Fund DonorsChoose Project

Giving Back

Most teachers don’t go into the profession for the money (or lack thereof) or the “summers off.” The majority of teachers go into teaching for one main reason – because they want to help.

That’s why teachers work unpaid before the school year begins, wanting to set up their classroom so it’s a safe and welcoming place for students.

let me fund your donors choose project

That’s why teachers spend money out of their own pockets to make sure their students have access to books and school supplies.

That’s why teachers volunteer their time after school and on the weekends preparing lesson plans and grading papers.

It’s not about the money – it’s about changing the lives of kids.

But more often than not, our desire to help is not met with appreciation, but with with disrespect, anger, complaints, and ridicule. Disrespect from the students we are trying to help. Anger from their parents. Complaints from our administration. And ridicule from the general public, who often accuse us of selfish motives when all we want to do is make a difference.

Teachers are the most undervalued and overworked people I know. And that’s why I want to help.

Funding DonorsChoose Project

I’d like to help as many of you exceptional teachers as I can. In 2016, I donated a total of $2,464.52 to teachers through Donors Choose.

If you or any teacher you know has a DonorChoose Project that needs funding, please comment below so I can help fund it!

What I’m Looking For

I spent the majority of my years teaching 3rd and 4th grade at urban, low-income schools. According to DonorsChoose, the schools I worked at were of the “Highest Poverty.” My heart is with teachers at schools like these, where pencils and paper are a precious commodity, and where teachers are constantly changing the lives of kids that come to school with a LOT of baggage.

I want to support as many teachers as I can, but I’m particularly eager to fund 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers working at high poverty schools.

Below are examples of just a few of the projects I have donated to in the past.

Chess Team Goes to Nationals
Basic Coding – Dot and Dash
Math Manipulatives and Activities
Document Camera
Wonder Books
Scholastic News

Please let me help fund your project!

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  2. How can I get in on this? Our school system is in a city that has gone practically bankrupt. Funds are so tight, we all have muffin tops. In all seriousness, I have been searching for a way to get a few iPads or laptops in my classroom because we just do not have the resources for kiddos…most have to use the data on their phones. Please send me information on this awesome program.

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  3. I am looking to expand my beginning chapter book section for my lower-level readers. Our school had some funds this year, but new materials have not been purchased for several years due to the lack of a librarian. I am attempting to play catch up this year. Thank you for your consideration.

    Michelle

    https://www.donorschoose.org/project/learning-to-love-reading/2368427/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=proposal_donations_momentum&rf=email-system-2017-01-proposal_donations_momentum-teacher_4151821&utm_swu=2025&challengeid=20888963

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  6. Hi
    I have 2 projects- 1 is for supplies (not very exciting), donations are being matched and it expires soon: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/super-second-grade-supplies/2162293/?rf=link-siteshare-2016-12-teacher-teacher_1647016&challengeid=20489220
    The other project is for an iPad and if it gets funded, I will do another project for an Osmo coding set: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/iteach-with-ipad/2343175/?rf=link-siteshare-2016-12-teacher-teacher_1647016&challengeid=20489220
    I would appreciate a donation to either! Thanks!

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  7. How wonderful of you to do this for teachers! My project is to purchase a fish tank, pump, and water chiller to raise trout from eggs to fry. Students will be raising the fish in the classroom and then releasing them in local rivers. We have already done a lot of work around fish in the classroom and this is our culminating project. Students have taken a field trip to a local river and tested the water quality in local rivers, studied the health of the riparian zone, collect and studied macro invertebrates, a observed salmon spawning. They then used the data and information collected on the field trip to study they health of the river. . Thanks for considering my project! It expires right before Christmas and donations are currently being doubled by Tom’s of Maine.

    Debbie

    https://www.donorschoose.org/project/salmon-eggs-to-swim-up-fry/2162748/

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  15. https://www.donorschoose.org/project/a-pocket-for-everything/2322817/?rf=link-siteshare-2016-12-teacher-teacher_2644691&challengeid=20513442

    For the first time this year my school has departmentalized 3,4, and 5th grades. I now have 32 seats and 64 fourth graders! We need pockets in the worst way!

    The depart has a happy ending, I’m now exclusively teaching reading, writing and social studies ;).

