For the vast majority of students at Jordan High School in Watts (Los Angeles,CA), college is an unknown ideal. When you ask one of my students what he or she intends to do after high school, the response is consistently accompanied by an innocent look of surprise at the assumption he or she will actually graduate. They definitely understand the concept, but many of these underprivileged African American and Latino students have never believed college could be right for them. If they have decided they want to go to college, the "how" is completely lacking. As most of these students would be the first in their families to go to college, parental involvement, while not lacking, is simply inadequate to provide the necessary guidance.
I am an Algebra teacher, but more than that, I am a primary influence in my students' lives. I am here not only to educate, but to inspire. My children deserve every opportunity I had and much, much more. With the creation of a College & Career Corner titled "Where are you going next?", the many post-high school opportunities available for students will be illuminated. I hope for it to be filled with reference materials, compelling statistics, and inspiring quotes and photos. My door is open 45 minutes before school starts and for 2 hours after it ends; "What Next?" workshops will be held outside of regular class hours to develop students' interests, applications, and essays. I will serve as a sound-board for my students ideas and assist in as many ways as possible, but I can not provide the best information without access to the best resources.
Creating a library of reference materials will open many doors for these motivated students. Working together, we can change the life path of over a hundred students each year. There is a 7 in 10 chance that a young black man living in Watts neighborhood is unemployed or in prison; you can help my students beat these odds.
Nearly all 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
I'll Find a Way or Make One: A Tribute to Historically Black Colleges and Universities Dwayne Ashley, Juan Williams, Shawn Rhea, Ed Bradley (Introduction)
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Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities Walter M. Kimbrough
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Fiske Guide to Getting into the Right College Edward Fiske, Bruce Hammond
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The College Board Guide to Getting Financial Aid 2008 College Board
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The College Board Scholarship Handbook 2008 The College Board
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The Everything College Major Test Book: 10 Tests to Help You Choose the Major That is Right For You Burton Nadler
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Fiske: What to Do When for College, 2006-2007: A Student and Parent's Guide to Deadlines, Planning and the Last Two Years of High School Edward B. Fiske, Bruce G. Hammond
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The Insider's Guide to the Colleges 2007: Students on Campus Tell You What You Really Want to Know Yale Daily News Staff
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Fiske Guide to Colleges 2007 Edward B. Fiske, With Robert Logue, With Fiske Guide to Colleges Staff
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The College Board Book of Majors College Board Staff
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Materials cost
$401.52
Vendor shipping charges
$40.15
Sales tax
$29.11
3rd party payment processing fee
$10.04
Fulfillment labor & materials
$17.00
Total project cost
$497.82
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$109.28
Total project goal
$607.10
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$607.10
3 Donors
-$547.35
Donations toward project cost
-$469.00
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. S. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.