A Lompoc High School teacher is using the online education charity donorschoose.org to encourage people to help provide his students with visual arts materials and resources.
Eleventh-grade teacher Andy Newbre recently created his project, titled “Digital Videography,” on the website.
“I started my digital photography/videography program three years ago and it has blossomed to include four classes and 160 students,” Newbre wrote on the website. “Because of the popularity of this class, we need more cameras so all students have access to the supplies that they need to complete their projects.”
The new equipment will enable the students to expand their creativity and better prepare them for college-level work, according to a release from donorschoose.org.
In a recent interview with the Sun, Newbre said his project has been completely funded.
“We’re going to [use the money] to make educational videos that are fun,” he said. “The first one is for a math teacher who wants raps about math, and the other one is for the foods teacher who wants one of her students preparing food.”
Newbre is one of thousands of teachers across the country turning to donorschoose.org to get learning materials.
“Too often, teachers lack critical resources in their classrooms—and in many instances they spend their own money trying to provide for their students,” Charles Best, donorschoose.org founder and CEO, said in the release. “Unfortunately, even hundreds of dollars out of pocket each year doesn’t necessarily cover the costs of what’s needed. That’s where concerned citizens come in; anyone, regardless of means, can donate directly to project requests like Mr. Newbre’s at donorschoose.org.”
Once a project is completely funded, a team at donorschoose.org will purchase the requested materials and send them to the teacher. All donors will receive photos of the project taking place, a thank-you letter from the teacher, and a cost report showing how each dollar was spent. Donors who give more than $100 will also receive hand-written thank-you letters from the students.
To view and donate to a project, visit donorschoose.org. m
School Scene is compiled by News Editor Amy Asman. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 3, 2009.
