Ms. McDowell's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 3

• Can You Hear Me Now?

  Funded Aug 12, 2020

  The headphones with built-in microphones have been invaluable for our students. While we were fortunate enough to have chromebooks for each student to use during distance learning, the microphones on the chromebooks often malfunction. Additionally, many of our students share study spaces with other family members, thus, they feel uncomfortable turning on their microphone when there is background noise. The headphones have enabled more students to participate verbally in class discussions, as well as with small groups in breakout rooms.

  We are grateful to you all for your contribution! You have made distance learning a bit more manageable, which is no small feat. There are so many struggles with online school that go beyond technology - it's incredibly helpful to be able to solve one problem with some new headphones. Getting to hear our students voices again is vital to creating classroom community and building student confidence. Thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McDowell

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 6 other donors.

• Give Our Grads a Helping Hand

  Funded Jun 5, 2020

  I wanted to express my thanks for your amazing support during these tough times. My graduating seniors have been able to access their college coursework this fall due to your generosity. Since all of these students are completing their first year of college in their homes, having consistent and reliable access to technology has been crucial to their success.

  In the words of one student:

  "I would like to thank you for the laptop your organization has given me to help further my education. It will help me be prepared for my education at the University of California- Irvine and help me obtain a degree in the future. I am honored to have been selected as one of the few students to receive a laptop to help better my education. I will continue to thrive and achieve my goals in the future.

  Now that I have been given this great resource it will allow me to be prepared for my major in computer science and have one of the major components which is a laptop. Throughout high school I struggled with having to share one laptop among my two other siblings. Now that it is time to move further in my education and transition into college obtaining a laptop for my primary use is a great help. Not only will I have a laptop to use for my academics but my siblings will have one less person to share with making it easier for them to continue their academics as well.

  I am ultimately very grateful to have been given such a great resource for college that will allow me to take notes, do homework, work on programming, and etc. As time continues technology seems to be expanding and becoming one of the most useful things to students. It often comes with a high price, which makes me feel very lucky to have been one of the students that it was given to."

  Thank you again for your generous donation. It had a huge impact.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McDowell

  This classroom project was brought to life by #GraduateTogether and 8 other donors.

• Give Our Grads a Leg Up!

  Funded May 29, 2020

  I wanted to express my extreme gratitude to you all for your generous donations. The Dell laptops for my graduating seniors have enabled them to access and participate in the college coursework from home. Due to Covid-19, all of the students who received laptops are completing their first year of college from their bedrooms. They need reliable access to laptops in order to participate in school.

  In the words of one student:

  "It means a lot to me knowing that I am being supported especially in these difficult times. My family struggles financially and your support has allowed me to have the resources needed in college which we wouldn't have been able to get without your help. It will help me in continuing my education at California State University Los Angeles where I will be majoring in nursing. I will continue to do my best so that this support is valued. As with my parents, we are very grateful for this amazing opportunity."

  Another student wrote:

  "I will be going to California State University Northridge and will be a part of the Integrated Teacher Education Program or Elementary Ed major. I was worried I wouldn't have enough money to buy a laptop and iPad since they're asking me to buy both. But, thanks to you I won't have to worry about one of the devices now. At home I only have a desktop that doesn't have microphone or camera access so it's usually very difficult to communicate when I'm in zoom meetings with my teachers or advisors, especially since I share the desktop with my 2 younger siblings who also happen to have online assignments during quarantine. The laptop has already been very useful, especially when it comes to zoom meetings with my college advisor. I've been able to successfully communicate with no problems.Thank you so much for considering some of my classmates as well. We're really grateful for having someone believing in people from our community. I'm really grateful for the opportunity I received and will do my best to strive towards my accomplishments and continue with my education to prove that this laptop will help me in my future career and I will try my best to satisfy your choice."

  Thank you, again, for making this possible for these amazing students.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McDowell

  This classroom project was brought to life by #GraduateTogether and 3 other donors.