{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Albert C. Black STEAM Academy","outOfStateSupporters":34.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10050308,"projectId":9397275,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for all the support. The addition of headphones has transformed learning in our classroom by giving students focused support. Many donors may use technology at home, but in our classroom it becomes a vital tool for language development and comprehension, especially for my bilingual learners. With headphones, students can listen to instructions, stories, and vocabulary practice in both English and Spanish without distractions, helping them build confidence and understanding at their own pace.\r\n\r\nThe product that most excited my students, however, was the set of math manipulatives. These hands-on tools made abstract concepts feel real and accessible, especially for my bilingual students who benefit from visual and tactile learning. One student who had struggled with math vocabulary began eagerly using the manipulatives to demonstrate her thinking, bridging the language gap through physical modeling. The combination of technology with headphones and these engaging math tools has created an empowering, inclusive learning environment where my bilingual students are thriving both academically and socially.","fullyFundedDate":1755781843627,"projectUrl":"project/building-big-dreams-in-two-languages/9397275/","projectTitle":"Building Big Dreams in Two Languages","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tovar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10050308_orig.png?crop=494,494,x0,y24&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749084524143","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10050308"},{"teacherId":9920809,"projectId":9107854,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share how your generosity through the Math Magic: Building Strong Foundations for Young Mathematicians project has transformed learning in our classroom. The new math materials have turned abstract ideas into hands-on discoveries, and my students are now exploring math with enthusiasm, confidence, and joy.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students' excitement was contagious—they could not wait to explore the colorful counters, cubes, headsets and visual models. I still remember the moment we opened the boxes; the children clapped and cheered, eager to begin using them. One of our favorite classroom projects has been \"Build and Solve\", where students use manipulatives to create their own number bond problems and then challenge classmates to find the solutions. Seeing them work together, explain their reasoning, and celebrate their learning has been incredibly rewarding.\r\nThese tools have made math accessible for every student, regardless of their learning tier or language level. By using number of the day, number bonds, area models, and interactive games, students can now visualize math concepts and communicate their thinking clearly in both English and Spanish. The manipulatives also allow for differentiated instruction—advanced learners explore multi-step problems while others strengthen foundational counting and subtraction skills.\r\nAs we move into the next phase of our learning, my students will begin applying these skills to real-world problems, such as simple measurements and graphing classroom data. Their confidence has grown tremendously, and they now see themselves as true mathematicians—curious, capable, and creative.\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for giving them the tools to experience the joy of math every day. Your generosity continues to make a lasting impact in our bilingual classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1746785865090,"projectUrl":"project/math-magic-building-strong-foundations/9107854/","projectTitle":"Math Magic: Building Strong Foundations for Young Mathematicians in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9920809_orig.jpg?crop=1024,1024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746929816641","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nanperez"},{"teacherId":9906075,"projectId":9078255,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, our classroom received new headphones and water bottles that are already making a big difference for my students every day!\r\n\r\nThe headphones have transformed our independent learning time. My students now focus better during online reading and math lessons because they can clearly hear the instructions without distractions. They feel so proud to have their own pair, it gives them a sense of responsibility and ownership during our technology rotations. Many of my bilingual learners especially enjoy using them for listening activities that help build English and Spanish vocabulary.\r\n\r\nThe water bottles have been just as impactful! Staying hydrated helps my students stay alert and ready to learn throughout the day, and having their own bottles has cut down on classroom interruptions for water breaks. They also love decorating them with stickers to make them their own, a small but meaningful way to build classroom community.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our classroom in such a practical and meaningful way. Your kindness continues to make a lasting impact on our daily learning and success!","fullyFundedDate":1742320452216,"projectUrl":"project/new-teacher/9078255/","projectTitle":"New Teacher","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gallegos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9906075_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755267044379","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9906075"},{"teacherId":9933233,"projectId":9136656,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous support of our classroom through Donors Choose. Because of you, my students received much-needed resources that have already made a meaningful impact on their learning experience.\r\n\r\nWe've been putting the new materials to great use. Recently, we used one of the Lakeshore comprehension games to review our lessons about text structures. My fifth-grade babies collaborated, problem-solved, and were truly engaged while they played. One of my favorite moments was seeing a typically quiet student read the comprehension story to his team with confidence. His teammates were supportive and chimed in to help him read the more difficult words. They also worked together to model their thought process before settling on an answer. These are the kinds of moments that remind me why this work is so important.\r\n\r\nThank you for being a part of our classroom story. Your generosity has given my students the resources they need to be successful and have fun while learning.","fullyFundedDate":1747661758306,"projectUrl":"project/put-where/9136656/","projectTitle":"Put Where?","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hopkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9933233"},{"teacherId":9921443,"projectId":9109135,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation! The new kindergarten centers have truly transformed our classroom. When the students first saw the materials, they were so excited; they clapped, cheered, and even shouted, \"I love school!