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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Helgeson from Anchorage, AK is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Helgeson is requesting

Diverse Books For Our Classroom

Help me give my students new diverse books for our classroom book collection.

  • $300 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Helgeson for her next project!

Help Ms. Helgeson

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Helgeson for her next project!

My Students

My school is a true melting pot of cultures, economic statuses, homes, and families. This school is considered high poverty; over 60% of our students are economically disadvantaged, and our school has now qualified for free lunch and breakfast for our students.

We have over 10 different cultural backgrounds in our classroom with such diversity as Alaska Native, Samoan, Russian, and American Indian.

While studying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of my students answered the question "What do you think Dr. King would say about our classroom?" One answered, "He would say that our class is his dream come true." Which is exactly right. We are such a wonderful mix of persons.

My Project

My goal is to increase diverse representation in our classroom library so that our books showcase diverse characters and stories - so that my classroom library truly represents my classroom diversity. My class is incredibly diverse - they come from varied backgrounds and represent various religions, cultures, languages, and beliefs. We need more books that represent and honor their diversity.

Students need to and should see themselves in the books they are reading.

Representation matters. Students need to see books that showcase characters that look like them, explain and represent their beliefs, show their cultural practices, and honor their diversity. These books would increase diverse representation in my classroom library and allow my students greater access to high-quality books with diverse characters.

Ms. Helgeson College Gate Elementary School Grades 3-5

Equity Focus

At this school, more than 50% of students are Black, Latino, and/or Native American, and more than 50% come from low-income households. Learn how your donation to this school supports a more equitable education.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. Helgeson

Anchorage, AK View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

30 students impacted 4donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Helgeson is requesting.

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
Wishtree • Amazon Business $10.02 2 $20.04
Speak Up • Amazon Business $16.19 1 $16.19
The Magical Yet • Amazon Business $16.19 1 $16.19
The Circles All Around Us • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Roll with It • Amazon Business $7.99 2 $15.98
Save Me a Seat (Scholastic Gold) • Amazon Business $7.99 2 $15.98
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family • Amazon Business $15.97 1 $15.97
The Day You Begin • Amazon Business $14.42 1 $14.42
We Are Water Protectors • Amazon Business $14.38 1 $14.38
Pink Is for Boys • Amazon Business $14.25 1 $14.25
Shai & Emmie Star in To the Rescue! (A Shai & Emmie Story) • Amazon Business $6.99 2 $13.98
Shai & Emmie Star in Dancy Pants! (A Shai & Emmie Story) • Amazon Business $5.99 2 $11.98
Shai & Emmie Star in Break an Egg! (A Shai & Emmie Story) • Amazon Business $5.99 2 $11.98
Big Feelings • Amazon Business $9.13 1 $9.13
Don't Touch My Hair! • Amazon Business $7.99 1 $7.99

Materials cost

$214.45

Vendor shipping charges

$3.99

Sales tax

$3.22

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.22

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$254.88

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$44.98

Total project goal

$299.86

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$299.86

3 Donors

-$186.97

Donations toward project cost

-$175.42

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$11.55

match offer

-$93.48

Match offer toward project cost

-$79.46

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$14.02

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$19.41

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

$0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

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