Atlanta Braves Foundation Most Valuable Teachers

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Thank you so much for the new iPad. This new iPad allows my students to have updated information through technology so they can learn and grow daily! I am able to download apps to assist all of the students in my classroom daily. The students were excited that they could use their hands to learn.

Many of them are unable to use a computer or a mouse due to their fine motor skills. We do most of our learning with hands-on activities, and the iPad allows them time to work with technology and not be overwhelmed trying to use a mouse. They also can use the iPad during free choice to learn to play games and be okay with losing. They can get upset when something does not go their way, and they are learning social-emotional skills with the iPad that it is ok when things don't go their way. Again, the students in my classroom are so thankful that we were able to get the iPad.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Hyche

Our Digital Drawing Project has been a tremendous success. In fact, several students were recognized at an art exhibit at the State Capitol and the students had the opportunity to visit the Capitol and share their work with State Legislators in conjunction with the art show! I have included a selection of images created by the students as well as pictures of the students using the devices in the classroom. We started strong with lessons designed to show them all the tools in the design software and how the tablet and pen could enhance these tools. Once the kids mastered the basics, they were free to use the device to pursue their own artistic interests. In the photos you can see students drawing anime, another drawing the Blue Angels' jets (a future aspiration) and others doing impressive landscapes. I love how this project has brough out a wealth of creative ideas for these kids. Thank you for your support of these amazing artists!”

With gratitude,

Dr. Aimee Burgamy

On behalf of our students and myself, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your generous donation to our STEM Encore. Your support has made a tangible impact, allowing students across multiple grade levels to engage with technology and hands-on learning in meaningful ways.

With the addition of Sphero bots, students have been able to integrate technology into their learning, applying concepts of math, directional movement, and coding in an interactive and engaging manner. These tools have helped students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while making learning both fun and impactful.

Additionally, the hot glue guns have opened up even more creative possibilities for our students. They have been instrumental in hands-on projects that explore balance and mass in physics, as well as providing essential materials for our students competing in our county's Science Olympiad. This has given them the opportunity to build, experiment, and refine their engineering skills in ways that wouldn't have been possible without your generosity.

The inclusion of Legos, Magna-Tiles, and other building materials has been especially beneficial for our younger students, giving them the opportunity to participate in engineering challenges that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. These materials have sparked a love of learning in STEM, allowing students to explore concepts of structure, design, and stability in a hands-on, engaging way.

Your donation has truly enriched our STEM encore, giving our students the resources they need to create, explore, and innovate. We are incredibly grateful for your support and look forward to seeing how these tools continue to inspire young minds.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Willis

Thank you so much for funding my Donors Choose project, "Bring Balance to Chemistry with Lab Scales." Your generosity will have a positive impact on a multitude of students over the years. My chemistry class begins the semester with a review of basic science concepts. The concept of density is covered in this review. The students were able to use the electronic balances which you funded to find the mass of six unknown objects. They then found the volume of the objects and calculated the density. The density of each object was then compared to a chart in order to determine the identity of the unknown substance. Due to your generosity, we had reliable scales to obtain these measurements. There were also fewer students per group which led to more hands-on experiences with the lab. The lab scales will be used for future labs such as percent composition and molarity. I find myself looking for additional labs the students will enjoy which use the electronic scales.

The students were excited to see the lab scales. Since they had not seen the older scales we were using, I explained to them how fortunate we were to have the new reliable scales. I also told the students of your generosity. We then discussed how to use and care for the new scales. We want to use these lab scales for many years to come.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Bernard

Thanks to your generous donation, our students now have the incredible opportunity to explore computer science in a whole new way with the 3D pens. These hands-on tools have allowed them to bring their ideas to life, transforming abstract concepts into tangible, three-dimensional designs. This experience has significantly boosted their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and spatial reasoning, all while enhancing their understanding of design and programming principles. The excitement in the classroom is palpable as students dive into projects that ignite their curiosity and deepen their connection to the material.

The impact of your contribution goes beyond just teaching technical skills. With these 3D pens, our students are gaining confidence in their abilities and discovering new possibilities for their futures in STEM fields. Many of them have never had access to such advanced technology, and now they are empowered to explore their potential in ways they hadn't imagined. Your support has given them not only the tools to learn but the motivation to dream bigger and pursue careers in technology, engineering, and design. Thank you for making such a lasting difference in their education and future opportunities.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Meadows