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The best cause marketing campaigns create tangible, visible change in a cause area strongly aligned with the company’s brand. But as anyone in the field knows, finding the right nonprofit partner with the skills to execute a campaign is harder than it sounds! When marketing agency Lippe Taylor was exploring nonprofits that could advance the goals of their client Nature Made, DonorsChoose stood out.

At DonorsChoose, our teams have 22 years of experience handcrafting cause marketing and corporate social responsibility campaigns with our partners’ marketing and CSR teams, and the agencies that support them. As a national nonprofit that enables public school teachers to request whatever they need for their classrooms, DonorsChoose makes it easy for companies to target their giving — whether that’s supporting environmental science resources, books with diverse characters, or requests from Texas teachers.

The Challenge: Lippe Taylor wanted to craft a unique and impactful cause marketing campaign for client Nature Made 

Nature Made, the leading national vitamin and supplement broadline brand, came to Lippe Taylor to help educate consumers on the benefits of the brand’s immune-support products. Lippe Taylor saw the perfect opportunity to amplify the brand’s ongoing commitment to supporting healthy classrooms. Driven by this purpose, Nature Made was eager to reduce teacher out-of-pocket spending on wellness resources for their students and themselves. 

Lippe Taylor and Nature Made saw an opportunity to accomplish these goals by making a big impact through a DonorsChoose cause marketing partnership; the teachers we serve are highly engaged, and we have a robust fulfillment and procurement system that allows us to swiftly get resources into public schools.

Our team jumped at the opportunity to build a custom campaign that would support teacher and student wellness. When Lippe Taylor approached us, they shared two key goals:

• Support America’s public-school teachers by equipping them with wellness resources for their classrooms
• Distribute Nature Made products to teachers across the country at scale

Our team worked closely with Lippe Taylor to develop #TeachHealthy, a custom campaign tailored to align with Nature Made’s purpose. Through #TeachHealthy, we launched a $4 million gift for DonorsChoose teachers and helped get 7 million servings of immune-support products into the hands of teachers.

Our Approach: We combined DonorsChoose fulfillment expertise with Lippe Taylor’s integrated marketing prowess to create a campaign as impactful as it was splashy

Through #TeachHealthy, we implemented a number of funding and PR tactics to achieve Nature Made’s goals.

Funding tactics — executed by DonorsChoose

• We launched a Health & Wellness Match Offer that doubled and tripled donations to 8,801 Health & Wellness projects on DonorsChoose.
• We instantly funded 2,030 projects from Los Angeles Unified School District to support teachers in the local community surrounding Nature Made’s headquarters.
• Teachers had the chance to receive Nature Made ImmuneMax and Vitamin C Gummies along with DonorsChoose funding credits to request resources for their schools.

PR tactics — executed by Lippe Taylor

• Lippe Taylor coordinated an integration with CBS’ The Talk to announce that every project in Los Angeles United School District was instantly brought to life. DonorsChoose Teacher Board Member Amanda Calzada helped share this news on air.
• Influencer content launched with two long-term Nature Made social partners to extend the #TeachHealthy message and reach educators in need.
• #TeachHealthy was also featured through a NowThisNews partnership through a hero video, social ads, banner ads, and sponsorship of an episode of their editorial series, the Common Good.
• Lippe Taylor produced a mini documentary featuring real teachers from the Los Angeles Unified School District. The resulting #TeachHealthy video was so beloved, it was adapted to a :15 Commercial that appeared on social and broadcast media.
• Actress Yvette Nicole Brown was enlisted to highlight the importance of the program through social content and conversations with local educators.

The Impact: Business and Cause Success Earned Us a Silver Halo Award in Education from Engage for Good

Overall, #TeachHealthy funded more than 13,700 projects for public school teachers across America. Nature Made was able to distribute nearly 54,000 boxes of ImmuneMAX samples and 138,000 boxes of Vitamin C Gummies samples to schools. Teachers were thrilled to benefit, and jumped to social to celebrate Nature Made.

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In addition to the integrations with NowThisNews! and The Talk, the campaign press release was picked up by numerous publications, including Yahoo! Finance and MarketWatch, and Lippe Taylor’s proactive media outreach secured #TeachHealthy coverage in industry publications like Chain Drug Review and Nutritional Outlook.

The campaign resulted in +7% pts increase in Publicity Awareness, +2% pts increase in Consideration, and +4% pts increase in Purchase Intent. Nature Made’s Earned Coverage Score was double that of competitors.

Based off of this success, Engage for Good awarded #TeachHealthy with a Silver Halo Award in Education, honoring this campaign as one of the best cause marketing campaigns of 2021.

This thoughtful project from 5th grade teacher Mrs. Burnette has gone DonorsChoose-viral:‍

"I want my students to feel safe at school. Part of that is providing them with items they may need in [a pinch]. 

If a girl starts her cycle at school, I want her to know she can come grab what she needs from the SOS bin. 

If a boy is dealing with body odor, I want him to know I have what he needs. 

If their hair tie broke, they misplaced their mask, they forgot to brush their teeth, they have a stain on their shirt, or chapped lips...I want to make sure they feel comfortable, safe, and provided for at school while they are away from home. 

This will also prevent having to call parents to leave jobs and come bring needed items to school."

