Classroom Supplies to Aid in Productivity and Efficiency

Funded Aug 14, 2024

When I first saw that people had given to my project, I was so excited. I had never done anything like this before and wasn't really sure how well it would do. I didn't want to ask my family as they have always helped me in the past. The generosity of total strangers was absolutely amazing!

The day the first box arrived, my students and I were so excited. I decided to wait until all boxes arrived before we opened any of them. This really built up our excitement! Once they were all there, we took turns opening them all up. My classroom was in dire need of new whiteboards, markers, erasers, clipboards and privacy folders. It was so much fun handing them out to each student and watching them be as excited as I was.

It's amazing how much more engaged they are when they get to use the whiteboards, especially during Math. Many of them would never volunteer to answer a question or even attempt to work out a problem. They would wait for someone else to answer the question and see how they solved it. Now they love it when I say take out your whiteboards and they are ready to try the work on their own. I try to incorporate the use of these whenever possible, to keep them engaged and learning. These boards also help me as a teacher check for understanding much quicker, by having them hold their boards up in the air. I can also see their Math work much easier and if they made a mistake, I am able to catch it much quicker than by collecting papers to check. The privacy folders are used with every test or quiz the students take. I let the class decide on what they wanted to call them and they voted on calling them "their offices". There are many times, that students will go and get them on their own to use when completing independent work. They say they can concentrate better and it helps them think more with less distractions.

My students and I were very surprised and grateful to know that The Gates Foundation also helped fund my project. It is very humbling to know that such a large and well-known group would help a school across the country with fulfilling a wish list. We are all beyond thankful for everyone's generosity. It will not be forgotten.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Wertheimer