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In 2016, I was new to America, teaching at Harvest Prep Academy in rural Yuma, Arizona. Struggling with a class of uninterested students, I nearly left. Seeing my frustration, one student said, “Nobody wants to teach us, Mr. Santos. The teachers all leave, so why bother paying attention?” His words revealed a deep sense of abandonment felt by these children. That day, I vowed to stay and make a difference. With the help of my students and school, we’ve done just that!

As a Title I school with 97% minority enrollment, many being immigrants or ESL learners, we face real challenges. Our students have the same ambition and drive as those in well-funded suburban schools, but we lack resources and access to technology… especially AI tools.

When I first started, I had trouble finding students who were interested in the STEM program I was hired to build, and my lab had nothing but a sink, test tubes, and a candle. Fast forward to today, we have 300 young minds working on STEM projects across K-12. My class became a National Finalist in the 2023/2024 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition, high school seniors are mentoring elementary students, and alumni are achieving milestones like a Fulbright to Stanford.

When recently asked what we’ve been doing with AI, I had to admit, “Not much, YET.” It wasn’t until Solve for Tomorrow’s $50,000 prize package that we were able to secure 23 laptops equipped with AI. AI is now helping our students perform data analysis, visualize research, and brainstorm ideas — while LLMs are making STEM learning more accessible for our ESL students through translation.

We’re a prime example of the challenges highlighted in Samsung and DonorsChoose’s The State of STEM Education survey. While 96% of public middle and high school educators believe AI will be central to education within a decade, 97% say they urgently need more resources to integrate it into classrooms.

From my experience, here are three steps teachers can take today to prepare students for an AI-driven future:

1. Embrace an Open Mindset: AI often comes with fear and misconceptions, but science shows it can be a powerful tool in education. Developing AI literacy — both for educators and students — can minimize fear and highlight AI’s learning benefits.

2. Expand Access & Opportunities: Expose students to AI through STEM competitions. Seek grants and build partnerships with tech companies. Advocate for professional development that helps teachers use AI as both a classroom subject and a lesson planning tool.

3. Champion a Supportive Environment: Teachers need the trust and backing of their schools and districts to implement AI-driven initiatives. A supportive ecosystem fosters innovation and ensures students are equipped for a fast-paced, tech-driven world.

Reflecting on my eight years at Harvest Prep, I can’t help but wonder—what if I had left like so many before me? I would have never witnessed my students defy expectations, build confidence, and achieve dreams they once thought were out of reach. Staying was the best decision I ever made, and their success proves that when given the right support, every child has the potential to thrive.

Breaking News: Season 2 of the Podcast is Here!

“What will I be when I grow up? An astronaut? A teacher? A filmmaker? An athlete?” Students wonder about so many things when dreaming about their futures (and so do many adults!). If the kids in your life are asking these questions, Most Likely To, a podcast by DonorsChoose is the perfect listen in 2025. 

For 25 years, DonorsChoose has been helping teachers give their students the resources they need, and our podcast was created with this goal in mind: a new resource for kids to hear directly from professionals from underrepresented backgrounds in a wide range of industries. Most Likely To is all about the journeys people take to get to where they are, making every dream accessible to students across the country.

Hosted by Janelle Lin, Most Likely To has already featured so many inspiring guests, from beauty industry powerhouse Amy Liu to Broadway star Jose Llana to groundbreaking scientist Dr. Raven Baxter (just to name a few!). With a new sponsorship from KPMG, season 2 promises an equally exciting lineup — kicking things off with Olympic Gold Medalist Laurie Hernandez. 

You don’t have to wait; check out Laurie’s episode today! In the season premiere, students will learn how Laurie went from normal kid to Olympic medalist and the many different sources of strength she found along the way, including her community. As she puts it, “We can do things alone, but how much better is it with other people?” 

“We can do things alone, but how much better is it with other people?” –Laurie Hernandez on the power of community in season 2, episode 1

Community care is something Laurie continues to this day. She’s a longtime Learning Ambassador for KPMG, and she’s one of our collaborators in achieving equitable education access for all.

Subscribe to the new season of Most Likely To now and get to know how icons like Laurie got their start. Incredible journeys await your students! 

