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K-12 Dive reported on our government grant initiatives, helping leaders in Arizona, Delaware, Hawai'i, Nevada, Oklahoma and Utah distribute funding to their teachers through their DonorsChoose projects.

"Second grade teacher Samantha Ramos’ morning work for her students covers essential lessons, but the English language development teacher at John B. Wright Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona, knew something was missing.

Supplies like marble runs and interlocking plastic building discs would help students think creatively and learn how to problem-solve and work in teams. Materials for small group instruction in phonics, such as dice games and flip books, could provide hands-on learning fun, especially as she attempts to strengthen foundational reading skills following COVID-19 school closures and disruptions.

After calculating the cost of all these materials at $838.85, Ramos submitted a proposal in March through DonorsChoose, a popular online fundraising platform for individual educators’ classroom materials and projects.

Two days later, her request was fully funded by one donor — the Arizona Department of Education. A few weeks later, the materials arrived at her school."

Read the full story on k12dive.com.

Learn more about our government grant opportunities.‍

"Books. Lab equipment. Musical instruments.For 22 years, educators have turned to the crowdfunding platform DonorsChoose to get supplies for their students and classrooms. On the site, teachers can count on donors to fund requests for supplies that schools are too cash strapped to purchase. But they can also get a morale boost as COVID depletes their ranks, state laws censor what they can teach, and politicians suggest they bear arms in the wake of school shootings. Abby Feuer, DonorsChoose’s executive vice president of marketing and growth, spoke with The 19th about how the platform has grown beyond a crowdfunding site. For the first time, she said, DonorsChoose is helping states distribute funds to teachers to meet their needs. So far this year, five states have given over $40 million through DonorsChoose to teachers. The organization also has a district partnership program that includes 600 school districts it has teamed up with to support teachers." Read the full story on 19thnews.org.

LGBTQ teachers belong in the classroom.

LGBTQ students deserve a safe, supportive learning environment at school.

Transgender students belong on school sports teams, should have access to healthcare, and deserve to have their pronouns and names respected.

LGBTQ-affirming resources belong on the classroom shelves.

Students with LGBTQ family members deserve to see their families represented in classroom resources and discussions.

I’m not naive enough to think that everyone would agree with these statements — and yet it’s troubling to see that in 2022 basic civil rights for LGBTQ folks are again up for debate, both in the national dialogue and in state legislation.  

It is shocking that it is still the case that a student might have reason to fear sharing their identities, or that a teacher might put their career at risk if they mention their spouse in class. When I think back to my own days as a teacher, the principal who most influenced me–who modeled professional practices that I use to this day–was an incredible educator who also happened to be a gay man. The current debates and laws have horrifying consequences that present significant danger to both students and educators like my former principal. GLSEN’s 2019 School Climate report found that nearly all of their surveyed LGBTQ students had encountered homophobic language at school, yet only 13.7% of students reported that school staff intervened. Nearly 60% of LGBTQ students in GLSEN’s survey also reported that they felt unsafe at school, and roughly a third of students reported missing school in the past month because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable. LGBTQ students of color almost always experience higher rates of harm. These discriminatory and isolating experiences can take a heavy toll on young people: the Trevor Project’s 2022 national survey found that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, and 14% attempted suicide. 

An affirming school environment can go a long way in reversing these trends and empowering queer students. The Trevor Project and GLSEN reports also found that students in LGBTQ-affirming schools and communities were less likely to attempt suicide, miss school, experience bullying, or hear derogatory remarks about their sexual orientation or gender identity. The story of one Alabama school demonstrates the incredible power of a learning community where students can be free to be themselves. 

Certainly, any teacher can be an ally for their LGBTQ students, building trust and opening the door to meaningful conversations, so that students can better discover and understand themselves. On DonorsChoose, we’ve seen teachers request LGBTQ history books and novels, materials to make proms more welcoming to LGBTQ students, and LGBTQ guest speakers from the community. These are just a few of our favorites.  

LGBTQ educators also play an important role for all of their students, and too many are being driven from the classroom by oppressive laws and community harassment. LGBTQ teachers and staff bring a lived experience to the ways they connect and support their students who might be struggling with their identity. If it’s safe for an LGBTQ teacher to be out in their community, they can be role models for what it looks like to be a thriving queer person, and for all of the different ways a queer person can express themselves. And, in the midst of a national teacher shortage crisis, we need all hands on deck to keep our students learning, which demands welcoming and supporting teachers of all identities into the profession. 

