You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Menu
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

Edit classroom photo

Ms. Nigro's Classroom Edit display name

  • Hazel Avenue Elementary School
  • West Orange, NJ
  • More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

  • Monthly
  • One-time

We'll charge your card today and send Ms. Nigro a DonorsChoose gift card she can use on her classroom projects. Starting next month, we'll charge your card and send her a DonorsChoose gift card on the 17th of every month.

Edit or cancel anytime.

cancel

Support Ms. Nigro's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

  • Monthly
  • One-time

We'll charge your card today and send Ms. Nigro a DonorsChoose gift card she can use on her classroom projects. Starting next month, we'll charge your card and send her a DonorsChoose gift card on the 17th of every month.

Edit or cancel anytime.

Give to a project to support this classroom.

Your custom url is https://www.donorschoose.org/ms-nigro

View your stats
Track donations »
Edit
Two years ago my 4th-grade teaching role transitioned from a general education elementary role, I taught every subject, to the departmentalized model. This new model allows me to focus on providing a greater level of expertise and helps students develop a stronger number sense. While the departmentalization model lends itself to a cooperative student learning approach and differentiation, my students are stuck using "traditional" old school single student desks. Students often have a difficult time maneuvering their bodies while working in groups or following my movements as I bounce around the classroom. I would love to start integrating more flexible desk options. I feel flexible, mobile desks will help my math students quickly and easily pair up and work in small groups. My own personal experience as a reformed "math-hater" drives me to provide the best possible experience for my students. When I was in fourth grade, I had a very difficult time in math class. I remember my math teacher getting upset with me because I had a difficult time grasping concepts. My inability to quickly understand clearly upset her. After working with me for awhile, I recall her saying, “There’s nothing more I can do. You’re just not good at math.” Her comments sparked my dislike of math and problem-solving and my insecurity in the subject matter. I struggled with math throughout the rest of my elementary, middle and high school years. I was always second guessing myself and insecure about sharing my answers or work. Because I always doubted myself, it was hard for me to develop my mathematical intelligence. I finally had a crystallizing experience in college. Most of my math teachers lectured, believed in skill and drill and rarely encouraged collaboration and discussion. I know my students will benefit from collaborative student desks!

About my class

Two years ago my 4th-grade teaching role transitioned from a general education elementary role, I taught every subject, to the departmentalized model. This new model allows me to focus on providing a greater level of expertise and helps students develop a stronger number sense. While the departmentalization model lends itself to a cooperative student learning approach and differentiation, my students are stuck using "traditional" old school single student desks. Students often have a difficult time maneuvering their bodies while working in groups or following my movements as I bounce around the classroom. I would love to start integrating more flexible desk options. I feel flexible, mobile desks will help my math students quickly and easily pair up and work in small groups. My own personal experience as a reformed "math-hater" drives me to provide the best possible experience for my students. When I was in fourth grade, I had a very difficult time in math class. I remember my math teacher getting upset with me because I had a difficult time grasping concepts. My inability to quickly understand clearly upset her. After working with me for awhile, I recall her saying, “There’s nothing more I can do. You’re just not good at math.” Her comments sparked my dislike of math and problem-solving and my insecurity in the subject matter. I struggled with math throughout the rest of my elementary, middle and high school years. I was always second guessing myself and insecure about sharing my answers or work. Because I always doubted myself, it was hard for me to develop my mathematical intelligence. I finally had a crystallizing experience in college. Most of my math teachers lectured, believed in skill and drill and rarely encouraged collaboration and discussion. I know my students will benefit from collaborative student desks!

Read more

About my class

Read more
{"followTeacherId":5201287,"teacherId":5201287,"teacherName":"Ms. Nigro","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5201287_272x272.png?width=136&height=136&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1519528518772","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"vanityURL":"ms-nigro","teacherChallengeId":21145798,"followAbout":"Ms. Nigro's projects","teacherVerify":1506180835,"teacherNameEncoded":"Ms. Nigro","vanityType":"teacher","teacherPageInfo":{"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"teacherHasClassroomDescription":true,"teacherClassroomDescription":"","teacherProfileURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/ms-nigro","tafURL":"https://secure.donorschoose.org/donors/share_teacher_profile.html?teacher=5201287","stats":{"numActiveProjects":2,"numFundedProjects":14,"numSupporters":62},"classroomPhotoPendingScreening":false,"showEssentialsListCard":true,"teacherNamePossessive":"Ms. Nigro's","essentialsTopItemSummary":"erasers","essentialsTopItemImageUrl":"/images/essentialslist/supplies/erasers.jpg","essentialsTopItemPrice":10.65,"essentialsListLength":7,"essentialsListUrl":"https://www.donorschoose.org//donors/essentials-list.html?teacherId=5201287","state":"NJ","stateFullName":"New Jersey","city":"West Orange"}}
Supporting teachers and students since 2000

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America create classroom project requests, and you can give any amount to the project that inspires you.

We've earned the highest possible ratings from Better Business Bureau, Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, and Guidestar.