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CONTACT:

amy@goodpolicypartners.com

media@donorschoose.org

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February 18, 2025 – Education nonprofit DonorsChoose today announced the results of Connecticut’s 2024 Connecticut Educator Support Funds Initiative—a $4 million investment of ARP ESSER funds by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to help public school educators access more resources for their individual classrooms. Through that investment, the CSDE was able to directly fund 4,634 DonorsChoose projects submitted by Connecticut teachers requesting resources for 756 schools across the state.

The Connecticut State Department of Education’s 2024 partnership with DonorsChoose was the first in the state’s history, allowing the Department of Education to invest in teacher-led projects. As Commissioner Russell-Tucker stated when this initiative launched, “Connecticut is home to excellent educators, and they deserve to be celebrated. Teachers work enthusiastically on behalf of our students every single day, fostering classroom environments where students are encouraged to be curious and take risks, and where student learning, growth, and well-being is always at the forefront. This investment emphasizes how important our educators are and how deeply we value the work they do on behalf of our state’s students.”  

Research out of the University of Michigan has shown that teacher-led investments can both reduce gaps in academic achievement and reduce teacher turnover. 

“Even small investments can really help to move the needle for individual students when those investments are targeted,” said Kirk Smiley, Managing Director of Government Partnerships at DonorsChoose. “That’s because teachers know their students well and can see precisely what barriers they face. They can identify exactly how to help their students make gains. We are so pleased by what Connecticut has been able to accomplish in giving its teachers this opportunity.”

Connecticut’s results, made public today by DonorsChoose, showcases Connecticut’s investments through the Connecticut Educator Support Fund and shows the impact of that effort on statewide priorities like literacy, special education, and innovation. 

“Teachers in every classroom have innovative ideas to engage their students in meaningful ways, but too often, a lack of funding stands in the way,” said CEA President Kate Dias. “This program not only provides immediate financial support for these initiatives but also offers valuable insights into the resources and tools educators need to ensure their students thrive.”

View the newly released data here.

As teachers, you’ve seen kids learn by doing more times than you can count. Whether you’re showing a student how to tie their shoes or helping them learn what happens when you mix an acid and a base, experiential learning is a favorite in most teachers’ toolkits. Research proves you’re right to employ these methods: hands-on, real-world experiences that foster active participation and creativity can help students retain up to 70% more information compared to traditional learning methods. 

So it’s no wonder that our partners at the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, with their passion for supporting teachers and students, created the Experiential Learning Innovation Challenge.

Teachers across the country shared projects focused on giving students opportunities to engage in activities that deepen their understanding through direct experience, exploration, problem-solving and connections to the world beyond the classroom.

The Top 10 Winners of the Maxwell/Hanrahan Learning Innovation Challenge

We called on teachers across the country to share their ideas for experiential learning, and a $500,000 grant helped participating teachers get key classroom materials. A group of DonorsChoose Teacher Ambassadors judged the teachers’ project submissions for innovation, student engagement, and learning impact.

Bring These Projects To Your Students 

Teachers, think any of these curriculum designs would be a big hit with your students? Copy the shopping cart of your favorite projects below to bring the supplies and lessons to your own classroom!

The 10 Winning Projects

Elementary School

Exploring STEM with Drones: Hands-On Learning for Future Innovators! | Mr. Puod, New Mexico

This teacher is using compelling tech to support his students’ physics and computer science education. Here’s to the future engineers, tech wizards and robotics innovators in his class!

Bilingual Biologists: Classroom Ecosystem Exploration | Mrs. Ezolt, Arizona

This request for science materials — including an AeroGarden and lab coats, among other supplies — gives English language learners a get-your-hands dirty classroom environment ripe for scientific discovery and vital language practice.

Middle School

Breaking Language Barriers Through Technology and Creative Expression | Mrs. Kathy Clark, Texas

This teacher merges technology with literacy development through translator pens and podcast equipment. We can’t wait to hear the stories her bilingual students have to tell!

A Blast from the Past! | Mrs. Peele, North Carolina

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how Mrs. Peele uses rocket launchers to teach aerodynamics, the laws of motion, and the physical forces that make flight possible.

Mission: Innovation — Drones Elevating Young Minds | Mrs. Clark, Alabama

This teacher’s request for drones transformed her school’s library into a hands-on, interactive STEM laboratory.

‍High School

Elegant Enchantment: Table Linens and More for Dinner Theater Magic | Mrs. Vlaming, Nevada

Mrs. Vlaming is bringing her students through the looking glass by having them create an Alice in Wonderland-themed dining experience! From chefs to actors, her students will practice teamwork and creativity — and maybe a bit of magic!

