Just because the holidays are over doesn't mean that the spirit of giving has gone into hibernation. There are hundreds of people out there looking to donate supplies and funding to classroom teachers. Could you be on their list?
Especially if you work in an under-served neighborhood, you probably struggle with having enough supplies and getting funding for trips and guest speakers. I know I do, and I have already spent a couple hundred dollars this year out of my own pocket to make up some of the deficit. Even that is not enough.
Enter DonorsChoose, a website that connects you, humble classroom teacher, with donors across the country who are interested in sponsoring educational projects. The process is easy and the rewards are excellent. Just come up with a project you'd like to do with your kids, find the supplies on their easy online store, post your proposal and wait for the money to roll in. I recently posted a project and it was funded within a day. Not all projects are that lucky, but 80% are funded within the first month or two that they are up. It's a great site that I highly recommend.
And if you are not a teacher or don't have significant need at your school, consider funding a proposal. On the site, you can search for the right one by region, subject area or look for the ones that are most urgently needed. It's a great way to give back and you get to see the effect your donation has. That's right. The teacher you help will send you thank you notes from his or her students, as well as photos of the kids using the items purchased through your generosity.
It does take some time for the money to be raised and then for the materials to get to you (one added bonus of the site is that they order the supplies for you and ship them directly to your school, saving you valuable time). So think at least a few months ahead. What project would you like to be doing with your kids in April or May? And if you get over-excited like I do, you can even post more than one project at a time. So get cracking and get some brand new supplies!
very informational... educative as well, i read and felt like reading over and over again....good job!
Posted by: Acai Optimum | 03/24/2010 at 09:26 PM