Irondequoit, N.Y. (WHAM) — Meet the students of Mrs. Gottfried’s class in West Irondequoit.
They’re all part of the Stand-Up project.
“So, this is my 11th year doing this project. So, goodness probably over 200 students,” said Jennifer Gottfried, fourth grader teacher.
First, the students identify an issue they care about.
“Like animals. I’m standing up for all animals,” said fourth grader Maira.
“I am standing up for students with disabilities. Especially students with learning disabilities who need extra help learning,” said sixth grader Adriana.
“We start off with those posters. Then, they create a Stand Up statement. It’s basically their ideas of what they want to do, they hook the audience by letting them know a, ‘Did You Know?’ statement, where they’re letting them know that [their topic] is pretty shocking, we have to do something about it,” said Gottfried.
The students then research their chosen topic and set clear goals for creating positive change in their community.
Fifth grader Jonas is working on a pancake breakfast to help people facing cancer.
“Some goes to cancer research, some goes to organizations to like help people,” said Jonas.
Maira hopes her project can help find adoptable pets forever homes.
“My end goal is to get lots of animals adopted and to really teach people how to take care of animals and get a bunch of donations,” said Maira.
Adriana was inspired by her aunt to stand up for people with disabilities.
“I have learned that’s what she would have wanted; other people to learn, to not treat people differently because of how they learn,” said Adriana.
For Mrs. Gottfried, it’s been a decade of inspiring her students, but also being inspired by them.
“I didn’t realize how powerful my voice could be and that at a young age, I can actually make the change that I wanted to see. Now I am living through my students that I teach to show them that they have a voice, they have power, and they can make change at a very young age,” said Gottfried.
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