‍Detroit Students Building Leadership & Public Speaking Skills! | Dr. DeGarmo, Michigan

When students are passionate about a topic, learning often happens more easily. Encouraging passion and combining it with interview skills and public speaking experience sets students up for success far beyond the classroom.

Clear Air, Bright Minds: Classroom Air Filter Project | Ms. Wirts Pelayo, California

What could be more important than keeping the air we breathe clean? When Ms. Wirts Pelayo’s students measured higher-than-expected CO₂ levels in the classroom, she knew their next unit had to tackle clean air.

Unveiling the Anatomy: a Forensic Exploration Through Fetal Pig Autopsy | Mrs. Frazier, Arizona

With students expressing interest in forensic science, Mrs. Frazier sought ways to give her students hands-on experience with investigation approaches.

So, You Want to Be in Healthcare! | Dr. Lincecum, Massachusetts

All it took was five crucial learning kits to bring Dr. Lincecum’s innovative curriculum to life.  Now, budding nurses, doctors, and technicians are getting hands-on experience that is both unforgettable and practical.
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Want to support one of these innovative educators? Click on their profile to see what they're dreaming up!

You know that look when students learn about a job they love? They feel something click: I wanna do that! There’s no doubt that hearing from working professionals can help kids envision their future. But just how impactful is that experience? And how can we use research to improve our students’ odds of building futures they believe in?

Our partners at Amazon Future Engineer put their research into practice by creating Career Tours — free, standards-aligned curricular resources for 3rd–10th grade classes that connect what students are learning in the classroom with real world careers. 

While funds last, teachers who complete a Career Tour through Kahoot! with 20 or more students and fill out a short survey can earn $100 in DonorsChoose funding, thanks to Amazon Future Engineer! Keep reading to hear from three of the hundreds of teachers who’ve already tapped into these career readiness tools, and check available funding.

Research shows what teachers know — access to STEM careers isn’t yet equal

When Amazon Future Engineer and Gallup partnered to create the Careers of the Future Index, their research revealed that, across industries and education levels, STEM careers consistently rank high when it comes to income, job availability, job growth, and resistance to automation. Making sure all students understand the STEM careers available to them is crucial to giving them as many opportunities for success as possible.

But their research also revealed a roadblock. While computer science skills are among the most sought-after in the U.S. job market, many students — especially those with identities that are underrepresented in STEM — lack computer science learning opportunities in school and don’t see many role models who look like them thriving in STEM fields. 

Amazon Future Engineer discovered, down to the data point, that if we want our students to make informed career decisions, we need to help them envision their future.

Connecting students with real-world jobs, right from the classroom

Amazon Future Engineer set out to create a free curricular resource for 3rd–10th grade classes that connects what students are learning in the classroom with real-world careers. The result: Career Tours, a virtual set of field trips that inspire students to pursue careers of the future by exploring Amazon’s technologies. 

Students can dive into what it takes to write, produce, and release a song on streaming channels through Amazon Music; discover how pharmacists and engineers work together with robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning through Amazon Pharmacy; and even explore the technology on the Orion spacecraft in NASA’s Artemis I flight test. Each career tour highlights the diverse under-sung heroes of STEM careers and includes a full lesson plan for easy classroom adoption. Lesson plans are standards aligned, bringing key knowledge off the page. 

Teachers — and students — are buzzing about Career Tours

Amazon Future Engineer was confident Career Tours would meet a real classroom need and teachers agree! We’ve been thrilled to see that 95% of participating teachers feel satisfied or extremely satisfied with the Career Tour experience.

“Students are amazed by the various career options associated with a simple song,” says Ms. Xu, a high school teacher in Fresh Meadows, NY who took her class on a field trip into the world of music production. “The breakdown of each step in music production really shows students the unique and specific skill sets that exist.”

Mr. Ugalde, an elementary school teacher in San Jose, CA, found a similar response in his students after a virtual field trip through the Amazon Fulfillment Center. “The classroom is buzzing with discussions on how our robots, like the ones at Amazon, can be programmed to navigate and search for items, creating an atmosphere of excitement and inspiration.”

Career Tours can also help answer questions and solve misconceptions that young learners may have about various fields. With movies like Big Hero 6 and M3GAN popular among her middle school class, Ms. Novak found that her students felt worried about the future of AI. “Understanding the process [through Career Tours] made them so much more confident,” she says. 

