also how to use ASL to sign the type of schooling. Unanimously, the students knew that Iris, the narrator was mainstreamed in a general education class at her middle school because she was the only deaf student and had an interpreter. At this point, they began to understand Iris's frustration about being misunderstood. They were able to infer many character traits about Iris, the narrator. This understanding is shown in a One Pager activity in which students were given the ASL alphabet and had to think of a word or phrase that captured the big idea of the second chapter (see photos). Students were able to connect many complex issues regarding inclusive education for people with disabilities compared to segregated education especially concerning people who are deaf. When my co-teacher, an education specialist, was facilitating the assignment with me, she commented that she was thrilled that the students were so engaged in trying ASL and also empathetic to the importance of Deaf culture. \r\n\r\nThis chapter leads to upcoming investigations of sound waves and whale songs. One symbol in chapter two is a radio. Iris, the narrator was distracting herself in class by reading a magazine about old radios. Students made inferences about Iris's interest in radios because she cannot hear. Moving forward with the novel we will have thoughtful discussions about the science of sound waves, the technology of cochlear implants, whale songs, and music for the deaf.\r\n\r\nThis experience with the novel across content areas is growing us as students. Our graduate portrait suggests that our students become resilient, mindful, and thriving self-advocates, ethical problem solvers, and equity and inclusion leaders. The novel suggests we \"make waves about something.\" This pun or play on words characterizes Iris, the narrator, and the graduate portrait traits. I am excited to study the novel in its entirety to realize the resolutions of my students. Like every hero who undertakes a call to adventure, they will have learned from their experience and changed. \r\n\r\nWe appreciate all you have done to make this novel study come to life.","fullyFundedDate":1729052332647,"projectUrl":"project/animal-allies/8872618/","projectTitle":"Animal Allies","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. McCabe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9801319"},{"teacherId":5656217,"projectId":8748846,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation. My students were so happy to have snacks that they could enjoy on our Wellness Wednesdays. We've been learning about self-care, community care, and the different ways to be well. The snacks have definitely provided physical nourishment. \r\n\r\nIt seems like the snacks are a small thing, but for many students, it represents care because the snacks are something tangible. They often arrive to class hungry, so being able to meet that need means so much. For students who do not eat throughout the day, the snacks provided an energy boost they need to get through the rest of the day. \r\n\r\nThe snacks you provided made our Wellness Wednesday complete. We appreciate your support.","fullyFundedDate":1726769374466,"projectUrl":"project/wholesome-snacks-for-wellness-wednesdays/8748846/","projectTitle":"Wholesome Snacks for Wellness Wednesdays","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Liza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5656217_orig.jpg?crop=766,766,x675,y423&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599835422061","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mslizagesuden"},{"teacherId":5656217,"projectId":8635822,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. Having the supplies to be able to brainstorm for our projects and visually represent our learning has been so helpful. \r\nWe've been able to draw diagrams, create task lists, and conduct class votes because we have have the materials we need. \r\n\r\nThe most recent project that my students were very proud of was the Halloween Haunted House and Festival. Each class planned a specific area of the haunted house and created the blueprint on their chart paper, so that the other students could help to build it. They used the chart paper to create the blueprint and we posted them in the room, so that they could use the blueprint as their guide. \r\n\r\nIt was wonderful to see students use the blueprint as their model. They continued to reference the blueprint throughout the building process. We appreciate your generosity. The supplies have helped our class create the visuals that help us learn.","fullyFundedDate":1723652354574,"projectUrl":"project/charting-big-ideas-help-our-leaders-get/8635822/","projectTitle":"Charting Big Ideas: Help Our Leaders Get a Refresh!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Liza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5656217_orig.jpg?crop=766,766,x675,y423&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599835422061","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mslizagesuden"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_27451","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1005,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":9,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":66,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 9","studentTeacherRatio":"26.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":82.9,"schoolId":27451,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Jefferson Leadership Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Jefferson Leadership Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/long-beach-unified-school-district/jefferson-leadership-academy/27451"}
Join the 175 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Jefferson Leadership Academy is
an urban public school
in Long Beach, California that is part of Long Beach Unified School District.
It serves 1,005 students
in grades 6 - 9 with a student/teacher ratio of 26.4:1.
Its teachers have had 65 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
91%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Jefferson Leadership Academy Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Jefferson Leadership Academy
$51,484
raised using DonorsChoose
65
projects
funded
20
teachers
funded
175
donors
3
projects
for
basic supplies
4
projects for
technology
3
projects for
books
5
projects
for
art supplies
Jefferson Leadership Academy has received support from
145 individuals from California and
30 individuals out-of-state.