Una Pantalla- One Screen

Funded Feb 9, 2021

To say that the last academic year 2020-2021 was a challenging year is an understatement. There was an uncertainty that 2020 brought to the world that was not just being felt by my students, their families but by us the teachers and the schools as well. What I wholeheartedly believe today is that education really brought light to many. It helped students feel connected and get focused on something else than what was going on outside in the world. The use of technology was the only way that as a teacher I was able to create a sense of normalcy when there was so much going on in the world, in my student's lives and in my own. It gave the opportunity to really see that "we are all there for each other" even through a little Zoom window. That is why I want to say thank you.

Through your generosity I was able to expand my view from a 13 inch screen to a much larger screen, and to be able to do that I needed a dongle that helped make the connection possible between my devices. The way that I used these tools was that I could use my computer to share with my students what they were going to work on and on the other screen I could see in real time their work (through Pear Deck). I was also able to put my students in breakout rooms where I can navigate simultaneously and see what they were working on with their partners. Putting my students into breakout rooms was actually something that they enjoyed because they would be able to work with someone else and practice Spanish like if they were in the classroom.

Being able to have the tools to make my student's screen time during the Spring of 2021 enjoyable was something that you helped me create and I thank you. Now that we are back in the classroom I still continue to use both tools, the 2nd monitor and dongle for two very important reasons: 1. to connect the second monitor and see my student's work through Pear Deck and 2. to practice safe distance. Upon our return to school I wanted to make sure that my classroom became a "paperless classroom." In a sense your gift has become a gift that keeps on giving: as now my students are practicing ways to lessen their viral contact and helping the environment by using technology. Thank you once again for being part of bringing the light of education to my students, to their families and to me too!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Sanchez