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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Vest from Alexander City, AL is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Vest is requesting

Research is a Nasty Word

My junior and senior English students can benefit from having a "stash" of supplies available to them for their research papers, including 5 flash drives, index cards, print cartridges, and leatherette folders.

  • $468 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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Help Mrs. Vest

Each of my junior and senior English classes is a mixed bag. A typical class (of 30 or 31) for me might be students from the general population in addition to an ELL or two, and five to ten students with IEPs (some of whom are working toward a regular diploma while others will receive a certificate of attendance.) For those students are are working toward a regular diploma and are college bound, learning to write an effective research paper is vital. Once they reach college, they will be expected to know the process, so my role in helping them to succeed in college is important. In recent years, our community has faced the loss of many jobs. To an extent, this has caused a shift in the make up of our student population.

A majority of my students come from lower middle-class families, and quite a few are from families who are at or near the poverty level. Because of this, purchasing supplies can be difficult, especially since almost every teacher requires something. When we begin the research process, it makes very little sense to ask someone who may not have had breakfast to purchase an entire pack of index cards when he or she might need only seven or eight. I encourage them to pool their resources, but for the students who have nothing to pool, it can be embarrassing.

When we begin doing research, students are required to purchase both 3 x 5 and 4 x 6 index cards, and I recommend that they purchase a flash drive. Some of them are able to do so, but for those who aren't, it would be a huge help if I had a stockpile of cards for them. If I had several flash drives that could be made available for student use only, it would truly benefit them. Students are able to print papers in the media center, but there is a charge. If they can save their papers to a flash drive, they can print from my computer in my classroom. I create research packets for my students. These packets contain all of the handouts that they will need as we go through the process. The pocket portfolios and colored paper would be used to make these packets. Because there is so much that needs to be printed out, the ink cartridges would definitely help!

Our state has experienced proration, and there is a very good possibility that we will have an even higher rate of proration for the coming year. In the past, we have received between $250 and $525 for classroom supplies. This year, the state was unable to provide us with any supply money. We did receive $180 from our system, but that didn't last long. I am always buying supplies myself, but as a teacher, I'm not always able to buy the quantity that we could use. Your help will be appreciated SO much, not only by me, but by my students as well.

Mrs. Vest Benjamin Russell High School Grades 9-12

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. Vest

Alexander City, AL View local requests

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

90 students impacted 3donors

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

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
LEATHERETTE 2 POCKET FOLDER WITH FASTENERS,25/BOX -- Quill Brand 2-Pocket Fastener Folders; Grey • Quill $15.74 4 $62.96
QUILL BRAND 2GB FLASH DRIVE -- Quill Brand Flash Drives; 2GB • Quill $8.99 5 $44.95
98 BLACK TWIN PRINT CARTRIDGE -- HP 98 Twin Print Cartridge; Black • Quill $37.79 3 $113.37
RULED INDEX CARDS 4X6IN WH • Lab Safety Supply, Inc. dba Highsmith Inc $19.53 4 $78.12
RULED INDEX CARDS 3X5IN WH • Lab Safety Supply, Inc. dba Highsmith Inc $12.49 2 $24.98

Materials cost

$324.38

Vendor shipping charges

 $32.44

Sales tax

 $12.98

3rd party payment processing fee

$4.87

Fulfillment labor & materials

$9.00

Total project cost

$383.67

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$84.22

Total project goal

$467.89

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $467.89

2 Donors

-$233.95

Donations toward project cost

-$191.84

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$42.11

match offer

-$233.94

Match offer toward project cost

-$191.83

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$42.11

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. Vest and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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