After completing Teach for America’s - 2017 Tulsa Institute I will be responsible for my very own classroom! I will be teaching 10th grade biology at U.S. Grant High School on the South side of Oklahoma City. (Go Generals!) I can't wait to decorate and meet my students and their families. One of the biggest hurdles that students in high need schools face is a lack of the necessary materials that are needed daily. It makes it infinitely more difficult for students to take part in activities and classwork when they do not have basic supplies. Oklahoma recently ranked 47th in the U.S. on an annual educational quality ranking. This is mainly due to a severe teacher shortage and severe budget cuts.

To get the year started off right, I will use the funds that I raise to purchase the startup supplies needed to welcome my students to a classroom that is clean and stocked full with materials. This will allow me to provide the required supplies to students that otherwise would not have them. Institute ends on Friday, July 21, then I have a week of professional development through TFA and my school, and I begin teaching Monday, August 1st! Because there is such a quick turnaround between Institute and the first day of school, anything you can contribute now will be immensely helpful as I navigate moving into an apartment, learning how to navigate my new school, and lesson planning in addition to setting up my classroom. Thank you so much in advance for supporting me and my students at the beginning of this exciting journey.

PledgeCents allows me to keep whatever I raise, so anything you can contribute really will make a difference for my first year. I want to make a great impression and a lasting impact on my first group of students and letting them know that they have a community that supports them both near and far will definitely get us on the right track. Here is a basic list of the materials that your generous investment will help provide for the students of my very first classroom:

• 3 Boxes of Paper (15 Reams) - $75.00
• 2 Boxes of Pencils (288 Count) - $40.00
• Kleenex (18 Pack) - $36.00
• Anchor Chart Paper (2 Pack) - $30.00
• Scotch Thermal Laminator - $29.00
• Hand Sanitizer (Pack of 2) - $28.00
• 12 Quart Stackable Storage (6 Pack) - $26.00
• Paper Towels (12 Rolls) - $24.00
• 2 Packs of Dry Erase Markers (32 Count) - $22.00
• 2 Packs of Ball-Point Pens (48 Count) - $22.00
• 2 Packs of Grading Pens (24 Count) - $22.00
• Broom with Dust Pan - $20.00
• Pack of Highlighters (50 Count) - $17.00
• 3 Packs of Erasers (36 Count) - $16.00
• Scotch Laminator Sheets (100 Pack) - $14.00
• 3x5 Index Cards (10 Packs) - $12.00
• 2 Packs of Sharpie Chart Markers (16 Count) - $12.00
• Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (3 Pack) - $10.00
• Swingline 3-Hole Punch - $10.00
• Post-it Notes (18 Pads) - $8.00
• Sharpie Permanent Marker (12 Count) - $7.00
• Paper Clips (450 Count) - $6.00
• Swingline Stapler - $6.00
• Binder Clips (30 Count) - $5.00
• Swingline Staples (5000 Count) - $3.00
• 100-Pack of Medium Nitrile Exam Gloves (Latex Rubber Free, Disposable) - $8.92
• 6-Pack of Clipboards - $14.95

Back Up Plan

If I do not meet my goal, I will purchase as many materials as possible. I will prioritize the materials that are most essential to students (pencils, paper, etc.) as they are the most important to ensuring that students can participate in daily lessons.