Past projects 124
It's Time to Get Slide Certified: Ron Clark Academy #2
Funded May 7, 2015The "It's Time to Get Slide Certified ~ Ron Clark Academy #2" project is officially complete thanks to each of you! When entering the Ron Clark Academy this quote is on the front door; '"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
This quote definitely captures the spirit, mission and vision of this phenomenal institution of learning!
What an amazing experience! Thank you all so much for making this career dream come true. I thoroughly had an awesome time attending the National Educators' Conference at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Ron Clark stated it best when he said, "We teach in innovative, creative, and inspiring ways, and we empower youth to take charge of their own destinies, reach their goals, and fulfill their dreams with compassion, integrity, and honor. We fill our students' days with knowledge and wonder, all while demanding academic rigor and achieving incredible results." I, along with the other nine teachers that were able to attend the conference, thanks to the Professional Development Pilot Program, left the conference inspired, motivated and ready to share everything we learned with our colleagues, in an effort to benefit all of the students in our school building.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Qualls
It's Time to Get Slide Certified ~ Ron Clark Academy
Funded Feb 6, 2015The "It's Time to Get Slide Certified ~ Ron Clark Academy" project is officially complete thanks to each of you! When entering the Ron Clark Academy this quote is on the front door; '"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
This quote definitely captures the spirit, mission and vision of this phenomenal institution of learning!
What an amazing experience! Thank you all so much for making this career dream come true. I thoroughly had an awesome time attending the National Educators' Conference at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Ron Clark stated it best when he said, "We teach in innovative, creative, and inspiring ways, and we empower youth to take charge of their own destinies, reach their goals, and fulfill their dreams with compassion, integrity, and honor. We fill our students' days with knowledge and wonder, all while demanding academic rigor and achieving incredible results." I, along with the other nine teachers that were able to attend the conference, thanks to the Professional Development Pilot Program, left the conference inspired, motivated and ready to share everything we learned with our colleagues, in an effort to benefit all of the students in our school building.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Qualls
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.Catching the Rhythm of Reading with Hit Music! Part 2
Funded May 7, 2015President Woodrow Wilson said, "We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true".
What has just happened for my students is seriously a dream come true! This project by far was one of my largest projects ever submitted and it is fully funded thanks to each of you! I am so blessed, encouraged and motivated by your support.
There are simply no words to describe the sheer joy and enormous amount of gratitude I have for Stephen Colbert, ScanSource, the Morgridge Family Foundation, DonorsChoose.org and so many others who assisted in bringing the events of this past week to fruition. I am humbled by the generosity each of you displayed for the students and teachers of South Carolina! The impact you all have made can never be fully measured, but it will definitely be felt for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Qualls
Learning 'Financial Literacy' Today with Tomorrow in Mind!
Funded May 7, 2015What a wonderful surprise to conclude state testing! Thank YOU so much for your support of our project, "Learning 'Financial Literacy' Today with Tomorrow in Mind!"
When our iPad minis arrive, my students will enjoy numerous applications that will assist them in all subject areas. This new, innovative tool is sure to be a great hit and will cause my students to become active participants in the learning process. This new excitement will be ALL thanks to YOU.
Please continue to follow our class and be kept up-to-date with new projects to assist me in reaching each and every one of my students on a daily basis. Your financial support means the world to us and provides countless opportunities for my little ones to blossom!
There are simply no words to describe the sheer joy and enormous amount of gratitude I have for so many who assisted in bringing the events of this past week to fruition. I am humbled by the generosity each of you displayed for the students and teachers of South Carolina! The impact you all have made can never be fully measured, but it will definitely be felt for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Qualls
United by a Common Thread!
Funded Apr 1, 2015The NEW, official Mr. Qualls's Class t-shirts have arrived and we are thrilled! An educator by the name of Marian Wright Elderman said, "So often we dwell on the things that seem impossible rather than on the things that are possible. So often we are depressed by what remains to be done and forget to be thankful for all that has been done".
What you have done for my students at my school is immeasurable. Your contribution will not only benefit them for the remainder of this school year, but your donation will have a lasting impact on student achievement, school climate and school culture for years and years to come! Confidence is certainly a gift that keeps on giving!
It is so refreshing to know that individuals like yourselves still exist. The generosity of friends is something sadly that many people do not get to encounter. I am thankful that I am not one of those people.
I am truly grateful that you believe in the gift of school spirit and realize its importance to our children. Your kindness has afforded my students with school and class pride, as well as personal self-esteem.
Not only have you been an inspiration to me and a blessing to my students, but you have also motivated other teachers at my school to reach out, literally the World and seek assistance through this awesome online charity, Donors Choose. What we encounter on a daily basis can never be adequately explained, only experienced. What makes it all worthwhile is to observe the 'I get it' faces of our students and reaffirming deeds of kindness like what you have shown.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Qualls
This classroom project was brought to life by Produce For Kids Publix and 4 other donors.Teamwork Makes the Dream Work ... Especially at Recess!
Funded Apr 16, 2015TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK ... ESPECIALLY AT RECESS ...
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!
Healthy students are certainly happy students! It feels amazing to get up, get out and get moving! Thanks to each of you, this is our new reality at recess!