Teachers’ feedback makes it clear: that connecting students with real-world experiences helps them feel excited about building their futures. We’re so grateful to be working with partners like Amazon Future Engineer and Gallup that are as dedicated as we are to getting teachers the tools they need!

Take your students on a Career Tour today

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When classrooms celebrate world cultures as part of an affirming and expansive learning environment for students, young children are more able to develop a positive sense of identity and build self-esteem. 

Lunar New Year is one of the world's most vibrant holidays centered around good fortune, lucky foods, and togetherness. This year, Lunar New Year falls on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Celebrated by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide, this colorful and rich holiday provides a great opportunity for teachers looking to bring other cultures into the classroom. For the third year in a row, we’re partnering with Panda Express, the largest family-owned and operated Asian dining concept in the U.S., for our Lunar New Year partnership, doubling donations to related projects and sharing a free Lunar New Year curriculum.

Starting today, December 18, Panda invites you to create a project to help students learn about and celebrate Lunar New Year for doubled donations.

Create a project

Panda Express’ Let’s Explore! Lunar New Year Program

In addition to doubling donations, Panda Express is sharing its “Let’s Explore!: Lunar New Year” program, a fun, free and educational resource for educators who are looking for ideas to bring Lunar New Year to life in their classrooms. 

The curriculum includes eight interactive activities that explore the rich traditions of Lunar New Year, like the meaning behind lucky foods eaten during the 15-day long celebration, the symbolism of lucky red envelopes, the importance of zodiac animals, and more. 

In addition to the digital curriculum, you’ll be sent a physical activity booklet that includes matching games, coloring templates, trivia, and step-by-step directions on how to make a Chinese Lantern and more, while supplies last. We encourage you to sign up for this limited-time interactive program! 

Learn more and sign up

Lunar New Year Project Inspiration

Looking for inspiration to take your classroom celebration to the next level? We want to share a few of our favorite Lunar New Year projects funded by Panda last year!

Mrs. Martes requested paper lanterns, dragon decorations, and books to help her students learn about Lunar New Year as part of a school-wide emphasis on celebrating culture.

“I am a firm believer that students who learn about different cultures during their education feel more comfortable and safe with these differences later in life.”

Mrs. Goo requested what she needed for read aloud stories and crafts with her first graders.

“My students are very inquisitive and always have questions to ask. Celebrating Lunar New Year is important to our classroom family.”

Ms. Jimenez brings her own culture into the classroom by teaching her students about Chinese holidays, especially Lunar New Year.

“This project is very important to me, and sharing the Lunar New Year books, decorations, and Chinese foods from Panda Express will bring a new experience to my students. We will learn about the Lunar New Year using the Panda Express curriculum along with eating foods from their restaurant.”

Want a few more ideas? Check out all the Lunar New Year projects funded by Panda Express last year!

We hope you’ll join us in deepening cultural education for today’s youth and acknowledging the cultural significance of one of the world’s most celebrated holidays! Create your project.

There are few writers who have made students laugh and enjoy reading more than Mo Willems. When you mention one of his instant classics like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Knuffle Bunny, or the Elephant and Piggie series to a student, their eyes light up without fail.

Mo’s storytelling chops and distinct art style have made him a household name in homes — and classrooms! — everywhere. But through his work with his wife Cher and their commitment to literacy, that impact goes even further. To the delight of public school teachers everywhere, part of that vital work includes supporting students through DonorsChoose.‍

Hear from Mo and Cher Willems about the books they love and why literacy means so much to them.

What book most changed how you see the world?
Mo: The George and Martha books by James Marshall showed me that you can remain friends even if you pour pea soup in their shoes.  Also, gold teeth are kind of cool.

What first inspired your love of literacy and reading?
Cher: As a kid, I loved getting lost in stories and would check out a sack of books every week.  I loved looking at the date stamps in the back of the book and feeling connected to all the other readers who had previously read the same words I was reading.  We no longer have those date stamps- but I still have the same feeling of being connected to the community of people around the world who have read the same book as me.  It's an awesome thought.

What advice would you give to students (or adults) who cannot seem to find the right book to read?
Mo: Go to the library!  Keep looking!  Ask a librarian!  And if all that fails, write and draw the book you want to see.  I’m sure someone else is waiting to read a book just like that.

