Past projects 59
Earn Your Edge: Tools for Tomorrow's Builders Part II
Funded May 7, 2025Two of my students were honored by DeWalt recently as Student of the Year and Rookie of the Year. This was such an amazing accomplishment, and you were part of it by giving my students the tools of the trade that gave them the edge they needed to push to the top of their class. These tools became part of their personal tool kits and helped them build the confidence and career readiness that pushed them to the top of their class. Thank you for continuing to invest in my students and their futures.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kristie Jones
This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and 4 other donors.Earn Your Edge: Tools for Tomorrow’s Builders
Funded Apr 6, 2025I only wish you could have seen the excitement on the faces of my students when the truck pulled in and started unloading the boxes from this exciting project! They couldn't wait to help me unpack them! Every student passed their Basic Stairs module for national certification, earning each a set of stair gauges. Within a few days, I had the performance task set up in the shop for them. With their new tools in hand, each student carefully laid out their first stair stringer with their very own set of stair gauges. Watching them perform this task with confidence and pride was one of those ooey-gooey teacher moments all teachers wish they could have more of! Adding those stair gauges to their new tool boxes was the icing on the cake. Thank you for supporting these students in learning such a valuable carpentry skill!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kristie Jones
This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and 2 other donors.From Tests to Tools: Helping Students Earn Their Edge
Funded Dec 21, 2024Thanks to your support, my students are earning their edge! With the new tools and resources, they are not only mastering their certification tests, but they are also mastering study skills. The motivation to study hard and pass their tests on the first attempt has been a complete success. They are building a strong foundation of study skills while filling their toolboxes with the tools of the trades that will give them a head start when they exit my program and begin seeking jobs in the fields of their choice. Thank you once again for supporting these amazing students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kristie Jones
Hardhats, Hammers, and Heroes: Serving Our Veterans
Funded Nov 4, 2024When the box opened and I pulled those hardhats and hammers out, my students could hardly contain their excitement! Every student was able to utilize the new equipment while they worked tirelessly on the community service project for our US veterans.
The BIG excitement happened when I was able to award the students with their own personal hardhat and hammer to keep (at the end of the year) for passing their wall framing national exam on the first attempt. Thank you for providing that motivation! For the very few students who did not pass on the first attempt, they were definitely inspired to prepare for their future examinations.
My students will continue to use this equipment with pride, not only throughout their time in my program, but as they continue pursing their careers in the trades.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kristie Jones
Calculating Success Part 2: Construction Calculators for Future Carpenters
Funded Nov 4, 2024Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support of this project! With your help, they can now tackle construction math with precision, preparing them for success both in the classroom and in their careers.
My students have been so impressed with these calculators! While they've been working hard the past year and a half to master construction math both mentally and by hand calculations, these tools have wowed them with how easy they make complex calculations. Watching their excitement as they see the practical power of these calculators has been a joy! Thank you for making math fun for my students while equipping them with a skills that is prepping them for their future.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kristie Jones
Mastering Carpentry Math: Quick Reference Guides for Every Toolbox
Funded Sep 24, 2024Today, I was able to hand each of my students their quick reference guides. They proudly tucked them away into their personal tool boxes. Throughout the school year, they will be able to pull these handy guides out as they need to reference construction related formulas, charts, and other handy tips.The laminated guides will last the students for years to come and be something they can always be proud of earning. Thank you for supporting them in their journey to strengthen their construction math skills!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kristie Jones
This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and 2 other donors.Calculating Success: Construction Calculators for Future Carpenters
Funded Sep 24, 2024My students are in awe of the power of these construction calculators! They had no idea they needed them in their lives! They have learned how to figure the most important and commonly used construction calculations by hand, but providing them with the same tools that the professionals use is a game changer. The excitement on their faces as they watch difficult mental calculations easily compute on these construction calculators is a joy to watch. I love knowing too that they will be able to step onto a job site knowing how to use this tool that most construction supervisors will expect them to utilize on a daily basis. Thank you for providing them the opportunity to learn a tool that will help them get a head start in their careers.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kristie Jones
This classroom project was brought to life by Quill.com and 2 other donors.Building Futures: Work Bench Desks for Hands-On Learning
Funded Aug 5, 2024I just wanted to take a moment to say a huge THANK YOU for your generous support of my classroom! Your contributions are making a real difference in my carpentry classroom, providing my students with the workbench desks they need to enhance their learning experience.
These desks are more than just seating; they're essential tools that are fostering collaboration and creativity in our projects. On a side note, I hosted a fun competition when the workbenches were delivered. The group who read the directions and assembled the first desk correctly won lunch from the local mom and pop burger stand. They loved the challenge! My students thriving in this improved environment, and it's all thanks to you!
Your kindness means the world to us.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kristie Jones
Fueling Future Builders: Snacks for Success at Nationals
Funded May 27, 2024The big week came quickly! Thanks to you, this national competition team had no worries when it came to growling stomachs! The van was packed down with travel snacks. The hotel rooms were filled with treats. Grab and go was the theme for the week, because we were running all week long!
From the six and a half hour drive to Atlanta, the 15,000 to18,000 steps walked daily, and the intense competition on a national stage, my students were able to reach into their backpacks for a quick snack provided by you instead of spending their limited funds on inflated food prices.
The students represented our community, school, and DonorsChoose family well, placing 20th in the nation in their category. That's not too shabby for their first time ever competing at that level. I am very proud of them and so very grateful to each of you who contributed to making this opportunity a bit easier for my students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kristie Jones
Hungry No More, Part 3
Funded Jan 8, 2024Hungry because they missed breakfast? Not in my classroom. Didn't have lunch money? Not a problem in my classroom. Late after school activities and no snack to tide them over? Not anymore. Why? Because of you!
When those boxes started appearing in my classroom, the excitement rippled through every class. Students are smiling and chitchatting in the mornings while they have a breakfast snack to kickstart their day. It's such a joy to see. Thank you for feeding hungry students and making their school day a little better.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kristie Jones
This classroom project was brought to life by LOFT and 7 other donors.