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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman from Waukegan, IL is requesting professional development through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman is requesting
Professional development

Professional Development: The Key to Success

Teacher Professional Development: I need to attend a conference to learn new and effective teaching methods that are aligned with Common Core to better support my colleagues. <profdevpilot>

  • $750 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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

Help Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman

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

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

The most dangerous phrase in the language is "we've always done it this way." ~ Grace Hopper Teachers can only improve their teaching skills if they are willing to learn new and effective ways to instruct students. This conference will show me how to address the rigorous new standards of CCSS.

I am currently in my seventh year of teaching in an urban school district.

During those seven years I have earned my English as a Second Language endorsement, as well as, a Masters degree in reading. I am part of a technology group for my district that provides professional development opportunities for teachers. I am in my fifth season of volunteer coaching a running program for girls in third, fourth, and fifth grade. I am also a Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois. Majority of my career I have spent teaching fifth grade reading, writing, and language arts. This year I took on the position as the Superintendent Reading Support Teacher. I pull out students four days a week to work on guided reading to improve their fluency and comprehension. I work with first, second, third, fourth, and fifth graders. One day a week I go into classrooms to work directly with teachers. I co-teach lessons, model lessons, assist with technology, and help prepare students for state assessments.

My Project

As a Reading Support Teacher, it is my job to assist teachers in implementing the Common Core State Standards effectively and efficiently. Since these standards are new, most teachers are struggling with the rigor that is required at their grade level. I am sought out for help on a daily basis for lesson plans, assessments, and strategies. I want to be proactive and learn as much as I can so that I can help the teachers find the best way to tackle this new change. I have a great deal of experience in presenting and training teachers, which I would do with the information I learn at the conference. My main goal is to focus on the strands that my district has identified as high priorities: vocabulary, writing, and comprehending complex texts. My sessions at the conference will all focus on these three areas. I will learn as much as I can so that I can go back to my school and share what I learned. Therefore, what I learn will be passed on to the entire staff to benefit all the students.

This project goes beyond just my classroom.

I have a role in my building as a leader and in order to support my colleagues I need to know what is current in education. This conference is a valuable opportunity to learn about Common Core and how to address the standards in the classroom. By attending this conference I will be able to help every student in some way. I want to be able to share what I learned and have an open, honest discussion with my colleagues on how we can apply what I shared.

Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman John S Clark Elementary School Grades 3-5

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman

Waukegan, IL View local requests

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

300 students impacted 5donors

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See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Component Company Total
Activity International Literacy Association $598.00

Trip cost

$598.00

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.97

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$636.97

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$112.41

Total project goal

$749.38

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $749.38

1 Donor

-$50.00

Donations toward project cost

-$50.00

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$0.00

Matching donations from our partners

-$690.56

Match offers toward project cost

-$586.98

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$103.58

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$8.82

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

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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. Pociecha-Sparkman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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