Do you have a favorite library memory?
Cher: When I was young, I was a voracious reader and small for my age.  I remember the day I had grown just tall enough and was able to see the books on the upper library shelves because that was the day I discovered more books by a favorite author I loved on the shelf above!  What a great day!

Why are both of you committed to expanding literacy through organizations like DonorsChoose?
Cher: Books allow all kinds of people to immerse themselves in a story or a subject at the right pace for them.  We all need a refuge from time to time.  DonorsChoose helps us make that more possible, for more people.

Mo: If we expect students to do their very best, we need to provide them with the best tools.  Philanthropy is a poor substitute for policy, but we want teachers and students to know we’re cheering them on as best we can.

And the all important half question, finish this sentence: Books are…
Friends! 

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DonorsChoose was founded by a public school teacher in 2000 with one simple idea: If teachers had an easy way to share what their students need, people would want to help. Since then, teachers in 89% of America’s public schools have requested items through DonorsChoose, and people across the country have helped bring over $1.7 billion in supplies to their classrooms. 

For teachers, there are two ways to request supplies through DonorsChoose.

• Classroom projects offer maximum flexibility, often bringing out teachers’ dreams for their students. Teachers can shop for whatever supplies they need — from microscopes to tablets to musical instruments — from a bunch of different vendors. The teacher writes a few sentences about their students, and donors jump in to fund the project. When the full project is funded, our team has the materials shipped right to the classroom.
  See example projects

• Lists for classroom essentials allow teachers to create a quick list for basic classroom items, without any writing, project submission, or minimum costs. Once a list has been published, donors can donate to support a teacher’s list. When teachers receive enough funding for any one item, they can immediately submit an order for that specific item, and it's shipped right to you. 
  ‍See example lists

Still not sure which is the right choice for you right now? Take our quiz to find which type of request is best for your classroom needs!

Do you just need basic supplies?‍

YES, I just need basic supplies like pencils, paper, tissues, and wipes.
Create a list for essentials. Instead of dropping by the store on your way home to pick up those everyday items your classroom can’t live without, let donors fund your shopping list and we’ll send the materials directly 

NO, I need other items like books, seat cushions, paint brushes, gardening supplies, and more. 
Create a project to get the exact materials you’re envisioning for your students. If you need reading material, technology, classroom furniture, or subject-specific items — projects are for you! (And don’t worry, you can add basic supplies to your project, too; projects are all about flexibility!) 

Do you prefer specific brands? 

YES, I need specific brands!
Create a project. You’ll be able to shop all the DonorsChoose vendors at once: AKJ Education, Amazon, Best Buy Education, Blick Art Materials, Lakeshore, LEGO Education, Scholastic Classroom Magazines & Book Clubs, and many, many more.

NO, I just need the basics, no matter what brand they are.
Create a list for essentials. You can get a quick shipment of pencils, crayons, bandages, disinfecting wipes, or other basic items.

Do you want funding help from our partners?

YES, I would like to take advantage of partner funding if it becomes available.
Create a project. Throughout the year, our corporation and foundation partners match donations to projects. Sometimes they’ll jump in to help projects from a certain area of the country (i.e. neighborhoods, regions, and states). Other times, a partner will want to support requests for certain supplies or subject area (think: books, STEM supplies, requests supporting special needs students). And in really special moments each year, a partner will match donations to every single project on the site. If you’d like your request to be open to these opportunities, a project is for you!

No; partner support would be nice, but it’s more important to me to get each individual item as it’s funded.
Create a list for essentials. No waiting for a full project to be funded — your items can be on their way as soon as a donor funds the first one!

Studies now prove what teachers have known for decades: learning gamification can boost motivation, enhance memory recall, and improve student performance. Weaving together fun with hands-on learning helps students feel empowered, retain information, and accomplish their goals in and outside the classroom. 

But bringing new education technology into classrooms is nowhere near as easy as 1-2-3. Introducing tools to entire school districts can mean navigating complex, slow-moving contracting and procurement processes. Beyond that, teachers are already strapped for time, and student privacy considerations mean that getting their feedback — an essential piece in launching any technology product — can be daunting.

So how can a company overcome those feedback challenges to bring new products into classrooms that create lasting, impactful change? Together, BUILD.org and DonorsChoose took a grassroots, teacher-centric approach to this question, and it paid off — big time. 

