In the Community – Anderson Intermediate School, Anderson, Indiana

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Black History monthThis month, the In the Community project chosen by Tim Cross, Business Development Manager, honors Black History month and shares the true stories of individuals who navigated around seemingly insurmountable barriers and challenges that were placed in their path to achieve equality. While there is still more ground to cover, these courageous stories continue to inspire others to this day by showing that with hard work and persistence, anyone can accomplish goals that may at first seem impossible.

Name and Location of School: Anderson Intermediate School, Anderson, Indiana

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Swartzbaugh

Grade Level: 6-8

Subject: Literacy/Special Needs

Project description: Stories of Overcoming: Books for Black History

Tell us about your project selection: “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” After invoking Dr. Seuss’s famous words, Ms. Swartzbaugh goes on to explain that her students have varying levels of English proficiency in reading and writing. They are not only striving to learn English but are also learning how to function and succeed in an English speaking public school, and embrace American culture. She says, “Our school is a low income/high poverty, urban, public, intermediate school. 100% of my students receive free breakfast and lunch each school day. My students strive to succeed, even when many odds are stacked against them . . . I want my students to see and learn about examples of strong and powerful people who have overcome obstacles and challenges. With these resources, my students will be able to research some influential Black Americans in history. These books will offer stories to my students of multiple African Americans who rose up for what they believed in, persevered when the odds were stacked against them, and pressed on.”

Why did you select this project?

There were several things about this project which really resonated with me. I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate Black History month than the vision of these eager students getting the chance to simultaneously improve their English proficiency, develop a lifelong love of books, and discover that they can overcome the overwhelming obstacles they face, as they read the inspiring stories of heroic men and women like Jesse Owens, Rosa Parks, Louis Armstrong, Maya Angelou, and Jackie Robinson.

If the teacher has contacted you since their project was funded, please share their comments:

I can not express how thankful I am for you and your belief and support in my students! Your donations mean so much to us! My students will be so excited to read these books and learn about strong, influential, and powerful people who overcame challenges and struggles. I can’t wait for them to embark on this journey of learning and discovering and to see their final projects presenting information about these strong Black Americans! We are so thankful and so excited!

With gratitude,
Ms. Swartzbaugh

How did it feel to be able to help fund this classroom’s project? It felt wonderful to be able to participate in this project. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know that our company supports the important work teachers do in classrooms all across the country, and to be able to share the gift of reading with others.


There are many more projects waiting for funding from generous individuals like yourself. Visit the DonorsChoose website to find a project that you feel is worthy of support.

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