Teachers across the country are creating projects for their own “Essentials Closet”, “Self-care Station”, or “SOS Bin” – a stash of little, everyday necessities that could un-ruin a school day instantly. 

Here are 7 items to kick off or add to your supply drawer:

1. Deodorant

The one thing most DonorsChoose projects for middle- and high-school essentials kits have in common? Antiperspirant. High school teacher Ms. Bukowski made this observation:

“While many people may think that this is just a project for deodorant, it truly is not. This project will work towards improving social and emotional psyche as well as improving the cleanliness of our whole student body.”

Being able to grab an extra deodorant after a particularly active gym class or for normal daily hygiene can reduce stigma and scent.

2. Hair ties (and more hair ties)

Mrs. Mishima-Donahue is attempting to solve one of the world’s greatest mysteries: where do all the hair ties go? From her fully-funded project:

“My students need items to keep their hair out of their faces and in good condition. Many of my students ask for hair ties because they don't have any at home. I have a small bag in case of emergencies, but this year, I've gone through so many. The brushes and combs will allow them to keep their hair knot free, while hair ties and clips will keep their hair out of their faces.”

A simple $200 project secured 10 hair brushes, 48 combs, 250 hair elastics, 100 barrettes, and more for Mrs. Mishima-Donahue’s students.

3. Toothbrushes and floss

Kids in all grades may need help with access to oral hygiene products. Ms. Denise knows that oral health can bring ‘positive results and invaluable rewards’:

“Hygiene is such an important matter and it can be a source of embarrassment for students whose families struggle to cover the cost of necessities such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss. Help me remove barriers for students so they can unlock all their educational potential!”

Add toothbrushes, travel-size toothpastes, mints, dental flossers, and chapsticks to your cart so your students can breathe a little easier.‍

4. Feminine hygiene products

Access to feminine hygiene products, especially during those critical (and often confusing!) middle-school years can have a real impact on attendance rates, positive social engagement, and feelings of self confidence. Ms. Bare’s ‘Menstruation Station’ gives all menstruating teens at her school access to these critical supplies, privately:

“We need a place where any student, at any time during the school day, can get the menstrual products that she needs so that she does not have to feel stressed or miss class time. I want to create a menstruation station in my lab supply room so that students can confidentially obtain the sanitary supplies that they need.

Sanitary products including pads, tampons, liners, and flushable wipes are a must for those mid- and older-grade essentials closets.‍

5. Stain remover towelettes

A snacktime or lunch hour incident can be just a momentary glitch in a day if you have the right clean-up supplies on hand. Take it from Mrs. Krieger, the niceties can be necessities:

“It's difficult for students to focus on school when they have other worries on their mind. If we can make their lives a little less stressful by supplying these basic needs and goodies, then it's been a good day.”

Lint rollers, bandaids, eyeglass repair kits, and safety pins can save a student from an unnecessarily tough day, too!

6. Socks

Ms. Sherman recognizes that she can’t expect her students to focus on learning when so many of their basic needs aren’t being met. An extra supply of socks and emergency clothing items can save students from discomfort and embarrassment.

“Our students come to school with problems they bring from home. We can’t fix those, but we can give them a safe, clean place to learn. We can temporarily supply them with clothing and personal hygiene items so that they don’t have to worry about being ridiculed by their peers or being ostracized.”

7. Stress balls

Ms. Posluszny’s SOS Cabinet includes mental health resources as well:

“It goes without saying that 12 year olds face daily struggles and emotional challenges that can without a doubt throw them for a loop or anger them, and could benefit from the ability to pick up a stress ball and decompress while sitting in class. I want students to feel safe and comfortable in my classroom and know that while learning is important, their social and emotional needs are equally as essential.”

Stickers, squishy balls, and fidget toys are ‘essentials’ for some students, too!

The Ultimate SOS Bin 

Check out Ms. Sims’s project Self-Serve Self-Care Station for Junior High Students in the Library to see all of these items rolled up into one full-service resource.

We’re inspired! Are you? Start your own project today for the little items that make the biggest difference in your students’ day!

Teaching right now is so many things: challenging, joyful, rewarding, stressful, rewarding. This Teacher Appreciation week, the DonorsChoose community rallied over $9.6 million for 25,642 teacher requests. Over 49,000 people from across the United States showed up to give. What a week!

DonorsChoose is the nonprofit classroom funding site for public school teachers. 4 out of 5 US public schools in the United States have had at least one teacher request materials through the site.

Here’s how Teacher Appreciation Week unfolded this year.

MONDAY: THE KICKOFF

On the first day thousands of folks flooded the site to start giving, and a couple of partners kicked the week off right:

• GM doubled every single donation to teacher requests for technology.
• The Dalio Foundation doubled donations to every project from teachers in Connecticut!
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TUESDAY: GOOD MORNING AMERICA! EVERY PROJECT MATCHED!

Teacher Appreciation Day was the biggest day of funding of the week! The SONIC Foundation made sure every donation to every teacher’s project on DonorsChoose received at least a 50% match. 

Plus, Emmy-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph dropped by Good Morning America to shine a light on DonorsChoose teachers! Watch the inspiring clip on GMA’s site.‍‍

WEDNESDAY: HOW MANY PARTNERS?!

