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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Zavolas from Newark, NJ is requesting instructional technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Zavolas is requesting

Every Voice Matters: AAC Devices & Books to Empower Students

Help me give my students I work with children with communication deficits in Newark, NJ. This project provides essential AAC devices and books to trial and identify the best-fit tools, empowering every child’s voice and potential for success.

  • 2 donors
  • $947 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Zavolas for her next project!

Help Mrs. Zavolas

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Zavolas for her next project!

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Project

Imagine not being able to express your thoughts, needs, or feelings—this is the reality for many of my students in Newark, NJ, who have severe communication challenges. As a speech therapist, I work with incredible students who are eager to learn and connect with the world around them, but they need the right tools to do so.

My students are resilient, determined, and capable—they just need a voice.

Many of them are nonverbal or have limited verbal communication, and AAC devices give them a way to express themselves. However, access to these tools is limited, making it difficult to find the best fit for each child.

With your support, I can provide essential AAC devices, including the Ablenet QuickTalker 23, Ablenet QuickTalker 12, Ablenet Jellybean Switch, and a Visual Communication Book with real photos. These tools will allow my students to communicate their thoughts, wants, and needs more effectively. Additionally, I am requesting books that will help teach and reinforce AAC use:

• All About Core: An Alphabet Book for Emerging Readers

• Core Words for Classroom & Home: Developing Verbal Communication Skills and AAC Abilities

• Something to Say About My Communication Device

These resources will help my students develop their language skills, engage in learning, and build confidence in their ability to communicate. My goal for this project is to give my students access to multiple communication tools so that we can trial different options and determine what works best for each individual.

Every child deserves the chance to be heard. With your help, my students will gain the communication tools they need to express themselves, connect with their peers, and reach their full potential. Thank you for being a part of their journey!

Mrs. Zavolas Louise A. Spencer Elementary School Grades PreK-2

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 Mrs. Zavolas

Newark, NJ View local requests

More than three‑quarters 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

50 students impacted 2donors

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You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

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

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
AbleNet QuickTalker 23 - Portable Multi-Message Speech Device with FeatherTouch Technology, 103 Messages, 5 Recording Levels, and Durable Design, AAC Communication Device for Non Verbal Kids & Adults • Amazon Business $265.00 1 $265.00
AbleNet QuickTalker 12 - Portable Multi-Message Speech Device with FeatherTouch Technology, 48 Messages, 5 Recording Levels, and Durable Design, AAC Communication Device for Non Verbal Kids & Adults • Amazon Business $259.73 1 $259.73
Visual Communication Book,162 ASD Photo Picture Cards: Autism Language Vocabulary, Speech Articulation Therapy, ADHD & Aprexia Learning (English Plastic Real Photo Book, Large) • Amazon Business $104.50 1 $104.50
AbleNet Jelly Bean Switch - Versatile Assistive Device for Enhanced Accessibility - AAC Device Button for Disabled and Handicapped - Product Number 10033400 • Amazon Business $74.00 1 $74.00
Core Words for Classroom & Home: Developing Verbal Communication Skills and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Abilities • Amazon Business $34.95 1 $34.95
Something to Say about My Communication Device • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
All About Core: An Alphabet Book for Emerging Readers • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99

Materials cost

$763.16

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$11.45

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$804.61

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$141.99

Total project goal

$946.60

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $946.60

1 Donor

-$402.30

Donations toward project cost

-$402.30

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$0.00

match offer

-$473.31

Match offer toward project cost

-$402.31

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$71.00

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$70.99

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Zavolas and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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