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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Messenger from Naugatuck, CT is requesting technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Messenger is requesting
Fully Funded

Mrs. Messenger's classroom raised $717

How to Survive in High School, Home Edition

My students need two video camcorders to create video news projects and film an ongoing high-school version of "The Office" where they can showcase their acting, directing, writing and choreography talent.

Classroom photo
Mrs. Messenger Naugatuck High School
Naugatuck, CT Grades 9-12

Put a cheap, $30 video camera in their hands, and my students can create magic. I can only imagine what they will be able to do with some newer, better equipment. I currently teach English II and Journalism, and incorporate as much technology as I can into our projects and assignments. In Journalism, we decided to go completely digital so that we could update our newspaper weekly rather than wait months for the money to print a quarterly edition. The students have added broadcast journalism and podcasts to their repertoire and our program has become something our community is proud to claim as their own.

But this year, our school budget is short $2 million, and our board of education is talking about laying off 60 teachers on Nov. 23. There certainly is no money for newer cameras and supplies. Now, my students would like to branch out into documentary filmmaking and even produce, direct, write and create a short sit-com about high school life to be aired in the school every two weeks. They cannot currently do that with the equipment we now have. But that doesn't really stop them. They have created a short, 8-minute film about what they love best about our high school and community, complete with a music video and student interviews. For them, it doesn't matter what they have - as long as they can stretch their creativity and their imaginations. But I want more for them. I want them to be able to enter their work in contests and showcase it around the state and maybe even the country. I don't want them to feel badly because their work lacks the quality and professionalism a newer camera can give them.

I have already provided new SD cards and props, laptops purchased with a grant for the purpose of filmmaking and editing. But now we need the cameras to make it all come together. My students have already created projects and they have already written proposals, scripts and treatments for their films. I want them to have a chance to experiment with film as a medium for their voices. I want them to know and be able to use this type of technology so that they can be competitive and perhaps fall in love with the craft. They could be directors, actors, writers, producers, sound editors, film editors, journalists, columnists, broadcasters or graphics designers. But how will they ever know if they are not given the chance at these types of experiences? I want them to have this opportunity and perhaps find their bliss.

You can help these students discover what they love about the world. You can help them be the next great filmmaker, or script writer, or broadcast journalist. As a teacher, I am privileged to help students find what makes them passionate. As a donor, you provide students with the tools they need to discover what will engage and delight them for the rest of their lives. Be that someone. They will never forget it.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

30 students impacted 7 donors
Mrs. Messenger Naugatuck High School Grades 9-12

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Naugatuck, CT 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

30 students impacted 7donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Panasonic SDR S26N camcorder flash card • CDW Inc. $259.34 2 $518.68

Materials cost

$518.68

Vendor shipping charges

 $51.87

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$7.78

Fulfillment labor & materials

$9.00

Total project cost

$587.33

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$128.93

Total project goal

$716.26

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $716.26

4 Donors

-$165.00

Donations toward project cost

-$135.30

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$29.70

match offer

-$551.26

Match offer toward project cost

-$452.03

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$99.23

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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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. Messenger and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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