From Deseret News archives:

Web of wishes: Service helps teachers get supplies for classrooms

Published: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 12:40 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Teachers trying to teach literature without books or advanced math without calculators: take heart. The Web wants to net you a benefactor.

DonorsChoose.org, touted in a public unveiling last week, is available to Utah teachers to post online their needs, wants and wishes. Donors can make them come true.

It's kind of like a match-making service of sorts. As such, some participating teachers seek to stand out — some by posting pictures; others, a snappy poem. And several go for the catchy headline, like "Calculators + Problem Solving = Fun With Math" and "Tickle My Classroom with Elmo!"

Others are no frills: "We Need To Learn to Read So We Can Succeed."

One teacher, Mr. T, includes a history lesson with his pitch "Underfunded History Dept. Seeks Document Camera":

"Our school is in Utah, which, unfortunately, spends less money per student than ANY other state," Mr. T writes. "Our materials and resources suffer greatly because of lack of funding. Because of the lack of spending on our public schools in Utah, we face a great need for support from generous people who care about education."

The program has been spreading by word of mouth.

Story continues below
Lincoln Elementary fifth-grade teacher Julianne Paul heard about it on an online postcard exchange with other teachers a few years back, when a California teacher talked about how it had helped her classroom. When the program opened up to teachers nationwide last September, Paul, whose school is in inner-city Salt Lake City, immediately signed up.

"The thing about our school is it's very low income, so things another school might have their PTA buy for them ... we don't have as many options," Paul said. "This gave us another option."

Utah teachers for years have spent their own money on classroom supplies. And for years, the Legislature has reimbursed them some. Next school year, teachers, mostly new ones, will divvy up $10 million, receiving about $300 apiece for supplies. The money is nice, but doesn't come near to covering the bill, which some teachers have said exceeds $1,000 out of pocket.

DonorsChoose can fill in the gap. Since September, Paul has had three wishes granted: A camera for her projector, headphones with microphones and recording device to help students with reading fluency, and several sets of books. In all, about $700 worth of equipment.

Paul says several other teachers at Lincoln have received money through DonorsChoose.org.

Recent comments

It's stories like this which have continually rained on my thoughts...

Phil in New Zealand | March 26, 2008 at 12:32 p.m.

Utah has a unique organization funded by Utah's credit unions. It's...

100% for Kids | March 26, 2008 at 9:05 a.m.

Why shouldn't a teacher have a digital camera? computer? all the...

Science Teacher | March 26, 2008 at 7:05 a.m.

Image

Lincoln Elementary School student Flor Lee uses sound equipment donated to teacher Julianne Paul's classroom.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...

I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...

Price injured; Miles has cast removed

hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...

Jazz blow big lead, hang on

play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...

I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...

Thousands protest health bill

That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...

What exactly were Nephite interpreters?

I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...

I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...

U. hopes to keep clicking

BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...

NFL: Midseason grades

i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!

Advertisements
Advertisement