Equity First!

Funded Dec 2, 2020

First and foremost, I want to thank you for your support as I continue to provide my students with an engaging learning experience during one of the most unstable times ever in the history of education. Your gift has allowed our class to forge through some of the hiccups that get in the way of education, and for that I am grateful.

Although my students are in person, there are many ways in which technology has become the new "pen and paper." In an effort to minimize contact across students and staff, we've been assigning work via technology. Curricula resources- such as math manipulatives, reading and writing materials, science and social studies videos, and virtual tours- are all a part of the new technology tools used in the classroom.

Having the computers in our classroom is not only helpful for students who don't have their technology, but it's also useful for times when students do not charge their devices or when their devices need to be repaired. There have been several times when my students have come ready to dive into a fun activity or read a text online, only to switch the "on" button and find their device has no juice or that their device needs an update. They're so excited when they know that there's a way they can still participate in our assignments because there's a piece of equipment just for them in our classroom.

Throughout this time, several of my students who struggle with reading and math have found that they have valuable technological skills- something they would have never discovered at this age had it not have been for the ability to utilize the chrome books. There are two of my students who have become our "class technicians," as they troubleshoot for me, support other students with logging into their accounts, and help us navigate the platforms we utilize on a daily basis. One of them thought that only "boys liked that stuff," and has stated that she wants to be a techie when she grows up. Because we have a computer in our classroom, she is able to engage in projects that help her show off her talents and build the skills that make her more confident in that life-long goal.

More importantly, we all know how isolating it could be for students who are remote learners. My group is in its formidable years, where much of learning involves interacting with peers and learning happens in the midst of a group. Many of my 3rd graders have friends with who they've been in school for at least three years. It's wonderful to watch their warm smiles as we log onto the computer and have community meetings with those who are still at home. They get to bond and have the most normal semblance of community possible.

Throughout this pandemic, we've seen the disparities throughout our community. Many schools have extra technology and can continue business as usual. Many communities have parents and extended families that can easily provide their children with technology. That's not the reality of our community. However, with your generous gift, you have helped us close the achievement gap and create an equitable learning environment that will close our achievement gap in more ways than one.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Borges