Tell us the teacher you want to support

Pamela Ray

I teach in an elementary school which has a 97% free lunch rate. Most students are from single-parent homes whose main income is social subsidy income. Therefore, there are many students who lack the resources afforded many others in surrounding communities. I try to close the gap by making many materials and resources available to my students in the classroom. This is very expensive and impossible to do to the degree I want due to state and federal budget cuts. I have such a range of ability and interests within my classroom community that it takes alot of planning and finacial resources that I don`t always have. The differentiation of the curricum I need to provide to make sure `no child is left behind` would require more technology resources, manipulatives, new rugs for workspaces, dry-erase markers and erasers, and printer ink. Of course, the usual constuction paper, pencils and notebooks are always needed. Any level of assistance would be gratefully appreciated.