A flurry of partners are jumped in midweek to give people an a chance to make an even bigger difference for teachers:

• An anonymous family who cares about teachers is doubling donations to every teacher at an Equity Focus School who has never had a project funded on DonorsChoose. 
• General Motors is doubling donations to requests for STEM materials from teachers in rural communities. 
• Neukom Family Foundation is tripling donations to Racial Justice and Representation projects. 
• Great Wolf Lodge is doubling donations to select projects in California, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Kansas. 
• Chevron is doubling donations to STEM projects from Equity Focus Schools in select communities. 
• Optimum is doubling donations to every request for STEM materials from schools on Long Island.
• Kleenex is doubling donations to projects requesting Kleenex products.
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THURSDAY: A MEANINGFUL MATCH (AND THE VIEW)

In one of the most heartwarming surprises of the week, an anonymous partner doubled every donation to projects serving students with disabilities. Plus, DonorsChoose teachers also got heartfelt shoutouts from none other than Whoopi Goldberg on The View, radio legend Elvis Duran on Z100, and actor Yvette Nicole Brown on Instagram.

FRIDAY: HIGH-FIVE!

The week finished off on a high note, as donors flooded the site to take advantage of a special offer. When each donor gave $5 to a classroom project and entered the promo code FRIDAY, their donation was instantly doubled. Thank you to all the donors who showed up to give a project a little bit of love before the week was out!

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Our world has changed significantly in the last four years. Young people faced significant challenges, a long-lasting pandemic that asked of them physical isolation, loneliness, economic downturns, and de-globalization. Young people also used every single platform and space possible to passionately advocate for a better world for themselves and their communities. Through this, more and more people realize prioritizing mental health is a key to navigating global issues, leaning into hope and resilience, and building solutions that work for our most vulnerable populations. Mental Health Awareness Month has become an essential time to raise awareness, share accessible resources, and eliminate stigma and encourage people to reach out to support themselves and each other.

The theme for 2023’s Mental Health Awareness Month is "Hope and Resilience: Mental Health for All." This theme highlights how eager young people are to build a kinder and braver world, and how mental health affects us all no matter our backgrounds or experiences. 

Young people are a force of change, and we benefit from following their leadership as they demand safer, affirming, validating, and resource-rich spaces within which they can thrive. Born This Way Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, understands deeply the importance of working with and for young people through programs including the storytelling platform Channel Kindness, its Advisory Board made up of a global group of young leaders age 15-24, and its free peer support online mental health course, the Be There Certificate. 

Get started

Created by Jack.org in partnership with Born This Way Foundation, the Be There Certificate is a free, self-paced learning experience designed to increase mental health literacy and provide the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to safely support a young person and anyone who may be struggling with their mental health. Young people helped create and inform the program, and it’s available in English, French, and Spanish. Using Be There’s 5 Golden Rules to support others (and a sixth golden rule to support self), the Be There Certificate provides a simple, actionable framework on how to recognize when someone might be struggling with their mental health, your role in supporting that person, and how to connect them to the help they deserve.

Using accessible resources like the Be There Certificate helps us show up with more compassion toward ourselves and for our communities. If we’ve learned anything these past few years, it’s that we need each other. 

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Starting in 2018, Born This Way Foundation has given more than $500,000 to teachers seeking mental health resources through DonorsChoose. In total, they’ve helped fund 2,300 requests for resources for public educators across the country, bringing us closer to a nation where teachers have all the tools they need to support their students’  needs.

Are you a teacher in need of resources to support your students’ mental health? Request what you need today.

Are you a donor looking to get mental health resources into classrooms? Check out these requests from teachers.

Arkansas teacher Mrs. Weaver needed to fill her art supply closet so that her Kindergarteners could express themselves through hands-on, engaging activities. She turned to DonorsChoose to request all the basics — glue sticks, oil pastels, crayons, pencil sharpeners, and more. Thea Foundation, an arts in education foundation, spotted that Mrs. Weaver’s school had recently been struck by a strong tornado and swooped in to fully fund her project. That same day, DonorsChoose staff ordered Mrs. Weaver’s resources and shipped them her way. Mrs. Weaver shared her gratitude:

“We are elated to be able to start using some of our favorite supplies again and even add some new ones to our closet! Without donors like you, we would be limited in what we had access to because of funding. Thanks for supporting my classroom!”

Expanding grassroots giving through DonorsChoose

When Thea Foundation was first founded in 2001, the team would drive to local art stores, buy supplies for teachers, and deliver those resources to Arkansas schools. This strategy allowed for a deep, hands-on connection between the foundation and local schools, but it wasn’t easily scalable. Thea Foundation sought a way to streamline their funding and fulfillment while making sure the resources they purchased reflected what teachers and students needed most.

In 2011, Thea Foundation began partnering with DonorsChoose and have since given more than $500,000 to art and music supply requests from Arkansas teachers. To retain that community-centric, hands-on ethos, the Foundation team hand-picks projects to support throughout the year, giving 50% of the total project cost through a self-serve funding account.

