Report Cards on the Table

The desks in my classroom are broken. Actually, the desks at my school are broken. It is such an issue that when a teacher resigns or retires from the school, many teachers will pillage the classroom for any signs of good desks. One mark of a good desk is when the chair screws are only sticking halfway out of the chair rather than completely out. I've sent many students to the nurse's office for cuts and bleeding from chair screws.

The screws are just one of the issues with our current desks. Some of the other common issues I've had to deal with are: the backs are cracked and often pull out girls' hair; the tops of the desks fall off mid writing assignment because the screws break, or the top was just adhered on from years of gathered gum; the laminate top is breaking off of the desk and creates an unleveled writing surface. These broken desks send the wrong message to our students. These broken desks scream broken education, and I'm done screaming at these broken desks. 

I work hard to be the best teacher that I can be. I keep up on modern teaching techniques to engage students; I work hard to stay current in my field of focus; and I do my best to supplement my students and their parents with what they need to be successful in the classroom community. This year alone I've spent about $700 in total on supplies, organizational items, and decor.

As hard as I work, especially on creating a positive classroom space, I know that there are still things that need to be bought, made, and fixed--I just don’t have the money to make my classroom what it needs to be. I am seeking $2,000 to purchase 6, 48" round activity tables to replace the broken desks in my classroom. This will provide a better space for collaboration and project based leaning; the tables will last longer than the desks, but most importantly, they will keep our students safe.