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Ms. Joyce from Saint Louis, MO is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Ms. Joyce's classroom raised $737

Be The Change

My students need positive incentive prizes including 4 iPod shuffles, balls, and books.

Ms. Joyce Fanning Middle School

Saint Louis, MO Grades 6-8

“We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” Gandhi has inspired many with his words and I am proud to say that his words linger in my classroom this year. In our school district, the graduation rate is 57%. Telling our eighth graders this reality on the first day of school, we wanted to instill in them the drive to beat the odds; to undermine the 57%. Therefore, in collaboration with another eighth grade teacher, we have made “Be the change” our eighth grade motto. Writing it as part of their heading [on their papers], it serves as a constant reminder of why they come to school, how education is the ticket to freedom, and what we, their teachers, expect from them. You learn quickly, however, despite the beauty of the words “Be the change”, that middle school students still need behavior checks and reminders to stay focused. Therefore, to encourage good student behavior, leadership, effort, and quality work, we reward the eighth grade students with tickets, or “college credits”. In addition to pushing for a higher high school graduation rate, we emphasize both the importance and possibility of college. (We classify the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades by the year of college entry.) To further encourage positive behavior and strong work ethic, in addition to upstanding character, we choose to employ an approach that rewards positive choices, opposed to one that punishes negative choices (although the latter is not completely unnecessary). Given that students respond better to positive rewards, we give “college credits” to students when they demonstrate the aforementioned qualities. Additionally, we are explicit as to why they are receiving them, to ensure the connection between the behavior/choice and the reward. Thus far, this system has proven to be highly effective. We have a multitude of students who crave this positive feedback and make choices accordingly. We have seen a positive transformation of certain students who previously found themselves in trouble more often than not. We have 130 students who are learning the value of positive decision making and hard work. To continue to reward students for being “the change”, we have a raffle drawing every two weeks. We offer at least four different prizes, each of different value, and each class of students (130 total) has the chance to put “college credits” into the various drawings. The students anticipate “the drawing” every two weeks, and they have responded well to the prizes available to them. However, given my co-teacher and I have limited budgets, we can only supply so many prizes. Therefore, I am writing this proposal to request funding for positive incentive prizes. In order to sustain our mission of “Be the change”, we, as teachers, must show them the positive rewards that come from making positive decisions. In addition to their impressive academic progress (of which they are also proud), we acknowledge their age and interests and choose to offer material rewards as well. My co-teacher and I recognize and accept our responsibility to educate our students, both academically and socially. We want to continue to better support their positive decisions and their efforts to “Be the change”, and are requesting support in our mission to do so.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Nearly all students from low‑income households

130 students impacted 5 donors

Project tagged as

Saint Louis, MO
Grades 6-8
Character Education
Traditional School
Supplies
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Ms. Joyce Fanning Middle School Grades 6-8

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Saint Louis, MO View local requests

Nearly all 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

130 students impacted 5donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Extra-Long Handled Jump Ropes 16'L (4.9m) • Sportime, Inc. $3.99 4 $15.96

Elite Series Soccer Balls - Size 4 • Sportime, Inc. $27.99 2 $55.98

Lost and Found (Bluford High Series #1) Anne Schraff • Barnes and Noble $3.59 1 $3.59

Summer of Secrets (Bluford High Series #10) Paul Langan • Barnes and Noble $3.59 1 $3.59

Secrets in the Shadows (Bluford High Series #3) Anne Schraff, Paul Langan (Editor) • Barnes and Noble $3.59 1 $3.59

IPOD SHUFFLE 2G CLAM 2ND GEN BLUE-USA • Best Buy $69.99 4 $279.96

Composite Footballs - Wilson TDJ Junior • Sportime, Inc. $26.99 2 $53.98

Rubber Basketballs - Spalding TF-150 Youth 27.5" (75cm) Wide • Sportime, Inc. $6.59 4 $26.36

SportimeMax™ ProRubber™ Basketball - Junior • Sportime, Inc. $14.99 4 $59.96

Materials cost			$502.97
Vendor shipping charges			$50.30
Sales tax			$21.28
3rd party payment processing fee			$12.57
Fulfillment labor & materials			$17.00
Total project cost			$604.00
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$132.59
Total project goal			$736.59
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$736.59
4 Donors			-$710.59
Donations toward project cost			-$604.00
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$106.59
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$26.00
Still needed View calculation Hide 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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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 Ms. Joyce and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

This teacher needs your help!

Be The Change

Project tagged as

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.