Fully funding projects to celebrate Arkansas teachers 

In 2023, Thea Foundation wanted to do something above and beyond for teachers, recognizing the incredible challenges educators and students have faced over the past few years. In a single day, they fully funded 70 Arkansas art projects, guaranteeing teachers quick success and letting teachers and students know that their community is rooting for their success.

"Thea Foundation is incredibly grateful for the service Donors Choose provides the teachers of Arkansas. Having access to such a powerful information-sharing and money-raising platform allows organizations like ours to put the money we raise from our concerned donor base directly into the hands of public school educators. Educators who find themselves continuously on the precipice of budget cuts or facing the hollow challenges of unfunded mandates. Our growth with DonorsChoose has produced a likely corollary, growth in teacher effectiveness, not just in K-12 art programs, but in a variety of classrooms across the entire state of Arkansas." 

—Nick Leopoulos, Thea Foundation Executive Director

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Want to learn more about how we can target funding to support schools in the communities you care about most? Reach out to us!

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What is it like being a teacher right now? The nationwide network of DonorsChoose public school teachers knows better than anyone. Over 2,600 DonorsChoose teachers helped us answer that question by sharing some of the challenges they face, and what keeps them coming back to the classroom every day. 

Classroom Costs On The Rise

This school year, teachers continued to reach into their own wallets to buy classroom supplies and resources for their students. On average, teachers have spent $687 of their own money in the last year to stock their classroom.

For a majority of teachers, spending has remained the same or increased since before the pandemic; 40% of teachers report they’re spending more on classroom supplies than they had prior to the pandemic, and 36% reported spending roughly the same. 

These rising costs combined with low teacher salaries in many communities have driven teachers to seek out supplemental income from second jobs. One in four teachers reported working 10 or more hours per week at an alternate job to support their teacher salary, and 8% of teachers reported working more than 20 extra hours a week at another job.

These challenges leave some teachers choosing between their passion for the profession and the reality of supporting themselves and their families. One Indiana first grade teacher shared, “Teaching is the only profession I ever saw myself having, but with the increasing demands and behaviors with a small salary, I find myself trying to decide if remaining a teacher long term is an obtainable goal.”

Teachers’ Needs Go Back To Basics

Teachers most need the basics — both for learning, and for student wellbeing. 58% of teachers reported needing basic supplies like paper, pencils, and cleaning supplies. The second most common need among teachers was personal items for students; 54% said they needed items like snacks, warm clothing, and hygiene items for their students.

The other thing teachers need? More teachers. Three in four teachers reported that their school was somewhat or severely understaffed.

Nearly all teachers reported being concerned about teacher mental health and burnout, which often stems from teacher, staff, and supply shortages. A Connecticut pre-K teacher shared, “Teacher and staff shortages across subject areas make it difficult to meet everyone’s needs and causes stress on those who try to pick up the extra workload, leading to burnout and more teachers leaving the profession.” 

Bigger Hurdles for Teachers of Color, Teachers at Historically Underfunded Schools

As part of our Equity Focus at DonorsChoose, we pay close attention to two groups of teachers who often overcome unique challenges in the profession: teachers of color, and teachers at “Equity Focus Schools” where 50% of students identify as Black, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, or multiracial, and 50% of student come from low-income households. Historically, Equity Focus Schools have been the most underfunded, and teachers of color continue to be underrepresented in the teaching profession. 

Teachers of color and teachers at Equity Focus Schools encountered even greater challenges than the average teacher who responded to the survey. Teachers of color report spending an average of $714 of their own money on school supplies, and teachers at Equity Focus Schools report spending an average of $718 — both higher than the average of $687. 

More teachers of color and teachers at Equity Focus Schools report that they’re spending more of their own money on school supplies post-pandemic.

Teachers of color reported more often than White teachers that they were working a second job to support their teacher salary, and teachers at Equity Focus Schools were more likely to be working a second job than teachers at other schools. 

For Many Teachers, Passion Prevails

When asked how they’d describe being a teacher this school year, the most common responses were “challenging,” “stressful”... and “rewarding.” Despite a number of obstacles that continue to make teaching a challenging profession, teachers remain committed to their calling. 59% of teachers reported they planned to continue teaching for 10 or more years. 

A high school teacher from Michigan shared, “I know that my passion for education is contagious, and it is the best gift that I can give.”

“Despite being overwhelmed, I love my job,” one Virginia elementary school teacher told us. “I love seeing my gems get excited when they have mastered content. It takes a SPECIAL person to be an educator!”

For many teachers, this joy keeps them going. According to an elementary school teacher from Utah, “I'm proud to be someone who gets to pour into this next generation and have an impact on the lives of our precious children. I love to see their joy in discovering something new! It's like nothing else when a child has worked so hard at something and the lights finally turn on for them. When they feel proud of their own accomplishments and celebrate those of their classmates, I know I'm doing something of value. It feels great!”

For so many teachers in the DonorsChoose community, having a project funded keeps money in their pockets and brings joy to their classrooms. A high school teacher from Wisconsin shared, “Having a project funded by DonorsChoose has been one of the highlights of this school year. I was amazed at how quickly a community member selected my proposal, and how easy the process was to complete. Not only did this experience boost my spirits, but my students were touched that a stranger went out of their way to help our class.”

According to a Louisiana middle school teacher, “It has been an expensive and stressful year with shortages in supplies. Getting help from DonorsChoose has helped relieve some of that stress.”

