United Way’s Make Your Mark program has a profound impact on local teachers, students, and the community. Since 2016, Make Your Mark has helped teachers at over 140 schools across the Alberta Capital Region educate students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 about social issues and empowering them to become changemakers who can make a difference in their own community.  

Through student-led Make Your Mark projects, kids get a hands-on opportunity to learn about some of the intersecting challenges facing vulnerable people. And with guidance and funding of up to $1,000 from United Way, students make their projects a reality. 

Anya Del Fabbro, a dedicated grade 4 teacher from A. Blair McPherson School, shared with us how Make Your Mark transformed her students and classroom culture this past school year. Their project focused on enhancing the love of literacy and numeracy among vulnerable children by providing engaging resources like math games, books, journals, and writing tools, all aimed at supporting their academic success.  

How has the Make Your Mark program affected your students and classroom environment? 

Make Your Mark has given my students a sense of independence and ownership in their learning. They’ve developed valuable life skills such as organization, time management, and accountability. Plus, it’s created a positive classroom culture where everyone feels valued and can contribute to our community. 

Teaching is a famously busy profession. How did you fit Make Your Mark into your lesson plan? 

We held weekly meetings and brainstorming sessions. I introduced various literature, infographics, videos, and guest experts to spark curiosity. We integrated curriculum-based health links, language arts outcomes, math skills, and connections to art and social studies.  Make Your Mark seamlessly blended into my teaching plan! 

Why do you believe it’s important for students to engage in community and social justice projects? 

Community and social justice projects help students develop empathy, critical thinking, and a sense of responsibility towards others. They gained a deeper understanding of social issues and learned to be active citizens. This project allowed all my students to participate and feel successful in their own unique way while providing endless possibilities for engagement. 

In what ways do you think Make Your Mark benefits the broader community? 

Our classroom’s project benefited the community by sparking a love of reading, supporting literacy, and supporting students who don’t have access to library books. It also built a stronger community within our classroom. My students created lasting memories that they continue to cherish and talk about.  

How do you think participating in the program has influenced your teaching approach or philosophy? 

Make Your Mark has deepened my inquiry process with students, connected the curriculum to real-world problems, and fostered core beliefs of community and innovation. It has brought a sense of belonging and pride, teaching students that their small actions can make a big impact. 

What would you tell fellow teachers who haven’t participated in Make Your Mark? 

If you want to make a real difference in our community by helping those in need, then I encourage you to join Make Your Mark. It builds empathy, compassion, and social responsibility in students while creating a more inclusive and equitable community. Plus, it ties seamlessly with various curriculum areas, offering meaningful learning experiences that students will remember for a lifetime!