Journalism Isn't Dead : Engaging in Woke Literacy

Verified Non-Profit

Verified Non-Profit

The Description

With the current social political climate, the threat of "Fake News" and the era of Woke-ness, it is imperative that the next generation is equipped to research, discuss, digest and disseminate qualitative new media. 
 
As a Special Education teacher at Mastery Charter Schools- Shoemaker Campus, I serve lower income Black and Brown high school students in Philadelphia. Many of my students have learning, emotional and cognitive disabilities. These students are 2 to 4 grade levels behind their white peers in literacy. Additionally, they often struggle to recognize primary sources, reliable research, op-eds versus fact based information. Furthermore, in the age of social media and the effects that is have on the news landscape, it is the responsibility of educators to prepare students to navigate a world where constituents derive belief systems in a soundbite. 
 
Students will be taught how to research, interview and write articles for the paper. Additionally, students will learn computer literacy, Photoshop and In Design programs. Furthermore, students will utilize social media outlets to create an online presence for the school. All of these efforts will be in hopes of creating a space for students to becomes culturally and politically aware. Funds raised will go towards three Mac desktop computers, Adobe Creative Cloud Student/Teacher Edition, a professional DSLR camera and a printer.
 
The statistics do not lie. Lower Income communities have less resources and less opportunities for the people who inhabit them. Zip codes should not define educational outcomes. The time could not be more crucial for students to become aware of and  engage in the social political climate that creates real systemic barriers for people of color. 
 
Philadelphia is the bedrock of social change as it is the birthplace of of nation's creed :We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." My students are eager to engage in the communities around them and it is my responsibility as their teacher to adhere to those needs and provide the tools. I am eager to see the world that they shape and I hope you are too. 

Best Buy Custom Package

Asus - Flip 2-in-1 10.1" Touch-Screen Chromebook - Rockchip Cortex - 4GB Memory - 16GB Flash Memory - Silver

$293.99

Total Amount

$317.99 (includes shipping & tax)

Here is the breakdown of our goal of $328.00 (rounded up to the nearest dollar) for Best Buy's Package

Best Buy Technology Package (x1) $317.99
WePay payment processing fee $9.83
Total goal amount $328.00 (rounded up to the nearest dollar)

Back Up Plan

If we do not reach our goal I will purchase, we will continue to fundraise in the community and work with what we have.

Fundraiser Updates (1)

We Did it!

November 3, 2017

All of your donations helped supply technology to my students to create the first issue of the newspaper, The Paw Print!

Thank you so much for all of your support!!! Woke Literacy is real!! 

Comments (1)

Loli Formoso July 19, 2017

I really enjoyed reading about your program. When you were in high school I always knew you would do amazing things to better our universe! I'm ecstatic to see how you are impacting young lives in such a meaningful way. Keep up the amazing work!

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About the Creator

Special Educator in Philadelphia, PA.

Investments (11)

$25

Anonymous

8 years ago

$26

Kim Gilmore

8 years ago

$26

Rose Dickerson

8 years ago

$21

Erica Smith

8 years ago

$52

Anonymous

8 years ago

$50

Anonymous

8 years ago

$25

Matthew Cherry

8 years ago

$52

Anonymous

8 years ago

$10

Anonymous

8 years ago

$19

Sarah Richman

8 years ago

$26

Loli Formoso

8 years ago