Even simple classroom improvements have students jumping for joy. “My most recent project for flexible seating got funded and I told the kids today,” shared a high school teacher from Kansas. “They were clapping their hands and jumping around, happy about getting some seats that feel comfortable for them.”

How Can You Help?

Interested in showing your appreciation for teachers? Start on DonorsChoose by making a donation to a teacher request that matters to you. You’ll hear directly from the teacher you help about how you’re impacting their students. And good news… your donations are tax deductible, and some donations are eligible for matches from our partners. 

Are you a teacher looking to stock your classroom? Get started on DonorsChoose!

Throughout the country, moments like Black History Month (February), Women's History Month (March), and this month’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month help teachers to celebrate their students’ identities. AAPI Heritage Month is a time to embrace and highlight the diversity, contributions, and individuals that make up the AAPI community. Here are a few projects from DonorsChoose teachers that celebrate this month in exciting ways!

Representation Matters 

Throughout her six years as a teacher, Ms. Ullman has used DonorsChoose to fill her classroom library with books that tell stories from different points of view. For AAPI Heritage Month, she set up the “Mirrors and Windows in Literature” project to add books that focus on AAPI stories and experiences to her shelves.  She hopes to:

• help her AAPI students to build confidence in their identities
• give students of other backgrounds the opportunity to read about cultures outside their own.

From biographies to historical fiction, from graphic novels to picture books, Ms. Ullman works with her students to find books that spark their imagination and make them hunger for more.

See Ms. Ullman’s project

Doing it for the Culture 

Music has a way of connecting us all. Through her “Ukuleles For Our Children Of The World” project, Mrs. Cooper is using a class set of ukuleles to help her students connect.

“The school has a large Pacific Islander population, and this resource could help in sharing their expertise and community's culture with all the kids” — Mrs. Cooper, Grades 3-5, WA

Many of Mrs. Cooper’s students already play the ukulele thanks to the traditional teaching they receive at home. By requesting a class set, she is hoping students can demonstrate their musical skills with their classmates while sharing what they love about their culture. 

See Mrs. Cooper’s project

Meeting your Idols

Asian American history is full of beauty and resilience. Through her Fashion and Asian-American Pride and Resilience project, Ms. Hinds invited TED Talk speaker Christina Chiu to share her personal experiences with Asian American racism along with insights from her career in fashion, writing, and advocacy.

"Ms. Chiu was inspiring and uplifting to students and faculty alike, who said they came away from her talk with a deeper understanding of racism as well as the power of finding your voice and inner beauty." — Ms. Hinds, Grades 9-12, NY

Thanks to virtual classroom visits, students in Ms. Hind’s library got to connect directly with Ms. Chiu and her powerful story.

See Ms. Hinds’ project

The members of Mr. Blomberg’s Asian Culture Club are just starting their lifelong journey into self-discovery and acceptance. They partnered with Mr. Blomberg to request tickets to the Boston Asian-American Film Festival, an event highlighting Asian filmmakers and actors covering themes like immigration, assimilation, acculturation, and discrimination.

 “While the films and food were beloved, it was the presence of a strong, artistic, self-realized Asian-American woman that brought the energy to the students." - Mr. Blomberg, Grades 9-12, MA

While at the festival, students enjoyed the food and the music, but it was the films and the filmmakers that made an impression: they even got to meet the festival’s creative producer and founding director!

See Mr. Blomberg’s project

Our teachers love celebrating their students. How are you celebrating identity in your classroom?

Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more project inspiration!

The right little things can make the biggest difference. Anyone who reaches for the good scissors knows what we mean. Our Teacher Facebook Community shared their favorite classroom items under $40 that bring a million bucks’ worth of usefulness, relief, or ease to their school day. Take a look and find your new favorite deals!

1. Wireless Doorbell

The 2023 version of the classic school bell? A wireless doorbell! It’s a portable, pocket-sized attention-getter, transition time signal, and voice saver.

“This doorbell has over 50 different chimes that can be changed as the day goes on. The doorbell is wireless, so I will be able to carry the button with me around the classroom. When the students hear the sound, they know to freeze and follow further instructions. Having a device that is able to change sounds will help keep the students on their toes and will get their attention easily.” — Sounds in the Classroom, Mrs. Vernon, Grades PreK-2, North Carolina

2. Timers

This one’s for the easily distracted students, the overly engrossed learners…and the adults. Timers with visual and auditory indicators are a simple way to keep the class on track and reinforce time management skills for everyone.

“My students rely on visual supports to help them navigate our schedule each day. The large color display and audible reminder will help my students remain focused on their task. They will know exactly how long they have to complete an activity, and when they are permitted to take a break. The timers will also help the many adults in my classroom follow our daily schedule.” — No More Time's a Wastin', Mrs. E., Grades 3-5, Ohio

3. Sticky Notes

Vibrant, multi-size sticky notes are possibly the most versatile tool in the classroom. Students can use them as exit tickets, to self-submit answers, to share positive feedback on peer work samples, to flag unknown words in books, and so much more. Can you ever have too many sticky notes?