Understanding the true value of frontline wisdom  

BUILD.org is dedicated to empowering kids in under-resourced communities with the career skills, entrepreneurial mindset, opportunities, and connections they need to achieve economic power and freedom. Their newest offering, FamBiz, is a CEO simulation game for 7th-12th graders that transforms entrepreneurship skill-building into a gamified adventure. As students play, they shape their own entrepreneurial journey by navigating critical choices in team dynamics, product development, consumer research, and more. Made free and accessible to all thanks to a partnership under Comcast NBCUniversal’s Project UP Initiative, FamBiz has the potential to inspire students’ entrepreneurship, leadership, and grit.

DonorsChoose shares BUILD’s mission of student empowerment. In the 2023-24 school year, nearly a quarter of a million teachers used DonorsChoose to request what their students needed, and since our founding in 2000, 89% of US public schools have at least one teacher who’s requested materials through our site. By connecting teachers and classrooms in need with a community of over 6 million donors and sponsors, DonorsChoose proves every day that we won’t stop until every student has what they need to succeed.

A grassroots approach to product adoption

Both BUILD.org and DonorsChoose understand that teachers are the key to any meaningful change in the classroom. They’re excellent word-of-mouth marketers — teachers trust each others’ recommendations above everything else. BUILD.org knew that if they wanted to encourage long-term adoption of FamBiz, they’d need to engage teachers and get their direct feedback to make that happen. BUILD.org also recognized DonorsChoose’s reputation with teachers and district leaders alike — if DonorsChoose recommended FamBiz, teachers would be excited to try it out. 

BUILD.org began by tapping into DonorsChoose’s active and engaged audience of innovative teachers. As an incentive and thank-you, participating teachers would receive a $300 DonorsChoose gift card, provided by Comcast, that they could use to stock their classrooms. 

With just one email, DonorsChoose inspired 888 teachers to sign up for FamBiz in advance of the launch.

Leveraging feedback to create lasting change

Building on that success, BUILD.org then leveraged DonorsChoose’s robust feedback mechanisms to iterate and improve their product for future users. 

BUILD.org tapped into three feedback streams: Teachers wrote questions to DonorsChoose Customer Support. Upon receiving their questions, our team identified trends to share back with BUILD.org, leading to informed improvements in user experience.

1. After leading their students through FamBiz, teachers reported their experience and the tool’s impact on their students to DonorsChoose via a survey.
2. Integrated student reflections and end-of-experience student surveys provided immediate feedback on student learning and student engagement.

In return, not only did the BUILD team receive crucial user feedback on FamBiz, but teachers used their DonorsChoose gift cards to bring learning materials to students in hundreds of classrooms. A new learning tool crossed the daunting bridge of receiving classroom input, and teachers received the help they needed.

We’re totally blown away by what can be accomplished when we let teacher wisdom guide product development and roll-out. The partnership between DonorsChoose, BUILD.org, and Comcast highlights that when we listen to teachers about what classrooms need, we can help be a part of a brighter future for all students. We’re so grateful to our partners at BUILD.org and Comcast for putting their community values into practice to create lasting change!

Visit our Partner Center to learn how you can work with DonorsChoose to achieve your organization’s goals.

Ms. Willis, a high school teacher in Starkville, Mississippi, will tell you that representation in books matters:

“Many of my students have never been able to make a personal connection with a book. One student told me that he'd never seen a mixed race person in a book and that he didn't believe that anyone had ever written about people like him.

Another student said she had never read a book with a black female as the main character unless the person was a slave or a civil rights activist, no one just doing everyday things. Everyone deserves to look into a book and see their own reflection.”

“Representative Resources” is teacher-speak for what kids innately want in the books on their classroom shelves — a book they can relate to.

Mrs. Swigut’s 4th graders in Sommerville, Massachusetts explains:

"[We want] to get more books of identities that we don't see enough. This includes LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people from other countries, and people of different races. We are requesting diverse books because we don’t want kids who, for example, are in a wheelchair to feel like there’s nobody they can relate to. We want kids to see people like them, but also we want people to see that everybody is not the same. [We want] to get people to know there's a bigger world out there." — Corrina

"If you don't see yourself in books, you might feel invisible." — Isaac

We asked students of all ages about the books that changed their lives. Here are the Authors, Books, and Characters that inspired them.

A: What AUTHOR fueled your ASPIRATIONS?

