Long Beach teacher hopes to win $100K to give school new technology

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A Long Beach teacher is competing to win $100,000, and she plans to use the money to provide more computers and iPads for her elementary school students.

Most students at Lafayette Elementary School only get about 60 to 90 minutes a week with a computer, and a majority of the students' digital learning at home is nonexistent.

The school librarian, Katherine Tacea, decided that her kids needed more access to technology.

She is dreaming big and wants computers and iPads in the classrooms. Tacea hopes to win the money to find the new tech by competing for a grant through Farmers Insurance.

The insurance company has launched its nationwide Dream Big Teachers Challenge for a chance for six U.S. schools to win $100,000 grants.

Lafayette made it to the finals after competing against schools across the country, but now the elementary school needs votes.

While single votes help, it isn't enough. The competition is about getting community support every single day, so daily voting is required.

Wendy Thompson, the principal of Lafayette, said the money would mean an opportunity to close the technology gap.

"I have several students right now living in the Pacific Motel and so they have the same dreams and visions as everyone else," she said. "We owe them nothing less than the best so we're all committed to giving that to them."

It would also give students the tools and skills to get them to college and achieve a brighter future, she added.

You can vote for the school at thankamericasteachers.com.