“We need a lot of vibrant post-its to re-energize our eager readers. Our second graders know that post-it's can be used to stop and jot character traits, predictions, empathetic comments, and when they notice "college words" in their books. ” — Sounds in the Classroom, Mrs. Vernon, Grades PreK-2, North Carolina

4. Pencils

We can’t say it better than this high school math teacher from our Teacher Facebook Community: “PENCILS! There are some battles I refuse to fight and pencils are on that list. Don't have a pencil? Here's one you can have. You need to borrow one every day? Fine! (If they're borrowing every day I make them return it at the end of the hour).”

Pencils in bulk. Just do it. There’s no reason to let a broken or missing pencil disrupt learning for more than the 30 seconds it would take to grab one from your stash.

5. Dry Erase Board

Sometimes all the technology in the world can’t replace the simplicity and ease of its old-school counterpart. Dry erase boards can help enhance cooperative learning, facilitate communication, serve as practice notepads — and save paper! No WiFi required.

“With a dry erase board for each student we will be able to practice writing letters, numbers and eventually words. Being able to carry a dry erase board from location to location allows for learning to continue in multiple areas. My kids love having items that are not common in their lives. Dry erase boards will provide them that. Using a dry erase board is more fun than sitting at a desk and writing on paper.” — Wipe It Off And Write It Again!, Mrs. Gordanier, Grades PreK-2, Missouri

6. Stickers

Mrs. O’Shea in Brooklyn has a very valid question for you: ​​”Wouldn't you love someone to acknowledge the hard work you do every day with a jazzy sticker or a pat on the back?” Teachers in our Facebook Community are reporting skyrocketing scores and student smiles from these timeless classroom incentives. And the options are endless!

“Shopping for stickers is mind blowing. There is such a wide variety of stickers for all ages, out there! There are glitter stickers, holiday stickers, goofy character stickers, angry bird sticker, gold star stickers, cartoon character stickers, Cat in the Hat stickers, reptile stickers, butterfly stickers, inspiring word stickers, just to name a few. Every kid loves to get a sticker and every kid needs a bit of motivation to do a great job on their homework assignments.” — Splendid Stickers for Spectacular Students!, Ms. O'Shea, Grades 3-5, New York

7. Velcro

Giving sticky notes a run for their money as the most versatile classroom tool: Velcro. Here’s a short list of ideas and one awesome project example that uses Velcro in at least four ways.

• Sensory tactiles (Velcro under the desk as a fidget tool!)
• Durable alternative to floor tape
• Name tags
• Anchor charts
• Workplace labels
• Communication boards
• Fine motor skill builders
• Hanging…anything!

8. Play-Doh

A learning tool disguised as a toy, what’s not to love? Play-Doh gives students a hands-on medium for any subject, any lesson. Or for those five minutes between lessons when everyone needs a brain break.

“Academically, my students can use Play-Doh in our literacy centers to identify letters, learn sight words, and towards the end of the year they can use Play-Doh to build sentences using the stamps. Play-Doh can be used in many different ways in our Math and Science centers too! My students can use Play-Doh during the free-choice time to be creative and use their imagination. No two students learn the same way, so the addition of Play-Doh in my classroom allows me one more method to teach my students.” — Squish, Mold, Roll...Where is the Play-Doh, Mrs. V?, Mrs. Vultaggio, Grades PreK-2, Michigan

9. Kwik Paint Sticks

By teacher definition: “Kwik Stix are like a mix between crayons and tempura paint. They make it easy for the child to paint with brilliant, bold colors but no mess. They also give lots of control which is great for a child with fine motor goals.” (Thanks, Ms. Doman!) 

A no-mess option for artistic expression in the classroom? We’ll take three.

“The Kwik Stix are a fun tool for painting, poster making and experimenting with color mixing. Some students don't like painting because it can often be messy and hard to control. These painting sticks make it easy to explore painting without the mess.” — Exploring Kwik Stix in the Painting Center, Ms. Brown, Grades 3-5, New York

10. Pop-its

You may not have heard of these but we guarantee your students have! Teachers in our Facebook Community have found tons of ways to turn these popular stress-relieving fidget toys into bona fide classroom aids for everything from math to reading to sensory tools.

“Pop It Fidget devices have a multitude of possibilities for use within a Kindergarten classroom. We would like to use the Pop Its to support our kiddos in all areas. In reading, we can use the Pop Its to count the number of sounds within a word and to help tap out our words. The Pop Its can also be used to make the shapes of letters. We can use the Pop Its in math to add, create a number and even subtract.” — Pop It Learning!, Ms. Ruder, Grades PreK-2, North Carolina

11. Over-the-ear Headphones

Dreaming of a quieter, more focused classroom? No judgment here – just a great idea for making it happen. Over-the-ear headphones are surprisingly inexpensive and give students independent access to all the audio resources they need.

“My students love using technology in the classroom to aid in their learning. There are a lot of great resources available, but most use audio. Headphones are required so as not to disrupt other students' learning, and allow for more technology to be used during independent work, which is done every day during guided reading. These headphones will also allow students to create projects that showcase their learning, because they have a microphone that they can talk into.” — We Can Hear It Now!, Mrs. Weaver, Grades 3-5, South Carolina

12. Flair Pens

The yellow #2 pencil will always be a staple, but pens have their place, too. Teachers for all grades find use in PaperMate Flair Pens (standard black and every color!). One teacher in our Facebook Community reports that after a year and a half of remote laptop learning, Flair pens helped motivate their 7th graders to use their writers notebooks. Little learners can benefit from pens, too!

