Half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
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"No, you can't use your cell phone for this class." I start each year off with that sentence. Then I explain to them the difference between the cameras we use and the cell phone. I've been teaching here for three years and we are down to our last two class cameras for loaning to students. We just can't afford new replacements.
My school is located on an island in the middle of a river in Florida. The students here come from, basically, two worlds -- the haves, of which there are few, and the have-nots. The students who take my photography courses are looking for a way to express themselves and to tell the story of how they see the world. Photography is the bridge between drama, music, and drawing. Many of my students don't have the confidence for drama, the talent for music or the fine motor skills and patience for drawing or pottery. Instead, they hide behind a camera or cell phone and take photos of what they find is beautiful or interesting.
About my class
"No, you can't use your cell phone for this class." I start each year off with that sentence. Then I explain to them the difference between the cameras we use and the cell phone. I've been teaching here for three years and we are down to our last two class cameras for loaning to students. We just can't afford new replacements.
My school is located on an island in the middle of a river in Florida. The students here come from, basically, two worlds -- the haves, of which there are few, and the have-nots. The students who take my photography courses are looking for a way to express themselves and to tell the story of how they see the world. Photography is the bridge between drama, music, and drawing. Many of my students don't have the confidence for drama, the talent for music or the fine motor skills and patience for drawing or pottery. Instead, they hide behind a camera or cell phone and take photos of what they find is beautiful or interesting.