Helen Street Teacher Wants Technology for Students

Helen Street Fourth Grade Teacher Joan Spector sees how excited her students get learning on technology such as tablet computers. But the district's tight budget doesn't allow for such purchases, so she is hoping to raise money on donorschoose.org to buy a tablet and associated software for use in her classroom.

About Donorschoose.org: 

DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need.

Here's how it works: public school teachers from every corner of America post classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org. Requests range from pencils for a poetry writing unit, to violins for a school recital, to microscope slides for a biology class.

Then, you can browse project requests and give any amount to the one that inspires you. Once a project reaches its funding goal, we deliver the materials to the school.

You'll get photos of your project taking place, a thank-you letter from the teacher, and a cost report showing how each dollar was spent. If you give over $50, you'll also receive hand-written thank-you letters from the students.

At DonorsChoose.org, you can give as little as $1 and get the same level of choice, transparency, and feedback that is traditionally reserved for someone who gives millions. We call it citizen philanthropy.

About Ms. Spector's Project: 

Do you want to help inspire and motivate students? As a recent Masters graduate with a degree in educational technology, I have seen firsthand what technology can bring to the classroom. These resources that we are requesting will greatly inspire my students to learn.

My school is located in New Haven County in CT. We are located in a less affluent part of town, but that does not prevent my student from being enthusiastic learners! My students are highly diverse, both racially and financially, but we have made a wonderful classroom where we are all there for the same purpose: to learn.

My school has 70 percent minority students and 55 percent of free and reduced lunch students. Any assistance that you could provide would be most appreciated!

By having a tablet computer in my classroom, it would enable my students to learn and play anywhere in the room. They could sit at their desks and do research, or even chat through Skype with our pen pals! I could use this at my desk with my students when teaching small groups. The possibilities are endless.

If we had the interactive educational games, it could make learning SO much more fun for the kids. I already purchased one of these games out of my own pocket for the kids, and so far they are loving it! They get to come to the interactive whiteboard and play games all while learning important skills. We would love to add more to our collection.

I have so many ideas and hopes for my students. I am hoping by adding a tablet computer and educational games to my classroom, I can make learning fun and interesting for my students. I want them to come to school excited about the games they could play and things they could learn. Thank you for looking at our project and we hope you can help!

The total cost requested is $1,0016.47, and so far $170 has been pledged, leaving a balance needed of $846.47. The fundraising deadline is Tuesday, so make a donation today!

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=643752&verify=-2082264067