As a teacher in the LAUSD school system, you never know who will walk through your doors. You spend the summer planning rigorous and engaging lessons; you feel hopeful for the inner determination of new students; you feel excited about trying new strategies; and most of all, you feel prepared. Then, they walk in and its triage mode. Above all, many seem to have an aversion to writing due to their own turbulent experiences navigating the writing process. My goal is always to guide them to become confident writers.
When I meet my students, I am open to learning about them and attempt to bring what interests them into the classroom to deepen their understanding of writing and the world around them.
This is a key strategy that has become a cornerstone of my approach to teaching. Due to my students’ varied experiences and abilities, I draw upon universal themes and weave them into writing lessons that truly matter and impact my students’ lives.
My Project
At my school, I am a co-lead on the Curriculum and Professional Development Subcommittee of the African American Student Support Committee. Our mission is to research effective pedagogy and curriculum resources that facilitate African American student success. The subcommittee will also draw on resources provided by the Academic English Mastery Program (AEMP).
These resources will inform curriculum, and provide culturally and linguistically responsive teaching and learning strategies that support academic proficiency and college readiness.
The concepts and strategies compiled by the subcommittee will be archived as a resource for the school community and will be available for extended staff professional development. One of the books we plan to introduce as core literature is "Just Mercy". Students who have passionately expressed the need for more culturally relevant literature in their English classes will finally have that chance through the donation of these books.
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
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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. Young and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
