Mrs. Espinoza's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 86

• Progress Over Perfection

  Funded May 24, 2022

  Thank you for seeing value in my project and in the importance of acknowledging and rewarding students for their progress and achievements rather than focusing on perfection.

  The items that were received thanks to your contributions were put to good use and students were excited to receive their gifts. The vinyl was used to personalize a water bottle for each student and each bottle was filled with candy and other snacks. The clipboards were given to students who I felt needed them to help with organization; they seem to have helped since all of their papers and assignments were kept in one secure place. The markers were used to decorate the clipboards and for students to write on their peers' yearbooks and water bottles.

  Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to provide a learning experience for my students in which they feel appreciated and valued.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Espinoza

  This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron and one other donor.

• Our Class Pet...The Cricut

  Funded Jun 2, 2022

  Thank you for seeing value in my project and in the impact that having access to technology and resources in our classroom can have on student learning and engagement. Most of my students are creative scholars that aspire to go into the field of art or engineering; they belong to pathways, or academies, with classes that focus on the arts, architecture, manufacturing, and engineering. Having the tools and opportunities to express their creativity in various hands-on learning experiences makes learning fun for students and allows them to explore ideas that they probably wouldn't know about without the exposure.

  Thanks to your generosity, I was able to create personalized water bottles with student names and a school logo. They loved the water bottles and started using them immediately. Some students also created personalized cosmetic and/or pencil bags with the materials contributed and were very proud of their creations.

  Thanks again for giving my students the opportunity to continue to expand their knowledge and creativity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Espinoza

  This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron and one other donor.

• Colors Speak Louder Than Words

  Funded Jun 6, 2022

  Thank you for seeing value in my project and in the impact that having access to "color" in our classroom can have on student learning and mood.

  Thanks to your generosity, I was able to print certificates of participation for all students and some specific certificates for students who reached certain goals and achievements. It was nice to be able to recognize students for their efforts this year and the fact that the certificates were in color made the certificates look a lot more professional and meaningful.

  I think it is important to have visual reminders for students posted in various formats and in different locations and in ways that are visually appealing. I was able to have tutorial flyers printed in color as well as the graduate profile so that they know what they are expected to know and be by the time they graduate. The Growth Mindset poster is a visual representation of how to keep a positive attitude and keep trying even when facing challenges.

  I am excited to continue creating certificates, visuals and learning resources in color to help my students succeed. Thank you for allowing me to provide these positive learning experiences and resources for my Scholars”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Espinoza

  This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron and 5 other donors.

• The Whole Child

  Funded May 6, 2022

  Thank you for seeing value in my project and in my students. I can tell you that the items donated were not only a surprise to my students but they were also truly grateful to receive them.

  I personalized the water bottles that were purchased with the school colors, a panther paw (our school mascot) and their individual names. I cannot describe the look on their faces when they received the bottles and saw their names on them. I also filled the bottles with snacks, such as candy, cookies, and granola bars. Although the water bottles were meant to keep them hydrated in the summer, they started using them immediately!

  The gift cards gave me the opportunity to reward students for their hard work and commitment. We had a semester-long math competition held weekly and I promised students they would receive a prize at the end. I believe that this made a difference in their attendance to the competition and in the amount of effort they put into it. They were both happy and grateful when they received their gift cards.

  Again, thank you for helping me create a positive and engaging learning environment for my students. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Espinoza

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 10 other donors.

• Meeting Students' Needs

  Funded Mar 14, 2022

  Thank you for your generosity and contribution to the project that was created for my students. Thanks to your contributions, I've been able to create more engaging learning experiences and activities. I host weekly MBA games after school, which is a math game following a basketball game model. Students work cooperatively in groups to solve math problems and earn points for their teams. Although only the winning team members receive a prize, hence the gift cards that were requested, all students receive snacks and drinks during these games, also provided with the help of your generous donations.

  Because students know they have an opportunity to win a gift card, they are more enthusiastic about attending after school tutorials and to participate in the competitive math game. This in turn increases socialization, collaboration, team building as well as a boost in their self esteem.

  The prizes and incentives have improved attendance and engagement for my students. My next steps are to continue reaching out to donors and any organizations that will see value in my program so that I can continue to provide snacks and prizes to my students to keep the excitement for learning and momentum going.

  Again, thank you for your donations. The field of education is difficult but my students matter and they are worth it and that is why I am here. It takes a village, and I thank you for being part of mine.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Espinoza

• Motivate to Be Great!

  Funded Dec 14, 2021

  The gift cards that were funded thanks to the generosity of the donors that believed in my project were a success. Sometimes students don't have the inner motivation or desire to do well just for the sake of doing well. This is where incentives and rewards become important. Because I had something to offer students in return for their participation and academic achievements, they were more excited to attend study sessions and tutorials. I was able to create review games that were both educational and engaging while providing students the opportunity to win prizes. Students encouraged and peer pressured each other to attend these sessions. There were times when they worked in groups to earn a prize and this helped with their socialization and taught them how to work collaboratively. Ultimately, the incentives increased participation and academic achievement but most importantly, it boosted morale and made learning fun. I am truly grateful to the donors who made it possible for me to provide these opportunities to my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Espinoza

• Help Me, Literally, Feed My Scholars!

  Funded Nov 12, 2021

  Thank you for contributing to my classroom project. Thanks to your donations, I have been able to provide students with snacks every time they attend a study session or tutorial. Consequently, offering food and snacks have served as an incentive to attend these sessions regularly and attendance and participation has increased. I also made holiday treat bags for students to have snacks at home over the holidays. Increased participation means I am able to reach more students and provide them with the tools and support to raise their grades.

  Some of the academic celebrations are: 1) there was been a 150% growth in students earning a GPA higher than 3.0 2) Student attendance rate has increased to approximately 91% 3) 54% of the students participating in the program have improved their GPA compared to last year 4) There is a 24% decrease in the number of students that are ineligible to attend a university based on their GPA.

  My next steps for my students is to continue to look for funds, contributions, and donations to be able to provide my students with snacks when they attend tutorials. I also want to find other incentives and a reward system to continue to motivate students and keep the momentum going. Be on the lookout for future projects I create.

  Again, thank you for your contributions and know that you made a huge impact in my classroom and the lives of my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Espinoza