Past projects 5
Classroom Upgrade
Funded Jun 26, 2023Thank you so much for your contributions in helping me create a space for my neurodivergent students. The impact was seen almost instantly with how much more comfortable they feel being in a class with softer lighting and flexible seating. The wiggle chairs helped kids stay in class more because they didn't need to take a walk to help them regulate.
Just having such a small change relaxed my students and helped them manage their sensory input and helped them stave off overload. They are in an environment where they can decompress their nervous system, which in turn made them much more focused and productive in class.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Zakaria
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 2 other donors.Desi Books for Desi Kids!
Funded Apr 24, 2023Thank you so much for your donations to help get books to our Desi Club! For so much of my education, I didn't see myself reflected in the stories read or subjects learned in school. It made me feel othered, and not so comfortable being in spaces where I felt like I was different or couldn't connect with others. As teacher, all these years later... not much had changed in terms of how we included our students.
I am fortunate to work in a school where I have students that reflect me and that I reflect them, and most importantly there is a space for my South Asian students to connect with one another... one being through stories.
Clubs just started three weeks ago, and the kids were beyond excited to unpack and physically see the books. They took their first books home to read to then come back and discuss during club. We still have a long way to go so that all of our students are seen in their education, but these books are helping to establish inclusivity for our Desi club members.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Zakaria
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 18 other donors.Creating Comics in Comic Book Club
Funded Oct 23, 2018Thank you so much for your donations. This school year, The Comic Book Club at Arts and Technology has grown to 25 consistent members. This year we have members from 9th to 12th grade... and they have become a wonderful community of artists and comic book enthusiasts who help, support and encourage each other. I cannot express enough how these supplies helped our students explore and develop their art styles. Their relationships to each other has spilled into the school setting too as they all are friends who found themselves in each other. We look forward to what we will create together in the coming months and I hope that they continue to gain confidence in their talents because they truly are such wonderful kids.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Zakaria
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Arts Funder and 12 other donors.Learning through Social Injustice
Funded Apr 13, 2018I cannot thank you enough for your support! My students learned about race relations and identity politics through this important book. This has helped embolden them to be more active in their roles as members of their community. There is a fire lit in them to mobilize. This past Spring, students had a voter registration drive with our city's Mayor, Bill DeBlasio, to get the upperclassmen who will be ready to vote come November to be registered to really make a political impact. They feel that their voices are important. They feel important. And YOU helped them realize their own individual power in relation to others and how they can be a force to be reckoned with. They are truly inspired.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Zakaria
Our Comic Book Club Needs Art Supplies!
Funded Mar 1, 2016Dear Donors,
The students and I cannot thank YOU enough for the contributions you've made to help them develop their skills and dreams of working in the Comic-Book realm. I had been struggling for a few months trying to get resources so that the students can co-create their own comics together. We learned how to make comics in theory, but desperately wanted to put these ideas into practice.
When the box of supplies came in the students were so overjoyed. They unpacked all of their new materials carefully and took great care in organizing all materials and logging all of the supplies they received.
Since they have received the supplies there is this amazing energy that had erupted because they don't feel as limited in the way they want to express their stories. They have been making some wonderful art and have been writing so many unique stories together. They are closer than ever because they are using the art supplies to bond with each other more through their co-created projects. They are really growing as artists, storytellers and best of all, as individuals with their own visual voice. This contribution has helped them develop confidence in a genre that is usually overlooked as being meaningful to a person.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Zakaria