During Pride Month and all year round, I hope you’ll take a moment to support LGBTQ teachers and students, within your own community or in a place where queer rights are under attack. For our teachers, we’ve compiled some LGBTQ project examples to inspire your next project, and books to consider adding to your classroom library. For our supporters, you can give to a classroom project chosen by our LGBTQ staff at DonorsChoose. 

Outside of DonorsChoose, I’d encourage you to take a look at the work of The Trevor Project, GLSEN, and PFLAG, and track updates on anti-LGBTQ legislation with the Human Rights Campaign. 

Without a doubt, it’s never been more important for all of us to celebrate LGBTQ pride and what it means for queer people to live their truest, fullest, most joyful lives.

Pride is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ community while honoring the spirit of the Stonewall Riots and the advocates who continue to fight for equal justice for the queer community.  

For many teachers, celebrating Pride in the classroom is a way to show their students that they are in a safe space. Here are some of our favorite ways DonorsChoose teachers are supporting their students through classroom projects.

Pride Storytelling

When Ms. Jones became a teacher, one of her driving goals was to make sure students saw themselves depicted in the reading materials she provided to her class. Her project, See Yourself in a Book - LGBT Edition! is her way of saying “all are welcome”!

“When a student picks up a book, they see the world; however, so many classroom libraries only present ONE version of the world while leaving out so many voices.” — Ms. Jones, See Yourself in a Book - LGBT Edition! 

According to GLSEN, in the last school year, only 19% of students were taught an inclusive curriculum with positive representations of LGBTQ people and authors. By providing her students with books such as Eleanor and Park and Fangirl A Novel, Ms. Jones is giving students an opportunity to see themselves and experience ideas or perspectives different to their own.

Pride Awareness

When it comes to celebrating identities, students are at the center of these conversations. The LGBTQ club at Ms. Landrum’s school —  or as they call themselves, the “Rainbow Unicorns” — have a mission to promote a safer, more accepting school for all! 

“We are a small but mighty group of gender-nonconforming, lesbian and gay students and staff who meet weekly to support one another and bring awareness to our larger school.” — Ms. Landrum, Help us Promote the Rainbow Unicorns LGBTQ+ Club

With this project, Ms. Landrum and the Rainbow Unicorns will create personalized buttons to educate students and staff about the different flags that represent the queer community and so that allies can make themselves visible.

Pride Through Student Groups

After learning more about the LGBTQ community, Mrs. Boersma's students were inspired to create a safe place for students to continue learning and discussing these topics.

“Since learning about the LGBTQ community, some of our students have advocated starting a GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) at school!” — Mrs. Boersma, Gay Straight Alliance Supplies

To help them get started, she requested resources like books, stickers, and flags for students to use as they learn, grow, and advocate for the LGBTQ community.

Classrooms are a place to learn and grow, and students should feel safe in them. How are you building inclusive spaces for your students to learn? For more great ideas or to support a teacher, here are some inspiring classroom projects curated by our LGBTQ staff and allies.

District Administration reported on our government grant initiatives, helping leaders in Arizona, Delaware, Hawai'i, Nevada, Oklahoma and Utah distribute funding to their teachers through their DonorsChoose projects.

"When a teacher in New Castle County, Delaware, had to get reading materials to her English learners during lockdown in 2020, she used a brand new funding tool to turn her car into a bookmobile. The teacher received state COVID relief funding through DonorsChoose, and was able to drive through her community on weekends distributing books so students didn’t fall behind in literacy." Read the full story on districtadministration.com.

Learn more about our government grant opportunities.

"According to a new study released by DonorsChoose, Black male teachers spend more time with students outside the classroom than teachers of any other racial demographic. In addition, the study found that Historically Black College and University (HBCU) graduates account for some of the most dedicated teachers. They spend over 5 hours per week on tutoring outside the classroom and 6 hours per week on mentoring, compared to 4 hours a week each, on the part of Black teachers who did not graduate from HBCUs. Moreover, Black HBCU graduates reported an average of 18 students hanging out in their classrooms outside of regular class hours, compared to 11 students for Black teachers who did not graduate from HBCUs." Read the full story on forbes.com.

"Public school teachers often need help funding classroom projects and a gift card from DonorsChoose is the perfect way to help educators in need. When you purchase one, you can send to your children's teachers, educators in your local area or colleagues at work. You can purchase a card in any denomination from donorschoose.org and have it delivered via mail, email or print and hand-deliver yourself." Read the full story on tinybeans.com.