\" and \"You're the best teacher!\" Their response amazed me and allowed me to see that this was truly needed.\r\n\r\nWe are using these centers daily, and they've made our learning stations more engaging and interactive. Next, we're focusing on small group work to build confident, fluent readers utilizing the knowledge that they have obtained from these centers and your generous donation. I can't wait to see the love of learning, we've created in these students together, continue to develop. Thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1750732283643,"projectUrl":"project/centers-that-shine-to-help-kinder-minds/9109135/","projectTitle":"Centers That Shine, to Help Kinder Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sneed","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9921443"},{"teacherId":2928656,"projectId":9317541,"letterContent":"When the boxes of pencils, folders, dry erase markers, and highlighters arrived, my students were so excited! Many of them rushed to ask, \"Can we use these today?\" The simple joy of having fresh supplies brought big smiles to their faces. For some students, this was the first time they had their own set of tools to use without having to borrow from others, which gave them a sense of pride and ownership in their learning.\r\n\r\nSince then, we have been using the supplies daily. During writing lessons, the highlighters help students identify key evidence in texts, while the dry erase markers make it easy to practice grammar, spelling, and math on whiteboards without fear of mistakes. The folders have given each student a personal place to keep their work, helping us stay more organized as we move through our units. One of my favorite moments was watching students eagerly highlight their text evidence during a reading activity—they were so engaged and confident because they had the right tools in hand.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these supplies will continue to play a major role in our upcoming lessons. As we prepare for projects and test prep, having enough pencils, folders, and markers ensures that all students can focus on learning rather than worrying about not having what they need. Your generosity has removed barriers and created a classroom where every child has equal access to the tools for success. Thank you for making such a difference for us!","fullyFundedDate":1746786970175,"projectUrl":"project/equipping-our-classroom-for-success/9317541/","projectTitle":"Equipping Our Classroom for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Douglas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2928656_orig.jpg?crop=1043,1043,x0,y323&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1592347111291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2928656"},{"teacherId":2928656,"projectId":9317342,"letterContent":"I've always been the kind of \"book person\" who reads with a highlighter in one hand and sticky notes in the other. You'd often find me sitting at my dining room table in the evening, stacks of professional books beside me, marking passages that spark new ideas or strategies to bring back to my students. These professional development books on the science of reading have quickly become my go-to resources. They are filled with tabs, margin notes, and moments of inspiration that I revisit often as I plan lessons.\r\n\r\nThe texts have helped me deepen my understanding of critical reading skills such as phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. I've already begun applying these lessons by explicitly modeling strategies in my classroom and incorporating more systematic practice for students who need extra support. For example, after reading about the power of structured phonics routines, I reintroduced a daily warm-up that gives all students—especially those still struggling—a stronger foundation to tackle grade-level texts.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments came when a student who had previously avoided reading raised his hand to volunteer during a fluency practice. Afterward, he told me, \"I feel like I can actually do this now.\" That confidence came directly from strategies I learned through these books. Your generosity has not only elevated my own teaching but has already opened doors for my students, helping them see themselves as capable, growing readers. Thank you for investing in both my professional growth and their success.","fullyFundedDate":1746716897421,"projectUrl":"project/soring-professional-development/9317342/","projectTitle":"SoRing Professional Development","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Douglas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2928656_orig.jpg?crop=1043,1043,x0,y323&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1592347111291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2928656"},{"teacherId":2928656,"projectId":9117008,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new storage containers in our classroom, they were amazed at how organized everything looked. Several of them commented that the classroom felt \"brand new\" and \"less crowded.\" One student even said, \"Now I know exactly where to find what I need!\" Their excitement showed me that even something as simple as storage can transform the way students feel about their learning space.\r\n\r\nSince then, the containers have been used daily to keep supplies like notebooks, reading materials, and writing tools neatly organized. During small group work, students are able to quickly grab the bins with what they need and transition smoothly without losing valuable learning time. This has created a sense of independence and responsibility, as students take pride in keeping their materials in order and returning them to the correct place.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these storage containers will continue to support our projects and lessons by making materials easy to access. As we prepare for our next reading and writing units, the organization they provide ensures that students can focus on learning rather than searching for supplies. Your generosity has brought both structure and joy to our classroom, and it has given my students a space that feels calm, welcoming, and ready for success.","fullyFundedDate":1746699633509,"projectUrl":"project/container-confidence/9117008/","projectTitle":"Container Confidence","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Douglas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2928656_orig.jpg?crop=1043,1043,x0,y323&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1592347111291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2928656"},{"teacherId":2928656,"projectId":9106753,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new resources arrive, their faces lit up with excitement. Many of them rushed to open the boxes, eager to explore the materials they had only heard me talk about. One student exclaimed, \"This feels like Christmas in the classroom!