    Love the blog. just used your text feature scavenger hunt in small group this week ;).

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      I always wanted to try departmentalizing – I think I could be a much more effective teacher if I could just focus on a few subjects! Hope it works out well for you this year. You are one of my December donations!

  16. I teach multiple grades, mostly 3rd-5th, in a High Poverty school in Memphis, TN. I teach at a Title 1 school. My project is requesting books about Ancient Egypt to enrich our study on Ancient Egypt. We will do a novel study on “Tut Tut,” a hilarious book about kids who travel back to Ancient Egyptian times. I am also requesting nonfiction books about Egypt for research. https://www.donorschoose.org/project/books-make-history-come-alive/2346872/

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  17. This is so inspiring! Thank you for your generosity to teachers! My school is in a very rural, isolated part of Arkansas. Many of our kids do not have computers at home, so they get very little exposure to technology and the outside world. Our school only has two mobile chrome labs to service our whole school, so the sign-up sheet is always full. ???? My project is to have five chrome books in my classroom that I would be able to use to help students who need more time on the computer to be successful in today’s world. Thanks again!!

    https://www.donorschoose.org/project/chromebooks-our-window-to-the-world/2335110/?rf=email-system-2016-11-proposal_approve-teacher_4088742&challengeid=20880602&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=proposal_approve&utm_swu=4258

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  19. I currently have a project called Materials for Active Learning. In my classroom I am giving students multiple work stations to promote their success. Right now I have individual work spaces and regular tables for group space. I also have low seating with a coffee table and pillows. What I am lacking is higher tables. This would provide students the chance to stand and work or sit on a stool.

    I have noticed in my classroom when I supply these different level work stations there are less negative behaviors. Students feel like their in a different zone.

    Recently the students rearranged the room to where the personal and group zones will be. Providing these higher work stations will help give them more ownership of their classroom.

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  20. I love that you’re giving back to teachers! I teach 2nd Grade in Philadelphia! Currently I have a Donor’s Choose Project up for a Photo Printer so I can print out pictures of my kiddos acting like leaders, to celebrate their character, remind them of who they are, and inspire others!

    Here’s the link!
    https://www.donorschoose.org/project/seeing-ourselves-as-leaders/2342913/?rf=link-siteshare-2016-12-teacher-teacher_3135689&challengeid=20651500

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  22. I teach multiple grades, mostly 3rd-5th, in a High Poverty school in Memphis, TN. My project is requesting Kindle Fires for my classroom. I teach at a Title 1 school. I have 1 working computer in my classroom, and it is at least 5 years old. It is touch and go whether or not it will even power on. I teach gifted students in a portable, and we aren’t ever allowed access to the computer lab because it is used mostly for testing. Kindle Fires would give students access to learning apps, games, and websites to conduct research. https://www.donorschoose.org/project/light-a-fire-for-learning/2297137/ Thank you for even considering us!

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  23. I teach 4th grade at a “highest poverty” school. My project is for Scholastic News. Our library is old and out of date and isn’t the least bit engaging. Scholastic News is so engaging, it can read the articles for struggling readers or in Spanish for kids new to English! I would love for you to fund my project – it will expire in December! Thank you for your consideration. Denise

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  24. Hi Kalena,
    I have a new project posted for my babies, and with your support of my last project I was wondering if you’ve chosen an October project yet. I am trying to get a Saxon Phonics kits to help my second graders that are reading on a Kindergarten level. I also have some bouncy bands on the project because I have several ADHD students that are struggling with managing their wiggles. Your blog is my go-to resource when I struggle with a topic, so thank you!!
    Heather Hawkins
    https://www.donorschoose.org/project/back-to-basics-to-build-phenomenal-reade/2197046/?rf=link-siteshare-2016-10-teacher-teacher_2509190&challengeid=20470406

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  26. Hi!! I love your blog! Thank you!