“A DonorsChoose survey found that Black male educators take on a disproportionate amount of work to support their students inside and outside the classroom. This is the largest-ever survey examining the Black male educator experience from their decision to teach to the impact they make in communities.” Read the full story on theroot.com.

Three months into 2022, classroom life has not slowed down for our teachers or students. Despite another challenging year, DonorsChoose educators are still caring for their kids and bringing excitement into their classrooms. Check out some of the ways that teachers are going above and beyond!

Beyond the Books

Many teachers love to take their classroom lessons beyond the books. They know that when students enjoy and are active during the lessons, the knowledge stays with them. To bring learning to life for her students, Mrs. Hunt built a new world: Huntsville Hospital! With stations to practice reading and math skills, all the kiddos enjoyed a positive diagnosis!

Mr. Hart took a different approach and chose to let his students do the building! While his “construction students” went over the length and metric units, he acted as foreman.

Beyond the Classroom

DonorsChoose teachers are known for taking care of their students, even beyond the classroom. Over the last couple of years, they have seen firsthand how the pandemic has affected families and have stepped up to help. 

While food shortages have affected many communities, teachers used DonorsChoose to ensure their students had the snacks and meals they needed. Here, you can see the smiling faces celebrating the snacks that Ms. Auter organized for her students through DonorsChoose.

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Mrs. Byrd didn’t let Texas winter storms stop her students from learning. Instead, she created a project for winter gear to keep her students warm!

Beyond the Student

Teachers can see things the average person can’t: they see the faces and lives of their students coupled with their potential to change the world. 

To encourage her students to see their own potential, Ms. Miller makes sure to celebrate Black History Month with books about people from their culture and community excelling. Since students are so different, there’s no one resource that comes in a fits-all size. By filling her classroom with books featuring diverse characters, Ms. Miller is ensuring all her students feel seen and special.

Through rain, snow, and pandemics, we will always find teachers going the extra mile for their students. What are you loving about the projects you are seeing on DonorsChoose?

Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more inspiration, and share with us your DonorsChoose success stories!

At DonorsChoose, we believe in community. It’s our community of donors and partners that bring classroom dreams to life, our thriving community of more than half a million front-line educators (including more than 90,000 educators of color), our community of vendors shipping resources to classrooms across the country, and our staff community that energetically connects the dots in this ecosystem. 

Community is also at the center of racial equity work, and as an organization committed to combating racial inequity, we think it’s important to elevate the voices of our communities and to share how we’ve reoriented our thinking on a number of fronts — including the words that we use to describe identities. Since launching our Equity Focus last September, here’s where we are on this journey. 

In a nutshell: We’re listening.

We’re listening to what teachers tell us through their projects.
Our Equity Focus rallies our entire organization around a new goal focused on schools where at least 50% of students are Black, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, or multiracial, and at least 50% of students qualify for free or reduced price lunch. In shaping our Equity Focus, we’ve relied not only on research showing how a student’s race impacts their access to equitable education, but on what we’ve learned from listening to the language in our teachers’ projects. Our #ISeeMe campaign was born out of hearing teachers tell us about the importance of “students seeing themselves” in their learning environments. 

We’ve built a framework around listening to our customers, with an eye toward equity. 
We’ve developed a set of principles that guide how our DonorsChoose racial equity work shows up in the world and the words we use when talking with our customers. Two of these principles are: “We believe people of color should feel welcomed, affirmed, and respected when engaging with our channels and as part of our community”; and “we believe we all play a role in combating inequity, including racial inequity.”  We recognize that as the world continues to change, our customers will change, and we’ll evolve as an org. So will these principles.

We’re evolving as we listen to what teachers tell us, when we ask. 
When we first started shaping our Equity Focus, we used the terms Black, Latinx, and Indigenous to describe the teachers and students at the heart of this work. And while we’ll never purport to propose a one-size-fits-all solution to how we describe students and teachers who identify as such, we learned two things about these language choices after surveying our teachers late last year:

1.  More DonorsChoose teachers who identify as Hispanic or Latino/a/x prefer we use “Latino/a” or “Latino” when reference to country of origin isn’t possible. 
   
2. More of our DonorsChoose teachers who identify as Native American/Indigenous/First Nation/American Indian prefer we use “Native American”. 

