Past projects 2
Clothes for Confidence: Life Essentials for Students
Funded Apr 17, 2017Thank you so much for your generous donations to this project! The funding has allowed me to order coats, gloves, shirts, socks, and toiletries for students whose families struggle economically.
Several pieces of clothing and supplies were quickly put in the hands of students, who chose items to bring home not just for them, but their families as well. It was wonderful to see students walk out with a smile, knowing that they had a warm coat for the winter and a new shirt to wear.
The clothing and supplies donated, thanks to you, will be available to any student in need, allowing them to focus on school, rather than some of their financial struggles at home.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Axler
This classroom project was brought to life by Life Essentials Supporters and 4 other donors.Inspiring Students to be Heroes through Hip Hop
Funded Sep 10, 2015Thank you so much for making Blake's visit a reality! The assemblies were very successful. Blake began by doing freestyle rap that incorporated random topics my that my students provided. They were rapt as they heard him touch upon each topic they suggested, in perfect rhyme and rhythm. It was a terrific way to have students begin thinking about the ways in which we use words to make an impact.
Blake then connected with the students by talking about his own experiences in middle school - how he grappled with self-doubt and cared tremendously about what others thought of him. The students especially loved when he talked about auditioning for America's Got Talent. He didn't get on the show, but he did speak about the choice he had to make: to either let that setback pull him down, or to use it as momentum to keep trying and working hard. Ultimately, his choice to "view challenges as opportunities" led him to a fulfilling career rapping, beat-boxing, and doing outreach work.
The visit was much more than an entertaining motivational speech. It was an impetus that got my students thinking about their own lives and the attitudes they hold toward the challenges that they face. My students wrote reflections after Blake's visit, and many said that it inspired them to persist in following their dreams, even when it gets difficult. As we examined characters in The Lightning Thief and ancient Greek myths, students were able to make more meaningful connections to heroism because of Blake's visit. They understood that heroic behavior does not simply mean taking risks or even defeating "the enemy." They wrote about and discussed how heroism can be seen in persisting in the face of difficulty, in putting others' needs before your own, and in making choices to define your future, rather than letting it be defined for you.
Thank you so much for giving my students the opportunity to connect what we learn in class to their own lives. Blake's visit has had a memorable impact on my students, and so have you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Axler