The acceptance of bullying has ended! Everyone is on board to end the ridiculous cycle. Even Lady Gaga says, "I've been actually really very pleased to see how much awareness was raised around bullying, and how deeply it affects everyone. You know, you don't have to be the loser kid in high school to be bullied. Bullying and being picked on comes in so many different forms".
Thank you all so very much for your support of this project! Because of your generosity, my students have sports equipment to use together in a friendly manner. Our recognition of Bully Prevention has been absolutely phenomenal, thanks to the match offers provided by Publix.
Thank you all so much for helping me create a safe, warm, inviting atmosphere... outside of our classroom, where students are free to continue to express themselves and play together.
We are so thankful for each of you!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Qualls
This classroom project was brought to life by Produce For Kids Publix and 18 other donors.Great EAGLE Behavior Doesn't Go Unnoticed Thanks to PBIS! #2
Funded Mar 14, 2015An educator by the name of Marian Wright Elderman said, "So often we dwell on the things that seem impossible rather than on the things that are possible. So often we are depressed by what remains to be done and forget to be thankful for all that has been done".
What you have done for the fifth grade students at my school is immeasurable. Your contribution will not only benefit them for the remainder of this school year, but your donation will have a lasting impact on student achievement, by reaching all of the other rising fifth grade students to come. It is so refreshing to know that individuals like yourselves still exist. The generosity of strangers is something sadly that many people do not get to encounter. I am thankful that I am no longer one of those people.
I am truly grateful that you believe in the gift of a great education and realize its importance to our children. Your kindness has afforded my students with incentives that I can utilize to continue to promote great behavior as well as academic success, in an effort to create a lifelong love of learning.
Not only have you been an inspiration to me and a blessing to my students, but you have also motivated other teachers at my school to reach out, literally the World and seek assistance through this awesome online charity, Donors Choose. What we encounter on a daily basis can never be adequately explained, only experienced. What makes it all worthwhile is to observe the 'I get it' faces of our students and reaffirming deeds of kindness like what you have shown.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Qualls
All You Need to Succeed at the Ron Clark Academy!
Funded Mar 12, 2015The countdown has begun! Thanks to the Professional Development Pilot Program through DonorsChoose.org, in 75 days I will be visiting the Ron Clark Academy for the 2015 National Summer Educators' Conference! I am absolutely stoked to have the opportunity to learn from two of the most respected educators in the nation. In addition to attending the conference, I wrote a second professional development project requesting "Everything You Need to Succeed at The Ron Clark Academy!"
I wanted to read and reread some of his books like The Excellent 11 – Qualities Teachers and Parents Use to Motivate, Inspire and Educate Children and my absolute favorite, New York Times' Best Selling...The End of Molasses Classes, Getting Our Kids Unstuck with 101 Extraordinary Solutions for Parents and Teachers! I also requested RCA's Co-Founder, Kim Bearden's book Crash Course – The Life Lessons My Students Taught Me! I had the opportunity to hear her speak at the South Carolina Association of Title One School Administrators Conference last fall, and was moved by her story tremendously! I know her book will become one of my favorite stories of triumph!
Thank you all so very much getting the materials to me in time for to prepare for the conference. Not only do I know have the needed books, but I also have stickers and motivational posters for the 'Essential 55 – Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child' to implement everything that I learn at the conference, next year when the new school year begins. Lastly, I am going to 'look the part'! How? I now have the official Ron Clark Academy hoodie and t-shirt! One more thing! Before we journey to Atlanta, I am hosting a party for the other nine teachers who are attending the conference! We are all going to watch the DVD The Ron Clark story, starring Matthew Perry! As you can see, this project really did include "Everything You Need to Succeed at the Ron Clark Academy!"
Number 98 in Clark's The End of Molasses Classes says, once you have donors, work hard to keep them! I am going to work extremely hard to prepare for the conference and have a renewed commitment to thinking outside of the box, to bring my students the latest and greatest, engaging lessons! Thank you for your continued support!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Qualls
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 15 other donors.Transforming Our School with the Stroke of a Paint Brush! #4
Funded Feb 27, 2015PAINT, PAINT AND MORE PAINT!!! William Bennett, Former US Secretary of Education said it best; "An elementary school that treats the arts as the province of a few gifted children, or views them only as recreation and entertainment, is a school that needs an infusion of soul. The arts are an essential element of education, just like reading, writing, and arithmetic." This by far has been one of the most rewarding undertakings I've had to date! This idea of transforming our school with murals came about many years ago, however I never felt I had the platform to bring the vision into fruition...but then came Donors Choose! In collaboration with Public Education Partners of Greenville, our school's transformation has begun. You would not believe the impact these murals are having on our school culture and climate. We all have a new found sense of pride entering and exiting our building. We have targeted high traffic areas to revitalize! This MURAL MANIA journey has just begun. Stay tuned...there is so much more in store! Once again, thank you all for your continued support!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Qualls
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans
Funded Feb 16, 2015We are in the middle of Kadir Nelson's Heart and Soul and we can't turn the pages fast enough! What a beautifully written account of the African-American journey. Without your suggestion, I would not have ever been able to introduce this work to my students. Thank you so much for going above and beyond for my students. We are thoroughly enjoying the stories of hope, perseverance and inspiration. The multicultural crayons are a HUGE HIT! We are now creating a collage of faces that we will use to create a display for the hallway. Having these materials in our hands so quickly has made this Black History Month even more meaningful. You are truly an angel!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Qualls