New Classroom Supplies

Family and friends, many of you know that I'm nearing the end of my teacher residency year through Project Inspire here in Chattanooga. I'm so excited to start my new position as the STEM teacher at Orchard Knob Middle School! My classroom is a digital fabrication lab (you can read more about it here: https://www.vwelab.org/about) where students will engage in activity and project based learning throughout the semester. 

Orchard Knob Middle School is a title 1 school, meaning there is a large concentration of low-income students. It is also listed as a priority school in the state of TN, meaning success rate is in the bottom five percent of their school pooI. In 2017, 84.4% of the student population were considered "economically disadvantaged", though based on free and reduced lunch, that number is much higher. In addition to the academic needs of the students, a larger, overarching need is social and emotional support. 

I want to be able to take care of my students, academically and emotionally. In order to do this well, I need proper supplies and a classroom that allows students to feel taken care of, loved and respected. While I have a good amount of equipment, thanks to the Volkswagen eLab, the classroom walls are bare, I have no desk or filing options and the only seating options for students are tall stools. Most of the supply costs will fall on me as the classroom teacher.

Some of the supplies I will need throughout the year include student notebooks, flip charts, expo markers, post-it notes, paper filing options, paper, desk organizers, grade books, pens and pencils, snacks, tissues, germ-x, band-aids. 

In addition to the basics, a rug or two, curtains, lighting, a teacher desk, bean-bags (or other flexible seating options), a mini-fridge, etc. would be immensely helpful. 

Much of my student population is dealing with chronic trauma and simple solutions such as available snacks and having a "cool-down" area can have a huge impact. If you have the means and would like to help, any and all donations would be greatly appreciated and put to good use! I do believe that education can positively impact an individual's trajectory in life and my goal is to give my students the best educational experience possible. 

Thanks, 

Haley