RWE teacher earns student project donation

To recognize the entrepreneurial spirit driving teachers to meet their students’ distance learning needs at the end of last school year, SONIC® Drive-In matched all donations to DonorsChoose on Teacher Appreciation Day, giving Carbon Kennington, a teacher at Ralph Witters Elementary, $364.

Through Limeades for Learning®, $1 million was given to public school teacher requests across the country on Teacher Appreciation Day – Tuesday, May 5, 2020 – supporting their endeavors to provide students with essential education resources.

Kennington’s project was called A Little Less Sore, and A Little More Soar

Kennington presented the following information about his project:

Help me give my students a mat so they can have a comfortable surface to learn, read, and play.

My Students

My students come from a small rural town in the center of Wyoming. Though we come from a small place, I know my students are destined for great things. Their excitement and enthusiasm for learning is coupled with attention to detail and a desire for excellence.

That being said, each student is unique.

They each have different strengths, weaknesses, and personalities. However, all students contribute an integral part to our classroom.

I am so thankful to have the opportunity to be their teacher. They are truly amazing!

My Project

Oftentimes, we ask students to “sit on the floor” for various activities without taking into account how comfortable our students are. During one of our “book talks” a student was presenting a literary work, I decided to sit on the floor with the students. I soon found out part of the reason why students were moving and wiggling so much. The floor is definitely not a comfortable seating arrangement. It is difficult to maintain focus and enthusiasm when your body is aching. A small wrestling mat will allow my students to maintain focus throughout class meetings, instructional time, reading time, etc.

I know that students are more productive when they are comfortable.

I want to give my students the best opportunity to learn and grow.

This mat will provide a comfortable surface for many large group activities. In addition, the two sections of the mat can be used separately for small group activities. I know that it will make a big difference for my students in both comfort and the ability to stay focused on a lesson.

When Kennington found out he received the funds, he commented “Without a doubt, this wrestling mat is going to be the coolest thing in my classroom. I have so many ideas of how I am going to use this. One of the great things about the mat is I can use this for years to come. I can’t wait to send pictures and keep you updated with your generous contribution.”

Kennington was hired by Hot Springs County School District #1 in April and will begin teaching at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year.