Lauren, 8th Grade
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez
“I like Erika Sanchez’s story I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter because I know what it’s like to grow up in a culture that’s different to the one my parents grew up in.”

Hannah, 11th Grade
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
‍“I really enjoyed reading Born A Crime by Trevor Noah, because learning about the challenges he faced in his life gives me ideas of how to handle challenges in mine.”

B: What BOOK helped you BE YOURSELF?

JJ, 4th Grade
Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
“I like Abdul’s Story because Abdul makes mistakes like I do. I like that he learns from his mistakes.”  

Ally, 8th Grade
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
“I like Fish In A Tree because it talks about the experience of dyslexia.”

Pearl, 8th Grade 
El Deafo by Cece Bell
“A book where I felt seen and understood was El Deafo because it shows someone wearing a medical device, and I wear one too.”

C: What CHARACTER helped you feel CONFIDENT?

Guadalupe, 12th Grade
Nuestro mundo: Level 3 Spanish Short Story Collection by Dirk Esterline
“Emilia inspired me to stay true to myself as she showed her passion. I love the story because I am a native Spanish speaker and this book is written in Spanish.  I was able to share my culture with my classmates when we read this story.”

Miluna, 1st Grade
Selena by Silvia Lopez
“I like books that show me what I can be when I grow up!”

Noble, 2nd Grade 
Weirdo by Tony Weaver, Jr
“I love Weirdo because it shows Tony finding his community.”

DonorsChoose teachers know a classroom where students feel seen is crucial to learning. One great way to make that happen? Graphic novels! With a keen ability to break down complex topics in vivid illustrations and straightforward text, graphic novels are a natural resource for kids looking to see themselves reflected in literature. Here’s a list of 11 great graphic novels with stories that champion representation.

Ty’s Travels by Kelly Styling Lyons (Illustrations by Niña Mata)

For beginning readers (grades preK-2+) Ty is a young boy with a big imagination, who turns everyday moments into fantastical adventures. These comics are great for new readers with its rhythmic but easy-to-read text and vibrant illustrations. As an added bonus, every story is full of family love, Black joy, and endearing characters!

Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen

For elementary school readers and older (grades 3–5+). Mia is a part of both Muscogee & Jewish cultures. When she takes a fateful bus trip to her father to get more in touch with her Native heritage in Oklahoma, she also begins a journey of defining both identities on her own terms.

Invisible by Cristina Diaz Gonzalez

For elementary age and older (grades 3-5+). When five middle schoolers are thrown together for community service they have seemingly nothing in common beyond speaking Spanish. But it soon becomes clear working together and sharing hidden truths may be the only way to help someone new. 

El Deafo by Cece Bell

‍For elementary readers and older (grades 3-5+): A young bunny navigates school, friendship, and life with hearing loss in a both heartwarming and humorous story that is loosely based (read: she is not a bunny) on the author’s own childhood.

It Won’t Always Be Like This by Malaka Gharib

For elementary school readers and older (grades 3-5+). A young girl tries her very best to remain grounded amid her father’s remarriage and his new family in Egypt. An autobiographical memoir, this graphic novel explores coming-of-age while coming-to-know a new country and culture all at once.

Drama by Raina Telgemeier 

For middle-school readers and older (grades 6-8+). Raina Telgemeier may just be the queen of the middle school storylines; her books are teacher-requested and beloved by students. Take Drama for example. A graphic novel about friendship, new crushes, and being a theater kid all in one. Kids love this wonderfully fun storyline with coming-of-age perfection and positive LGBTQ themes. 

New Kid by Jerry Craft

‍For middle school readers and older (grades 6-8+). Follow Jordan, a Black student navigating a new school where he's one of the few kids of color. Both honest and warmhearted, this award-winning story by the author of Class Act will fuel important conversations on race, friendship, and belonging for students of all backgrounds.

Magic Fish by Tiến Phong

For middle school readers and older (grades 6-8+). Young Tiến, a second generation Vietnamese American, helps his mother learn English through fairy tales. When Tiến tries to find the right way to come out to his parents, he finds it’s the same stories that help him through.  

Booked (Part of the Crossover Series) by Kwame Alexander

For middle school readers and older (grades 6-8+). Dive into the world of soccer and the power of words with this captivating book. Written in verse, this story offers a fresh way to explore lessons about family, friendship, race, and bullies all in one. Follow it up with Crossover also by Kwame Alexander!

