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I am a 6th grade math and science teacher in Oakland, CA. I’ve been using DonorsChoose.org for three years to get resources for my students. So far, I’ve had 37 proposals funded. It’s been relatively easy to make this happen, and I wanted to share this success with other teachers. Here are my top four tips to making DonorsChoose.org work for you as a teacher:

1. Keep it cheap! I’ve found that proposals that are relatively inexpensive (under $400) are very likely to get funded quickly. I’ve also had larger proposals funded, but they sometimes take longer to get more donors intrigued.

2. Get the donation ball rolling. I often let my friends and family know that I’ve posted a new proposal. Especially when I started teaching, those close to me really did want to help me get resources for my classroom. Even if someone can just give $20, it makes your proposal partially funded and likely to attract donors who are trying to “finish off” a proposal that has already received donations. In the past, I’ve gotten the word out by including links to proposals in my email signature and on my Facebook profile.

3. Get ideas from others. Where have I gotten all the ideas for these 37 proposals? From other teachers, of course! I’ve often searched the site for my content area (middle school math or science) to see what other teachers are asking for - it gives me ideas about what my own students could use! Whenever I visit another classroom and see something that would benefit my students, I’ll make sure to post a proposal for that item or idea when I get the chance.

4. Use classroom “down” time to get thank-you notes written. In a high-stakes world, it is sometimes tough to find time in class to write thank you notes to donors when proposals are funded. However, we all know how important it is to thank the donors; it’s also such an important lesson for our students to learn how to be thankful for what they receive. I find the time to do this during quizzes and tests - students are instructed before they begin that they should write a thank you note after they have finished their test. It eliminates the problem of quick students having nothing to do while they wait for their classmates to complete a test. I ask them to be detailed and include pictures in their letters. On the white board, I have written the name of the donor, any words or phrases they might need (such as “reusable batteries and charger”, “appreciate”, and “Sincerely”) in the letter so that they can be self-driven in writing their letter.

Good luck with your proposals!

–
Jessica Eastman

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To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, DonorsChoose.org partnered with the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) to fully fund projects posted by the first 50 new Indiana teachers on our site. The campaign has already had more than 60 eager responses from ISTA member teachers at over 30 schools in every nook and cranny of the great state of Indiana.

The best thing about this incentive is that teachers who did not make the “first 50” can still benefit from the vast national network of citizen philanthropists funding projects every day at DonorsChoose.org, and the more teachers and schools getting materials for their classrooms, the better! Click here to donate to one of these wonderful Indiana projects!

Thanks to the Indiana State Teachers Association for helping us spread awareness of this special initiative!

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A South Carolina teacher wrote to let us know how the resources she received from DonorsChoose.org helped her students.

I just had to share some good news with DonorsChoose. Last year my school tried a new program. All of our self-contained students were placed into regular classrooms. Almost one-third of my class was comprised of these students.

I was overwhelmed, especially considering the fact that these children would be required to take the same end-of-year state tests that the other children took. I turned to the donors at DonorsChoose for help.

They purchased book sets, phonics helps, writing tools, and more. Of the six children needing the most help, four passed their reading and writing tests. It was like a miracle.

One donor had purchased books for a needy child in my room. That child read her books nightly and on the state test not only did she pass reading, but she scored proficient in writing.

Another child came into my room reading on a zero reading level. He, too, passed the reading and writing sections.

When the results came in, my principal had the faculty give me a round of applause. I, in turn, gave credit to people in my school who had helped with my students and now I want to give credit to DonorsChoose.

You supported me during a really tough year and I thank you. More importantly, DonorsChoose did exactly what it was created to do…make a difference in the lives of needy children. All of my students fared well on our state reading and writing tests. Of my students who did not have severe learning problems, 100 % passed their state reading and writing tests.

On behalf of all my students and me…thank-you.

Sincerely,
- A South Carolina Teacher

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