While "Hispanic" was as popular as "Latino/a," additional teachers preferred variations like "Latino" and "Latina," which argued for using some derivation of "Latin."  We're defaulting to using the term "Latino" as our best effort to listen to the community concerned while also trying to avoid presupposing a gender binary. While we’ll default to use of Latino, such language preference confirmed by teacher voices, we will strive to be as inclusive as possible in thinking about the context of when we’ll stray from this use. We’ll consider: When might we be able to use a teacher’s country of origin to better describe that teacher and their community? How might use of Latino, Latina, or Latino/a impact members of the community who identify as transgender or gender nonconforming? We’ll continue to adjust to meet the expectations of our teacher community, and we’ll start by mirroring our language choices with what teachers are telling us in the data.

We’re engaging with our staff, their stories, and race-equity scholarship to help us make tough choices on this journey. 
I’m especially grateful to a host of colleagues, including our Employee Resource Groups: DALE (the DonorsChoose Association of Latinx Employees), BOSS (the Black Organization of Soulful Staff), RAD (Representing Asians at DonorsChoose), our Equity Council, and Steve To (our Director of Equity & Experience) for always championing the voices of the community in our race equity work. While our entire team is committed to addressing inequity, it’s these folks whose identities, stories, and family histories are baked into the decisions we make. 

As we round out this school year and as I lead our organization into becoming more race equity-forward in our impact on students and teachers, we’re deeply committed to making intentional choices about the language that we use. As a Black woman, I bring my own roots to the table in these conversations, always recognizing that race has a painful and complex history and therefore requires care and intentionality in the words we use. 

When in doubt, or when the answer is unclear, we’ll look to the community to guide our decision making so that we can ultimately rally as many resources around students and teachers as possible.

Celebrating women’s contributions to history is essential all year round. By giving students the chance to read books by and about incredible women, students of all genders can be inspired by these often-untold stories that have shaped our world. 

Whether you’re looking to integrate women’s history into STEM lessons, diversify your classroom library, or find the perfect role model for that one special student, explore these 15 titles by women authors that our teachers love.

Elementary Grade Books by Women Authors

The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist, written by Cynthia Levinson and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

At 9-years-old, Audrey Faye Hendricks was the youngest known child to be arrested for a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963. Her story shows students (and reminds adults!) that you’re never too young to stand up for what’s right.

“Texts such as The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist... provide the classroom with a diverse, relevant and engaging books and integration of content. Making meaningful connections and having a shared text to refer to in class makes discussion rich with high impact.” —Mrs. Sorgenfrei, Rich, Complex Texts for Future Leaders

Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World, by Vashti Harrison

This gorgeously illustrated New York Times Bestseller shines a light on women from around the globe who’ve changed the world. From physicist Chien-Shiung Wu to novelist Toni Morrison, Little Dreamers celebrates bold thinkers and creative innovation.

The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne, written by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by John Parra

Award-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome shares the story of journalist and Civil Rights activist Ethel L. Payne. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago during the Great Depression, Ethel L. Payne went on to become one of the first Black press correspondents for the White House.

“Books like The Power of Her Pen about Ethel L. Payne highlight inspirational Black women… These books will go a long way in representing the differences of my classroom on the outside, while we also highlight the beauty and similarities that we find on the inside.” —Mrs. Everage, Books That Reflect Our Diverse Classroom & World

Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles, written by Michelle Meadows and illustrated by Ebony Glenn

Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in America, with a combined 30 Olympic and World Championship medals. Flying High tells the story of how hard work and love from her family helped her get there.

Ambitious Girl, by Meena Harris

Ambitious Girl shows young girls that their boldness and personality will never be too much. Niece of US Vice President Kamala Harris, Meena Harris brings the joy of being surrounded by ambitious women and girls to life.

Middle School Books by Women Authors

Black Women in Science: A Black History Book for Kids, by Kimberly Brown Pellum

Black Women in Science features 15 biographies of trailblazing women. Students can dive into Black history and read about Dr. Alexa Irene Canady, the first Black woman to become a neurosurgeon in America; Annie Turnbo Malone, the first Black woman millionaire in America; and many more.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, by Erika L. Sánchez

New York Times Bestseller and National Book Award Finalist, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter tells the story of Julia, who has to find her place in her Mexican-American family after her sister’s death. This instant classic strikes the perfect chord between moving and laugh-out-loud funny.