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

For high school readers and older (grades 9-12+). Travel to 1970s Iran during the Islamic Revolution in this powerful memoir that explores  identity, family, and coming-of-age amidst political upheaval as told through the eyes of young Marjane.

Genderqueer by Maia Kobabe

For high school readers and older (grades 11-12+). What does it mean to be beyond the gender binary? This memoir explores exactly that as we join the author’s own journey of self-discovery and identity through adolescence as they ultimately find out and what it means for them to identify beyond the gender binary. 

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There is no tool more powerful than a good story to build empathy and promote self-esteem. Teachers tell us time and again: stories have the ability to foster learning, acceptance, growth, and affirmation. 

As award-winning author Tananarive Due put it, “Diversity should just be called “reality.” Your books, your TV shows, your movies, your articles, your curricula need to reflect reality.”

Mrs. Weigand, a dual language teacher in a Title 1 elementary school expands on this idea: “When our students see themselves reflected in these books the positive impact is almost immeasurable. Having quality role models to read about creates positive ripples in schools and communities.”

‍For teachers, having intentional, inclusive reading materials in your classroom can support the full development of your students, regardless of who they are or where they come from. Here’s why:

Windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors

Educator Emily Style was the first to coin the term “windows and mirrors” in 1988 as a way of naming storytelling’s power. In 1990, well-known children’s literature researcher Rudine Sims Bishop expanded that term to include “sliding glass doors,” specifically when talking about children’s books. In using these terms, both Style and Sims Bishop meant that a powerful collection of children’s books should serve as:

1. Windows into the lived realities of other people

2. Mirrors for the reader, reflecting their own lives and experiences back to them

3. Sliding glass doors that help readers walk into a story and become a part of a world created by the author

Let’s take Jessica Love’s Julián Is A Mermaid as an example. Julián Is A Mermaid can function as a mirror for LGBTQ+ children, for students who live in urban settings, or for students who have a special relationship with their grandparent. On the flip side — for kids who live in rural or suburban settings — this book can be a window into life in an urban neighborhood. For every reader, Julián Is A Mermaid offers an engaging, colorful, and immersive world, or a sliding glass door, that celebrates all the ways in which we are different. 

“Reading books like Julian is a Mermaid, Thank you Omu, and Proudest Blue help my students feel seen. It is so important for my students to have books that they can identify with. These are characters that tell stories similar to their own experiences. Their stories are not just their own, but now a shared experience with the whole class. This allows us to meet people who are different than us, and helps us to build those bridges of understanding. As we work on learning about ourselves, each other, and our emotions students need to see characters that look like them and go through similar experiences. We will explore our own identity, who we are, what we want/need, and our emotions. These books will help us do just that!” 

— Creating a Classroom Library That's Reflective of its Students, a project from Ms. Ferguson, elementary school, West Roxbury, MA

How to make sure your students get both windows and mirrors

The bottom line is that children need windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors in their learning material to help them grow into the best versions of themselves… but, because relatively few books are published that feature people of color, people with disabilities, those who identify with the LGBTQ+ community, and members of other marginalized communities, some children only get to experience windows. This teacher from Arizona summarizes the value of diverse books best:

“When students can see themselves in books it is an amazing thing. It helps to give them a voice. It is empowering. When students see others represented in books it helps them to learn acceptance, empathy, and equity.”

Classroom libraries that include a variety of stories and characters help students feel and understand the breadth of experiences and opportunities in this world.

How to expand diversity in your classroom library

For an easy place to start, check out these DonorsChoose projects from teachers requesting books that focus on representation. For specific title recommendations, consider this resource from the DonorsChoose blog.

For younger students, the age-appropriate picture books you choose for your young readers can build a solid foundation. Indiana pre-K teacher Ms. Moriarity shares this:

“Inclusive and diverse texts help me strengthen our classroom community, the school family we work so hard to build from day one. I want the literature I choose to share with students to be relevant to their daily lives and act as a mirror to see themselves and their families, or as vehicles to build empathy for people who are different from them.”

For older grades, consider inviting your students’ recommendations. We’ll leave you with these words from Ms. Sloane about her high schoolers in Texas. They helped her curate her classroom collection:

“[My] selection of books has been hand picked by students over the last couple of years as books they actually want to read. That is another goal of mine — to provide less book lists to choose from and let the students create their own lists. This generates ownership and excitement and a much more diverse set of books than I would have ever found.”