DEAR BLACK YOUTH OF AMERICA,

You are magic.  And here are some words from a teacher who loves you — even though he doesn’t know you — and who wants to share some thoughts with you, as we see protests happening all across America.

Thank you, Mr. Donovan, for this beautiful video!

Sending love,

the Envision Community

Our teachers are a resourceful bunch: they’re always planning creative and innovative ways to bring learning alive for their students. The majority of Envision students are first-generation students of color who are from low-income communities, and our state funding doesn’t cover nearly enough to give them the education they deserve. Our teachers are responding by coming up with low-cost ideas to provide enrichment that wealthier schools take for granted. YOU CAN HELP: scroll through the campaigns below, click on the links to learn more, share with your networks, and GIVE some bills to the cause that speaks to you. Our students thank you!

Campaign from Ms. Ray’Von and Ms. Walker, Envision Academy in Oakland

Campaign from Mx. L at City Arts & Technology High School in San Francisco

Mx. L has been building a classroom library for CAT students over the last couple of years, and we’re back to ask for three more great titles: three copies of The Toll, Queer: A Graphic History, and Internment.  The whole point of this project is to get as many students as possible reading the books they want to read. .

Campaign from Ms. Miranda at Impact Academy in Hayward

Ms. Miranda is creating a welcoming, comfortable space for our Hayward students!  “I want the Learning Center (LC) to be a place where students can come to relax and get some work done. The LC is open every day after school, the students have been in hard chairs all day and they want to spread out while they do their homework. We are connected to the library, so I would love for students to grab a book and come to the LC for some quiet time, or to research for a paper. The LC is for everyone!”  Your donation will help Ms. Miranda purchase quality, comfortable furniture and create a better learning environment.  .

A teacher talks about the Envision community

What is a favorite project you’ve done with your students?

I really like the project that my Pre-Calculus class worked on this past Spring. This was created by Keesha at Impact Academy, and it’s called “Modeling Real World Data.” Student are either researching online or conducting experiments about two different variables that they are interested in. After collecting the data, they calculate different regression models (linear, quadratic, and exponential) to see which model best fits their data, and also to see if the two variables have any correlation. I really enjoy doing this project because students develop a lot of ownership in the process, and decide what they want to collect data on. This project teaches students how to research, and how to read and graph their data, using content they are already interested in.

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Tommy is another of the fabulous teachers at our San Francisco school, City Arts & Technology High School.  Visit the to learn more about enrolling, and visit our Careers page to learn more about joining Tommy and becoming an Envision teacher.

A recent note, from Envision CEO Gia Truong to our teachers and school leaders:

DEAR ENVISION FAMILY,

In my work, I have the privilege of talking to people from all over the country about our schools and students.  When I talk about the impact we are having for low-income, First Gen students, I always credit the strong relationships that we strive to build in our schools — because we all know that a great education starts when students feel a sense of belonging and an environment of trust and care.

You should know that our students feel all of that and more.  When our students are asked what makes their schools special, they consistently mention the teachers and school leaders who support them.  Here’s some of what they have said this past year:

• My favorite part of City Arts & Tech is the connectivity between teachers and students. (Matt)
• At Envision Academy, it’s all about how our teachers address individual needs.  They make sure everyone understands; they don’t leave anyone behind. (Michala)
• I like how Impact Academy teachers push you to produce your best work and strive for better. (Sam)
• The admin here at City Arts & Tech, they’re really great. They stop by, take time out of their day to actually talk to students�����Ի� engage with students. (Mariah)
• My Envision Academy teachers got to know me better than teachers at my other school, and they helped me grow to be a more responsible student. (Samuel)
• My favorite thing about Impact Academy is the family atmosphere we have here.  Impact teachers have taught me how to voice my opinion and be a leader. (Elizabeth)

Time and time again, your students cite your influence in their lives as making the biggest difference in their educational journey.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being those kinds of teachers and school leaders to our students.  There are not enough ways to describe the important impact you are having, but their voices come close!

In Community,

Gia

On a favorite classroom project����

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