    My project is for a classroom carpet. We are in desperate need of one. You can find out all of the details at the link below. We have 4 more days to use the LIFTOFF code! Donors Choose will match any donation if that code is used, which is so awesome!! Thank you so much for your consideration and for doing what you do! 🙂

    Joanne

    I love this teacher’s idea for helping students: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/comfy-cozy-classroom-community/2188493/

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  27. Hi, I am working on a Donors Choose Project for Flexible Seating options, as I know so many of our students need these options to help their learning. Every student I serve is unique and different and therefore I want my room to foster those individuals. I teach at a failing school with high poverty students, like you said every supply I get is a precious commodity. I would be so gracious with any help for my project.

    https://www.donorschoose.org/E.EwingMurphy

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  28. My project is for class sets of books for my fourth grade literature studies. Tuck Ever lasting, Kokopelli’s flute and Shiloh. Any assistance would be appreciated. literature Studies II

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  29. I started a Donors Choose Project because I am trying to get 6 Kindle Fire tablets for my classroom. Students today are so technologically advanced and I wanted to use that to help foster their love for learning. Here is the link to my project for more Info. Thanks in advance for any consideration you may give.

    Sincerely,
    Claudia – Third Grade Teacher in NJ

    https://www.donorschoose.org/project/kindle-fires-taking-us-beyond-our-class/2084521/?rf=email-system-2016-07-proposal_approve-teacher_2411211&challengeid=20435217&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=proposal_approve&utm_swu=4258

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  30. Thank you for reaching out and helping these teachers better help their students. I would like iPads in my class. This will be my first year teaching 4th grade. I would love to integrate technology throughout the day especially with science and writing.

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  31. Greetings Ms. Baker!! I am so glad I came across your blog to find out how you give back to teachers who are using majority of their money to fund the necessary needs in their classrooms. I actually just posted a Donors Choose Project 3 days ago! I am requesting ipads for my 2nd grader students. More info about my project and our need for them can be found at

    https://www.donorschoose.org/project/if-you-give-a-2nd-grader-an-ipad/2037091/?challengeid=367674&rf=link-siteshare-2016-07-teacher_profile-teacher_2216590.

    Thank you so much for the consideration!

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  33. I just posted a project for next year. We have almost no technology in my school, and many of my students have never seen a tablet. I’d love to get this project funded so that I can help prepare my students for the real world with exposure to a variety of tech.
    Thank you for all you do!

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      1. Thank you so much! The resources your donation went toward will truly help my students prepare for the tech-centered work environment they will be facing in just a few short years. Thanks again!

  34. I love that you are looking to give back to other teachers! Thank you!

    My project is for a document camera for my 4th graders for next year. I utilize the document camera to make instructions clearer for students, to show examples, and, most importantly, so that they can be proud of the hard work they have done and show off their successes!

    https://www.donorschoose.org/project/showing-off-success/1978697/?rf=link-siteshare-2016-05-teacher-teacher_3584933&challengeid=20765442

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      I absolutely loved having a document camera – my 3rd graders and I used it ALL the time, and I don’t know how I would have taught without it! You’re going to love having one. You’re my donation for May!

  35. Thank you so much for supporting teachers.

    My project is for stability balls in my classroom to replace chairs. With a packed schedule we don’t always have time to take brain breaks. The stability balls will help students with the concentration because they will constantly be able to move while they learn. I am hoping this will make an impact on my students because they deserve it. These are great kids who don’t get many chances and are looked down on by the public because of where they live. They have so much potential.

    https://www.donorschoose.org/project/bounce-the-wiggles-away/1973888/?rf=link-siteshare-2016-05-teacher-teacher_3389029&challengeid=20706974

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      I think this is an awesome project! I wish I had learned coding as a kid! You are one of my March donations…I hope your project gets fully funded soon!

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      Looks like your project got fully funded before I got to it! Congrats…hope your students enjoy the Weekly Readers. I went ahead and donated some money for any future project you might need!

    3. I currently teach 5th grade and my donors choose project is to help buy boxes with locks to create a motivational way for students to learn any curriculum area. The students solve curriculum based questions that will lead to lock combinations. As they unlock a box, the box will give them additional clue for the next box and so on. I bought my first box and locks and tried it last year with HUGE success. However, to include all my students, I needed more of these boxes running at the same time. So please help my vision for my students come true.

      https://www.donorschoose.org/project/breakout-boxes-for-curriculum-content-an/1990376/?rf=link-siteshare-2016-09-teacher-teacher_3569453&challengeid=20768822

      Thank you for your consideration!
      Sincerely,
      Molly

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