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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Mirkovich-Smith from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA is requesting technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Mirkovich-Smith is requesting

Help 5th Grade Rock!

My students need a Macbook Pro , iPad, and iPod Nano.

  • $2,516 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Mirkovich-Smith for her next project!

Help Mrs. Mirkovich-Smith

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Mirkovich-Smith for her next project!

My Students

"Where words fail, music speaks." - Hans Christian Andersen So often the voices of students that struggle in reading and math are silenced by their inability and fears. The beauty of music is that through instruments and song, every child can have a voice that is unique, appreciated, and heard.

Our students at my school come from a diverse background.

We are a primarily Hispanic school with students that have parents with a limited education background. Our students are a true cultural melting pot, coming from several different backgrounds, blending to one beautiful campus of learners. We celebrate the diversity at my school, and use their differences as a means to teach the value of cultures, customs, and traditions through dance and song of many nations. My school receives very little funding, because, despite these challenges, are students have been very successful in standardized testing in the past. We pride ourselves in our high academic expectations, and have learned to be creative in obtaining funds to enrich our students' lives. Although our funding may be minimal, we as a school finds ways to continue to enrich our students learning opportunities through the arts.

My Project

The resources I am asking for would help compliment the current music program that I am already teaching. I am part of a grant known as "Modern Band," where the focus is to teach approximation in the playing of instruments, rather than perfection. This encourages students to feel proud about learning to play the basics of their instruments. I have written grants in the past and now am proud to say that I have an instrument for every child in my music classroom. Each week, we devote time learning how to play the acoustic guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums. By having an iPod Nano, I would be able to share music from my vast library. The iPad and MacBook Pro would allow the opportunity for students to edit, create, or write their own music; whether in small group or as individuals. It would also allow me to display songs and music charts for the entire class to utilize. I have been borrowing a computer, iPad and iPod to date, and it would be wonderful to have one for our "Modern Band" class alone.

Music speaks to the masses.

My students vary greatly in their academic abilities. It's a beautiful thing to see a struggling child gain new confidence when allowed to shine in their musical ability. By allowing students access to the arts, specifically music, all students can find their own joy in their progress and improved ability. Their sheer joy and enthusiasm for learning new strings, then chords, then songs validates the importance of keeping music as part of our academic curriculum.

Mrs. Mirkovich-Smith Crestwood Steam Magnet School Grades 3-5

Equity Focus

At this school, more than 50% of students are Black, Latino, and/or Native American, and more than 50% come from low-income households. Learn how your donation to this school supports a more equitable education.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Mrs. Mirkovich-Smith

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA View local requests

More than three‑quarters 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

30 students impacted 1donor

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Apple® - MacBook Pro with Retina display - 13.3'Display - 8GB Memory - 128GB Flash Storage • Best Buy for Business $1,234.99 1 $1,234.99
Apple® iPad® with Retina display Wi-Fi + Cellular - 4th generation - tablet - iOS 6 - 16 GB - 9.7' - 3G, 4G - Sprint • Best Buy for Business $529.99 1 $529.99
Apple® iPod® nano - digital player • Best Buy for Business $139.99 1 $139.99

Materials cost

$1,904.97

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $174.30

3rd party payment processing fee

$28.57

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$2,137.84

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$377.27

Total project goal

$2,515.11

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $2,515.11

1 Donor

-$2,515.11

Donations toward project cost

-$2,137.84

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$377.27

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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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 Mrs. Mirkovich-Smith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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