“The advantage to having the pens instead of pencils, is to be able to see the child’s thinking. When children make mistakes using a pencil, they simply erase. I am able to see the thinking work that my students go through with pens instead of pencils. Cross-outs, attempts at solving a tricky problem, or the spelling of a tricky word can tell me so much about what my students already know and what they need to learn next. Pens enable us to teach our students and our school community that we value process as much as we do product.” — Writer’s Workshop: Beyond the Pencil, Mrs. Morris, Grades PreK-2, Texas

Take a look at the new projects teachers are working on to show their students that learning is the best kind of adventure, then start your own low-cost project!

Let’s be real. In a lot of ways, this year has been a tough one for teachers and their students. Many public schools across the country remain underfunded and understaffed. Often, students are still working through the learning loss and emotional impact of COVID-19. All while news stories about violence and the divisive political climate light up our screens. 

Despite these challenges, teachers show up for their students every day. As a teacher-founded nonprofit and the most trusted classroom project funding site, we at DonorsChoose know just how meaningful that dedication is. We’re all a little bit better because a teacher helped us along the way — but as Teacher Appreciation Week approaches, we wanted to know what helps them keep going, too. That’s why we asked teachers, “What makes you proud to teach?” Here’s just a few of the powerful answers we got back:

“It's like nothing else when a child has worked so hard at something and the lights finally turn on for them. When they feel proud of their own accomplishments and celebrate those of their classmates', I know I'm doing something of value.”

Call them “aha” or “light bulb” moments. We heard from so many teachers that it’s that incredible moment when a student just “gets it” and reaches an understanding about something in their learning that makes them beam with pride as an educator. 

“These kids have been through a lot. I teach K-5 special education and have had some of my students since before Covid started. We've been through a lot together and seeing how much they have overcome and how well they are doing fills my heart with joy.“

Without a doubt, the pandemic also came up a lot when we asked about what makes educators proud to teach. The level of challenges still being faced in classrooms due to COVID-19, and the continued resilience of students and teachers alike is more than enough to explain why. 

“Seeing my students succeed in any form. From the biggest successes like getting into the middle school they wanted, to the smallest success like finding that missing pencil.”

For a good number of educators, it was all about the small wins and big growing moments like these that made them proud to teach. That’s because DonorsChoose teachers know the little everyday lessons can add up to major achievements when it comes to changing young lives.

“The fact that I can help a student feel more comfortable with learning — to step out and try something new in a safe and nurturing environment. I may not see how it affects the course of their life, but I know for a season, I was able to tend to a child's emotional, physical, and intellectual health.”

Building community in the classroom and providing safe, inclusive environments for their kids was also a major contender from teachers. Teachers understand better than anyone that empowering their students with the tools and classroom space for taking big risks in their learning journeys is essential to great education.

“Having the opportunity to be part of a child's story. I love that my students hunt me down — even 30 years later — to let me know what they are up to!”

Young people will ultimately be the ones deciding the future and that importance was not lost on our educators. Being able to play a key role in a child’s story and the future world they’re growing up in was another big answer from our teachers. 

“For me it has been a journey of a lifetime to be a teacher and I made it this far. I am proud of all the teachers who put so much energy in being the best they can be and I include myself in that. I am proud of my students, no exceptions. We meet each other where we are and go forward.”

Many of our teachers also spoke of the immense pride they had in their fellow educators and how honored they were to be a part of a dedicated community of individuals who are doing so much for their students every day, despite constant challenges. We couldn’t agree more. 

“Despite being overwhelmed, I ❤️ my job. I ❤️ seeing my gems get excited when they have mastered content. It takes a SPECIAL person to be an educator!”

We wanted to end on the answer that likely won’t come as a surprise to you: Overwhelmingly, DonorsChoose teachers answered that the thing that made them most proud to teach? The kids. 

It may have been a tough year in many ways, but these teachers never stopped giving their all to help every student become their best selves. And that’s something to be tremendously proud of.  

Chances are if you’re teaching something, other teachers have probably taught it too.That’s why we’re excited about cart copy, the new feature that lets you browse the site for inspiration and put that inspiration into action.

Here’s how it works:

1. If you see an item you like, just click! 

When you’re browsing other teachers’ projects, and you see the Makerspace starter kit of your dreams, just hit “Copy this cart.” You’ll be brought to a new draft project, with those exact same items ready for you to request.

2. Stay in control of your wishlist

Once you copy a teacher’s cart, you’re still in the driver’s seat. You can change quantities to reflect your student count and still personalize your wishlist the way you usually do to make sure the resources are exactly what you need. (Bonus: Unavailable items will be automatically excluded from your cart. Once you’re done shopping, you’ll still write your own description of how materials will make an impact for your students.

3. A quick search is all you need 

Now, it’s easier to find a cart to copy. If you go to the Search page, you can find more than 40,000 ideas from teachers. That’s a lot of inspiration, but what if you’re looking for something specific? You can filter projects by grade and subject using the checkboxes to the left of the search page, or search for any items you’re especially in the market for at the top.