\" Their joy showed me just how much these tools meant to them, not only as supplies but as a sign that people outside our school believe in their potential.\r\n\r\nSince then, we have been using the resources daily. For example, during our latest reading and writing project, students worked in small groups using the new materials to organize their thoughts, annotate texts, and create presentations. The additional supplies made it possible for each student to fully participate without worrying about not having what they needed. This allowed them to focus on their ideas and collaborate more confidently with their peers.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are preparing for our next unit, where students will apply these tools to practice inference, text evidence, and writing responses. The resources you provided ensure they will have everything at their fingertips to succeed. Your generosity has not only made our lessons run more smoothly but also boosted my students' confidence in their learning. Thank you for making such a meaningful impact on our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1746699590546,"projectUrl":"project/in-other-words/9106753/","projectTitle":"In Other Words!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Douglas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2928656_orig.jpg?crop=1043,1043,x0,y323&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1592347111291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2928656"},{"teacherId":2928656,"projectId":9076933,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new resources arrive, their faces lit up with excitement. Many of them rushed to open the boxes, eager to explore the materials they had only heard me talk about. One student exclaimed, \"This feels like Christmas in the classroom!\" Their joy showed me just how much these tools meant to them, not only as supplies but as a sign that people outside our school believe in their potential.\r\n\r\nSince then, we have been using the resources daily. For example, during our latest reading and writing project, students worked in small groups using the new materials to organize their thoughts, annotate texts, and create presentations. The additional supplies made it possible for each student to fully participate without worrying about not having what they needed. This allowed them to focus on their ideas and collaborate more confidently with their peers.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are preparing for our next unit, where students will apply these tools to practice inference, text evidence, and writing responses. The resources you provided ensure they will have everything at their fingertips to succeed. Your generosity has not only made our lessons run more smoothly but also boosted my students' confidence in their learning. Thank you for making such a meaningful impact on our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1746716777209,"projectUrl":"project/spring-re-up/9076933/","projectTitle":"Spring Re-Up!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Douglas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2928656_orig.jpg?crop=1043,1043,x0,y323&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1592347111291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2928656"},{"teacherId":6936629,"projectId":9121528,"letterContent":"My 3rd grade students and I would like to sincerely thank you for your generous donations for the classroom. These resources have already had a tremendous impact on my students and in our classroom. We use the wipes and disinfectants daily to keep our learning space clean and healthy, which helps students stay focused and present especially with flu season approaching. Sensory toys have become a favorite tool during times when students need to reset and regulate their emotions from something that has happened at school and/or at home. One student who often struggles to concentrate was able to complete an entire math activity/independent practice while calmly using a sensory fidget, which was a wonderful moment to witness.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are using these resources to support hands-on projects in math and science. For example, during an upcoming unit on measurement, the sensory tools will help students stay engaged during problem-solving activities, while the clean, organized classroom environment ensures they can focus on learning. Thanks to you, our students are not only learning more effectively but also building confidence and joy in their education.","fullyFundedDate":1746592476160,"projectUrl":"project/it-takes-a-village-to-attain-student-ach/9121528/","projectTitle":"It Takes a Village to Attain Student Achievement!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chachere","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6936629"},{"teacherId":8660136,"projectId":9122323,"letterContent":"My students and I are so grateful for the support that allows us to keep our classroom clean and healthy each day. The children truly enjoy taking responsibility for disinfecting their desks, and it has become a meaningful part of our end-of-day routine. Knowing that we are taking extra steps to reduce the spread of germs, especially during a time when flu and colds are circulating, gives us peace of mind and helps us maintain a safe learning environment.\r\n\r\nIn addition to fostering cleanliness, your generosity has also provided students with the essential supplies they need to thrive. The excitement on their faces when they each received their own pack of colored pencils and new pencils was priceless. Looking ahead, we are eager to incorporate our donated folders and journals to help us stay organized as we move forward with new lessons. Thank you again for equipping us with the tools to keep our classroom both disinfected and well-prepared for learning.","fullyFundedDate":1746785732964,"projectUrl":"project/kelleys-kids-can-and-will-succeed/9122323/","projectTitle":"Kelley's Kids Can and Will Succeed!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kelley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8660136"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_18297","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":353,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":86,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":64,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.5,"schoolId":18297,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Albert C. Black STEAM Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Albert C. Black STEAM Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/dallas-independent-school-district/w-w-bushman-elementary-school/18297"}