A recent Classroom Grant awarded to Jane Becker, Tech & Living Teacher teacher at Bennington South Middle School, is enhancing student learning—one stitch at a time.
As student numbers and class sizes have grown, so has the demand for equipment in Becker’s Tech & Living classroom. Before receiving the grant, up to three students were often sharing a single sewing machine, making it difficult for all students to complete their projects within the short class periods offered in the hexter schedule. Thanks to the Foundation’s funding, three new Janome sewing machines were added, giving more students the opportunity to develop essential life skills through independent work.
“Having a 1:1 ratio of students to machines helps each learner take ownership of the full process,” Becker shared. “It holds them accountable for threading, sewing, and project completion—and makes a big difference for students with IEPs who sometimes need extra time or consistency.”
The impact of the new machines is already being felt. Becker notes that students across all learning levels are benefiting—not only during class time but even beyond the classroom. “I’ve had 7th and 8th graders stop in during SST to mend their own clothes using the skills they’ve learned,” she said. “They remember what they’ve been taught and can do it independently. That’s the goal!”
This grant funding is especially meaningful in light of rising costs for materials like food, lumber, and fabric, which strain the classroom budget. With the Foundation’s support, students can take home completed projects—and, more importantly, a sense of pride in what they’ve accomplished.
“Thank you for all you’ve given me in the short time I’ve been in Bennington,” Becker says, “This has helped both my high-achieving students who finish early and my Life Skills students. This inspires me to keep working to bring meaningful projects to my classroom!"
