Adopt A Classroom - Support America's Teachers

project id # FR2YKU

I spend an awful lot of time on the computer. I read mail, play games, research stuff, I send photos and make new friends.

I have decided to take a small amount of my time and dedicate it to creating awareness to ongoing internet based charity events, petitions, and civil groups that could use your support.

What I have put together here - and will continue to create, are links to these organizations that YOU can help to support - with just a CLICK!

I was amazed and pleasantly surprised to see how easy it had become to lend a helping hand.

I will go into further detail about this first project in just a minute.

First, I'd like to explain my philosophy to you.

My primary focuses will be on "Home" based issues. Issues that that effect us here in the United States. I am a firm believer that CHARITY starts at home.

From time to tume I will offer other world cause issue links.

While I invite friends to share their stories of postive experiences with helping others - or even a suggestion on which cause / charity / event could use support - I am not interested in debating the pros and cons of a specific organization.

The Adopt A Classroom: Support America's Teachers Project is my first attempt at bettering my world and my daughters world.

American Express invited people to come together to share ideas for projects that can make a difference in the world. Then, it was up to the individuals to get support and ultimately vote on which projects get $2.5 million in funding from American Express.

This particular project attracted me for many reasons, especially because it included both the Education AND the Community Development categories.

The Project:
Adopt A Classroom: Support America's Teacher's - Submitted by CM 675151 From Florida
Teacher success is vital to the success of our children and our schools. In fact, a teacher can influence up to 3,000 children in a lifetime. Despite the critical role teachers play, they lack appropropriate recognition and support. Teachers spend $1,200 of their own money each year just to meet basic classroom needs. 50 % of teachers leave the profession within (5) five years. Teachers need help. Adopt a classroom. Support America's Teachers.

The Problem Being Addressed:
Teacher success is a critiacl facot in raising student achievement, but teachers face many challenges that undermine the effectiveness and morale and ultimately student success. 50 % of teachers leave the profession within (5) five years and site lack of community support as a leading reason. Teaching currently ranks on the bottom of planned career choices. 66 % of the public say their public school systems have a hard time keeping good teachers.

The Impact the Project Will Have:
Empirical evidence supports that teacher morale and ability to implement hands-on learning activities in the classroom significantly impact student achievement. By adopting classrooms, donors provide teachers with critical funding to purchase hands on learning resources that make for a more encouraging and effective classroom learning environment. Additionally, teachers benefit from the ongoing interaction with a member of the community that has a vested interest in their success.

His Inspiration:
(I) used to be a corporate attorney. While practicing, (I) mentored a child in a nearby school. It was during my experiences in school that I witnessed firsthand the lack of resources in the classroom and the amount the teacher spent purchasing supplies and resources. (I) also saw how much impact a teacher can have on her eager students. America needs an effective channel to support teachers. If we each adopt one classroom, collectively the impact would be monumental.

See Note Below: Regarding Final Vote for Top 25 Projects - Ending September 29th!!!

If OUR project makes it - I will let you know and then we will have to vote it into the Top 5!

We have less than 10 days to show our support. Your simple action COULD help OUR CHILDREN - OUR SCHOOLS - OUR TEACHERS - and OUR CLASSROOMS!!!

I picked this project as my first because of it's impending deadline and it's ease to set up for my first project!

Ultimately, my goal as a "BlOGGER" and as a member of Facebook is to make a difference.

I would GREATLY appreciate any support you could offer me. PLEASE refer your friends to this page! Bookmark me!

I will also be updating this page with other info as far as a Facebook page that I am attempting to create outlining the same information - and a Facebook Group for this project.

If you have any questions, or would like me to contact you immediately, please write to me at: Chellise@live.com.

Thank you again, for being a wonderful friend - and a like minded person. The world needs more people like you.

NOTE : (ADDED 9/13/08) - Sadly this project did not get picked to go into the "Final Round" ~ However, Another VERY IMPORTANT Project did.

From American Express - Members Project at : www.membersproject.com/project/view/V8EWJV

HELP 100,000 CHILDREN THRIVE IN THE CLASSROOM

Where you grow up shouldn’t determine the quality of the education you receive. Unfortunately, where I live, and in urban and rural communities around the country, family income often determines a child’s educational opportunities. To help level the playing field, I propose giving 100,000 children in low-income communities the books, art supplies, technology, and other materials that they need for a rigorous education.
Each year, teachers spend $1 billion of their own money on pencils, paper, and other basics for their students. These teachers are forced to plan their lessons around a lack of classroom resources, and find it difficult to do projects that bring learning to life. My project will empower teachers to request the exact resources their students need to thrive in the classroom. Members Project funding would fulfill 4,000 classroom needs, benefiting 100,000 students!
Analyzing water samples in the Hudson River, visiting the Holocaust Memorial Museum, reading and responding to Othello – these are just 3 examples of 4,000 teacher requests that this project would bring to life. The result: teachers from New Orleans to Baltimore, from Camden to Houston, would be free to dream for their classrooms and to teach based on the needs of their students.
As a first-generation college student born in the Bronx, and as a former teacher in Baltimore, I believe in the American dream. But I’ve also seen that the American dream rests on educational opportunities and experiences which many children in this country do not yet have. My project is to provide 100,000 of these children with the materials and experiences they need for a great education and a bright future!

If you would like to vote for THIS project - please follow the updated link below: You MUST be an American Express cardmember to vote in this final vote.

The winning PROJECT gets $1.5 Million dollars in support.