Need in Deed transforms teaching and learning.
We do this by
- listening to what students tell us about the strengths and challenges of their communities;
- engaging students in learning that makes connections between the world they see around them, the issues they care about, and the skills and concepts of the school curriculum;
- supporting classroom educators in using effective teaching strategies; and
- bringing the city’s professionals and practitioners into the classroom experience.
Present in more than 100 classrooms across the city and serving 3,000 students in up to 60 schools annually, Need in Deed partners with committed educators who want their students to experience learning that has meaning and purpose. Through a process that starts with a community inventory in September and culminates in June with reflection on learning, students in our classrooms experience learning as connected to the world around them and themselves as effective actors in the world.
- Classroom teachers in the School District of Philadelphia voluntarily elect to affiliate with Need in Deed.
- Representatives of the city’s vast network of public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and higher education and health institutions voluntarily serve as classroom resources.
Measuring our impact
We follow best practice by contracting with an external evaluator, a specialist in public health and youth development, to conduct ongoing multiple qualitative and quantitative assessments.
Teacher Partners
Need in Deed teachers believe in students’ potential and the importance of student voice. They are part of a vibrant network of educators who are transforming their classroom practice.
Community Partners
Need in Deed’s community partners bring the “real world” into the classroom. Every year, across the city, individuals from local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and higher education and health institutions step into Need in Deed classrooms.
Student Projects
Need in Deed Students learn while making a difference in their communities. Every year, the students in Need in Deed classrooms tell us what community issues they care about and why. Below is a list of featured student projects.
Learning and Action during COVID-19 and Online Learning
Ziegler Students Help Their Community Stay Safe from Covid-19 What did they care about? Ms. Robert’s students began the year learning online. In spite of the challenges of not being in the same room they were excited to collaborate and explore social issues together. As speakers of other languages, Ms. Robert’s students developed English […]
Learn MoreAnti-Gun Violence Advocacy Goes Online
What did they care about? The students in Ms. Seitz’s 6th grade class began the year building a sense of community in their classroom. They wrote poems about themselves and shared the history of their names. They even participated in a community peace rally. The school community faces a number of challenges and the students […]
Learn More8th Graders Focus on Healthy Relationships
McCall 8th graders help spread awareness about sexual assault What did they care about? Leslie Greenberg’s 8th graders began the year exploring a wide range of social issues and making persuasive presentations to their classmates to determine which issue would be the focus of their service-learning project. After powerful points were made, two topics emerged […]
Learn More5th graders advocate for Homeless Pets
Cayuga 5th graders host Pet Expo to educate their community What did they care about? Like many children, Pam Kieffer’s 5th graders were concerned about the fact that many dogs and cats were living in shelters or on the street. They wanted to know what they could to do to make sure the pets […]
Learn MoreChange Your Mind, Change the World
Bache-Martin ESOL Students create museum to help fellow students celebrate their home cultures. What did they care about? Rachel Gelb’s students are learning English and adapting to a new culture. They loved the chance to come to class and talk about things they wanted to change about their community. As conversations unfolded it became more […]
Learn MoreSaving Honeybees
What did they care about? Thanks to a partnership with Fox Chase Farm Sonia Thornton’s 3rd grade class were able to make weekly visits to the farm. On an early visit, they noticed the bee hives and, of course, the bees! The children panicked, screaming and running from the bees, swatting and trying to kill them. […]
Learn MoreCUSTOMIZED SERVICES
Our workshops, trainings, consultations, and technical support are highly interactive and tailored to each setting and need.
Join Us
Need in Deed accepts new members of the teacher network from March through June annually.
As a result of joining the Teacher Network I feel excited and motivated and challenged when students get off the traditional school topics and talk about their personal lives. In that past mentioning that I allow those "distractions" made me feel unprofessional. I see now the value there, the value in helping students create real connections, connections that matter to them.
Year 3+ Need in Deed Teacher