Mission HS Physics Classroom!

My name is Rachel and I am starting my first year as a full time physics teacher at Mission High School- a large public high school in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco. While I’m so excited to work with the students here, I am starting my classroom from scratch. The district and school can’t provide many basic materials, and most of my students do not have the resources to buy them for themselves.

Most of my students are Latino and almost all qualify for free and reduced lunch. As a new teacher with an empty classroom, empty shelves and empty desks, I want to be able to provide my students with the tools they need to succeed in physics and to make the classroom into a space where they feel like they can belong and learn. They deserve to have a classroom that feels safe and comfortable, providing shelter from any outside circumstances and struggles. There are probably a million things I haven’t anticipated that I will need to buy, but they will definitely need basics like notebooks, pencils, rulers, binders, calculators, first-aid kits, etc.

I know that I am asking for a substantial amount, but my students deserve to learn and grow in the best possible environment with all the necessary resources. We all thank you in advance for your help and support, we truly appreciate it! It makes ALL the difference.