Student Intern Julia Pennello Instrumental in Securing Ukelele Equipment for Clifton Public Schools

Undergraduate student Julia Pennello, a Music Education major and a Music Clinical II intern, introduced her cooperating teacher, Mrs. Jody Scelba, in Clifton, NJ to all kinds of technology and apps this semester.

Pennello was a student teacher for General/Vocal Music Education from January – March 2018 in the Clifton Public Schools and created a ukulele unit for fifth graders, which was very well received. She instructed what materials, technology and special teaching apps would be fun, educational and easily accessible and available for students if they wanted to continue learn how to play the ukelele on their own. She was instrumental in teaching effectively on the iPad with a Smartboard with the Ukeoke Ukelele Karaoke app. The students liked partnering, helping and teaching one another and also enjoyed singing along and playing the chord changes as they were displayed on the Smartboard.

Julia convinced her cooperating teacher to apply for a DonorsChoose.org project to help fund ukelele equipment for Scelba’s classes. Subsequently, her cooperating teacher received an email from DonorsChoose, urging them to watch Stephen Colbert’s show for an announcement; Every single teacher’s project on DonorsChoose.org was being paid off by Ripple.

On March 27th, Ripple fully funded the project and stated, “Ripple is proud to be making history with DonorsChoose.org by funding every project on the site today. We want all students to have access to inspiring tools, innovative experiences, and a quality education so they can grow to be our next generation of leaders.”

In response to the project being funded, Scelba stated: “I was totally elated, overwhelmed and emotional when I heard on the Steven Colbert Late Show that my ‘Elementary Music Ukulele Project’ had been completely funded! I’d like to thank all of my donors, family, friends, parents, colleagues, Principals and especially Ripple and DonorsChoose.Org. My 5th grade students will now have the opportunity of learning to play an instrument which can be a life-long skill filled with personal music appreciation and satisfaction. I also feel this gift shows them how wonderful it is ‘to pay it forward’! Thank you again.”

Through Pennello’s efforts, $1800+ worth of ukelele equipment will be coming to the Clifton Public Schools and will be distributed among three of the district’s elementary schools.

Additionally, Pennello was nominated for the state’s student teaching award by her cooperating teacher for all of her hard work and efforts within the classroom.