“Being able to read a story and relate to a character is what allows a child to fall in love with reading as a whole. My students are very interested in learning about current events through accessible texts. Erika Sanchez's I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter is exactly that.” —Ms. Schmitt, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter: Reading and Relating

Other Words for Home, by Jasmine Warga 

Jasmine Warga tells the story of a young girl who has to leave Syria for the United States. The novel in verse explores identity and belonging, and what it means to find yourself in a new place.

Women in Art: 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World, by Rachel Ignotofsky

For young artists ready to dive head first into art history, Women in Art shares the biographies of women artists from 1262 to the present. From favorites like Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe to contemporary artists like Maya Lin and Sokari Douglas Camp, students are bound to be inspired.

Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson

In her autobiographical novel in verse, Jacqueline Woodson shares what it was like to grow up in South Carolina and New York in the 1960s.

“This memoir focuses on the 1960s and 70s where the civil rights movement and the remnants of Jim Crow laws greatly impacted the author's childhood and family life. Through this memoir, students will learn about this important period in history and the ways in which the conversation about race in America has changed since then.” —Mrs. H., Deepening Our Representation of Diversity Through Brown Girl Dreaming

High School Books by Women Authors

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s 1969 autobiography is an unprecedented work of storytelling and literature. The classic examines racism and trauma, and pushes the genre of autobiography to new heights.

“Learning to read for fun increases wisdom, knowledge, and morality, encouraging children to demand more from themselves and expect more out of life. Maya Angelou's story is just the book I need to help my students learn to dream and achieve.” —Mr. Thomas, Help Us Learn Why The Caged Bird Sings

Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston

Written in 1937 during the Harlem Renaissance, Their Eyes Were Watching God is a pillar of American literature. Zora Neale Hurston’s examination of race, gender, and love remains essential.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot

Henrietta Lacks had her cells cultured by doctors without her permission or knowledge, and those cultured cells went on to change medical science. Rebecca Skloot’s book interweaves the story of Henrietta Lacks with science writing and an examination of racism and medical ethics.

“I am planning to give each of my science students a copy of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks to incorporate into our study of cells and the human body. Students will make connections from the book to what is happening today in both the COVID-19 pandemic and the pandemic of systemic racism.” —Ms. Schuettpelz, Focusing on Social Justice in Science Class

In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez

This piece of historical fiction gives breath to the Mirabal sisters during the time of the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic and shares a story of courage and political resistance.

The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo

Written by renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo, The Poet X tells the story of a young slam poet in Harlem as she grapples with her mother’s religion and her place in the world.

Spot a book you’d love your students to read? Create a project today: http://www.donorschoose.org/teachers

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the Black experience: the culture and the people. Year-round, DonorsChoose teachers find new and exciting ways to show their students how Black history and culture shape our country today. As we reach the end of Black History Month, we’re showcasing some of the creative ways teachers are honoring the past and recognizing the contributions of Black leaders and individuals throughout the school year.

Creating Art to Explore Identity

Ms. Palmiere is helping her students learn more about Black history and culture through art therapy. During the month of February, they learn about important events and figures in Black history.  After reflecting on these conversations, they create clay sculptures of themselves to express their creativity and identities.

Cultural awareness and tradition play important roles in helping young children develop a positive sense of identity and build self-esteem. - Ms. Palmiere, Making Myself With Model Magic: Cultural Identity Art Therapy!

See Ms. Palmiere’s project

Celebrating Culture With Performance

"It is important to teach young children just how influential African American people have been throughout history, and exactly what they went through to have their voices heard." — Ms. Allen, We are the Future of Black History

This year, Ms. Allen’s students are celebrating Black History Month by performing a song in their school’s annual Black History Month program. To bring this performance to life, Ms. Allen created a project for African attire. Her students’ faces lit up when the costumes arrived and wearing them helped them gain a love and understanding for the rich history and culture of the Black diaspora. 

See Ms. Allen’s project

Bringing Books to Life

When students see themselves represented in the stories they read, they see that their stories matter and their self-worth increases. To help her students understand how important they are, Ms. Rivas fills her Kindergarten classroom with a range of books featuring Black stories. Her book list included historical books like The Story of Ruby Bridges and fictional picture books like Girl Like Me. 

“It is so much fun to hear the students say, ‘they look like me’ or ‘I can be like her/him too.’ Students see the world through books and it's important that they see themselves represented in the world.” -Ms Rivas, Black History Month

See Ms Rivas project