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The fourth grade teacher at PS 9 Ryer Elementary School started a fundraiser over the summer with the goal of equipping all her students with a Chromebook.
Related: Garnerville Woman Aims To Close Digital Divide With Laptops
So far, $1,800 has been raised. With it Garabito bought five Chromebooks and five sets of headphones.
"This will help the students receive instruction that is tailored to them. Most of my students are on different reading levels and I will be able to use resources like Moyon and i-Ready to really focus on their different needs," she said.
Her objective is to level the education field through technology and used crowdfunding to purchase the computers, Garabito told Daily Voice.
She wanted to sure her fourth graders have the same advantages as peers in wealthier districts and access to technology is a start, Garabito said.
"When I started (teaching in the Bronx) I realized students there did not have the access to technology like they do in North Rockland," Garabito said, noting she was a Rockland County substitute teacher before heading to PS 9.
Almost all of Garabito's students don't have a computer at home or access to WiFi, she said.
"This makes it difficult to assign projects or homework that requires researching or Internet access. If I had the laptops available in my classroom, students would learn to research and use the Internet in a positive way," she said.
If Garabito has her way, all kids in her classroom will have a laptop, something she regards as a key piece of learning that would help close the digital gap in the Bronx.
She's hoping through her online fundraiser on DonorsChoose.org, she'll raise enough money to buy Acer Chromebook laptops for all of her students at PS 9 Ryer Avenue Elementary School.
To find out more about the Chromebook fundraiser or make a contribution, visit www.donorschoose.org/Mrs.Garabito.
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