Coming on March 30: Every donation to DonorsChoose book projects on DonorsChoose will be doubled, while funds last. 

This is your chance to “put some time on the books” and  stock your shelves! The best way to take advantage of this special funding opportunity? Make sure your community knows about the awesome work you and your students do by sharing your project link! Teachers who take one of the 5-minute sharing actions below have a 89% success rate on DonorsChoose. (Seriously.) 

To help you give your projects an extra boost, our DonorsChoose team designed some resources to make sharing your project super simple, so the only question left is: 

Which action will you choose on March 30th?

Option A: All of my book-loving friends and followers will see my project link!

On Thursday morning, pick your favorite graphics from our collection and share at least twice on social media. You can mix & match your favorite platforms (i.e. 1 Facebook post + 1 TikTok), do a morning and evening post on the same platform, or post and re-share your own content (Insta feed + Insta story!). Wherever you tweet, post, snap, or share, make sure you include a link to your project!

Feeling extra excited about these graphics? You can create your own custom graphic using the Canva templates below:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

Option B: I’m sending my loved ones with my project via text!

On Wednesday, use the template below as a guide to write about your students and  then , copy and paste the text (with your project link!) into a group text chat or an email with your favorite 3-5 bookworms. Wherever you send it — your starred group chat, that DM thread with your book club, your family email chain — make it super personal to their favorite teacher (you!).

Option C: I’m sharing my book project to the max!

This option is your best bet to #FillEveryShelf in your classroom: A way to let all the book fans and (self-proclaimed) literary critics in your network know about your project and the big match day. Complete these three steps together to give your project the momentum it needs:

1. Send a personalized email to one person who cares about you and your classroom, asking them if they would like to support your project and put books in the hands of students Include your project link!
2. Post your project on your favorite social media platform and Include your project link!‍
3. Send one group email or text to folks you know, asking them to help you spread the word about your project while there are doubled donations. Include your project link!
   

Not sure who to reach out to? Get some ideas here!

“Graphic novels not only promote reading, but they also help to improve reading comprehension, vocabulary, and reading stamina.” — Mrs. Ureta, middle school teacher, Texas

Readers of all ages love graphic novels. Students get especially excited when they see a graphic novel on their reading lists! (What teacher doesn’t want that?) These ten graphic novels are the most requested by DonorsChoose teachers — check out these top picks and add them to your library!

1. Invisible: A Graphic Novel by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriela Epstein 

After finding themselves in trouble, five unique middle school students are forced to complete community service together. At first, they assume that they have nothing in common aside from being Spanish-speakers. When they meet a girl who needs help, they come to learn that they have more in common than they realized.

2. Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra

Frizzy is the story of a young Dominican girl who has a complicated relationship with her naturally curly hair. With the help of her best friend and her Tía Ruby, she begins a heartwarming journey of embracing herself and her curls.

3. I Survived Hurricane Katrina by Lauren Tarshis and Scott Dawson 

The third installment of the I Survived series, is about an eleven year old boy and his family that try to ride out Hurricane Katrina in their New Orleans home. This graphic novel series became popular for the way it combines historical facts with a truly captivating story.

4. Mary Anne's Bad Luck Mystery by Ann M. Martin and Cynthia Yuan Cheng

Mary Anne's Bad Luck Mystery is the seventeenth novel of the well loved The Baby-sitter’s Club books. In this story, Mary Anne ignores a chain letter and then experiences a series of unfortunate events along with her friends. When she discovers a new note, Mary Anne and her friends become determined to solve the mystery and find out who is behind the letters.

5. Miles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds and Pablo Leon

This middle-grade graphic novel features one of Marvel’s most loved superheroes, Spider-man. As Miles Morales (aka Spider-man) navigates the balance of swinging through Brooklyn and being a regular kid, he also uncovers secrets that force him to go after some big threats. 

6. Moon Rising by Tui T. Sutherland and Mike Holmes 

Moon Rising is the 6th book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series. This fantasy graphic novel hooks readers in with a mystical world full of dragons., prophecies, and special powers.

7. City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm by Jaimal Yogis and Vivian Truong

When Grace is on a school field trip, she comes across an old mysterious woman who gives her a dragon egg. After the dragon hatches, Grace and her friends have to protect it from sinister forces.

8. The Tryout: A Graphic Novel by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao

The Tryout is a touching graphic novel based on author Christina Soontornvat’s life in middle school. In this story, Christina and her best friend have to navigate trying out for the cheerleading squad as the only two students of color in their Texas school. 

‍9. Cat Kid Comic Club #4: Collaborations by Dav Pilkey

Naomi, Melvin, Poppy, Gilbert, Curly, and their siblings are thrilled to start making funny and original comics again. When these baby frogs work collaboratively, they learn that small things can have a big impact. 

‍10. PAWS: Mindy Makes Some Space by Nathan Fairbairn and Michele Assarasakorn 

Mindy and her best friends own a  booming dog walking business and things couldn’t be any better. But when Mindy experiences some growing pain at home and at school, she has to learn to let new people into her life.

Are you excited to get these graphic novels for your students? Create a DonorsChoose project and let our community help you get the resources you need!

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