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Help for Teachers

I just recently heard this story on National Public Radio (which is, in my opinion, one of our country's treasures) about DonorsChoose.org.

It is about an online site where teachers can present ideas and request the funds for needed materials to implement those ideas from those inclined to make contributions.

Well, I wish I had known about it while I was still teaching but it is worth passing on to those who still teach or love someone who still teaches.

It is kind of sad, though, that some teachers have to use it to get basic things like paper and pencils for their students.

Comments

  1. Linda ReederMarch 25, 2015 at 8:27 PM

    I have donated several times to projects that former colleagues of mine, still teaching, have registered on Donors Choose. It's a good program.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 26, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    Teachers do pay a lot for their supplies, unfortunately. But it is still a noble profession.

    ReplyDelete
  3. TomMarch 26, 2015 at 10:42 AM

    I agree it's sad that teachers don't have some extra funds to buy extra materials for their students. (I know B sometimes spends her own money for library materials, for the same reason.) And in the absence of appropriate funding, this is a great idea! But ... something seems not quite right in the story. A copy of "Fast Food Nation" costs a little over $8 on amazon. Does this teacher have almost 100 students in her class?

    ReplyDelete
  4. MuffieMarch 26, 2015 at 11:33 AM

    Every year, we had teachers' wish lists which were given to the PTA who shared with parents and friends. We were able to get a lot of much-needed supplies that way -- especially for decorating bulletin boards. Of course, I still needed to purchase many things on my own, but I accepted that as my lot as a teacher. It is sad that teachers need to rely on charity to get basic supplies. What does that say about our country?
    BTW, I, too, love NPR!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Linda MyersMarch 26, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    Donors Choose is one of the online sites I contribute to. It's fun, especially, when they match me up to a teacher in my own community.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownMarch 26, 2015 at 2:58 PM

    Amara's teacher has posted on Donors Choose because they need more books for the classroom. It is unfortunate how much teachers have to come up with out of their own pockets. At Amara's school the teachers get 1 ream of paper "per month" for a class with 30 students -- it doesn't last the month! Kleenex is another big one she often needs. Fortunately there are places like Donors Choose where they can hopefully get some assistance..

    ReplyDelete
  7. Arkansas PattiMarch 26, 2015 at 4:47 PM

    Thank goodness there is such a program but it is sad that it is needed. Not only are teachers underpaid but they have to take what little pay they get to buy supplies for their kids.
    I love NPR also but can't get it here so I have to get the pod casts from the Internet.

    ReplyDelete
  8. KayMarch 29, 2015 at 3:18 AM

    This sounds like a terrific program. I wish they had it when I was teaching too. I do think every teacher ends up dipping into their own funds for their classroom and for some needy children.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jenn JilksMarch 30, 2015 at 5:26 PM

    It is wrong, isn't it?
    We get paid more in Canada, but most of us buy stuff from our own pockets.

    ReplyDelete

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