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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. O’Connell from Deer Park, TX is requesting classroom basics through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. O’Connell is requesting

Back to the Classroom: Starting Fresh in 5th Grade

Help me give my students pencils, paper, markers, storage bins, and literally everything else because after three years in leadership, I’m heading back into the classroom—and y’all, it’s giving “first-year teacher starter pack” all over again.

  • $1,192 goal

This project expired on August 4, 2025.

This project expired on August 4, 2025.

Classroom photo
Mrs. O’Connell profile photo
Mrs. O’Connell W.A. Carpenter Elementary School
Deer Park, TX Grades 3-5

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

What I love most about fifth graders is their humor, their resilience, and the way they’re stepping into their independence. They’re learning to think for themselves, work through challenges, and show up for each other—and I want to show up fully for them, too.

This project helps cover the essentials my students need to learn confidently: pencils, paper, crayons, dry erase boards, and hygiene items to keep our classroom clean and comfortable.

It also includes key supplies for me as their teacher—things to help me stay organized and prepared for instruction.

After spending the last three years in campus leadership, I’m stepping back into the classroom—but I gave away everything when I left, so I’m truly starting from scratch. These materials will help me rebuild the foundation for a productive, safe, and energized learning environment where both my students and I can thrive.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than half of students from low‑income households

60 students impacted
Mrs. O’Connell W.A. Carpenter Elementary School Grades 3-5

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Deer Park, TX View local requests

More than 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

60 students impacted

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

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pre-Sharpened Pencils, No 2 HB Soft, Assorted Pastel Colors, Pack of 150 • School Specialty $47.99 2 $95.98
Elmer's Washable Disappearing Purple Glue Stick - 0.24 oz, Pkg of 60 • Blick Art Materials $35.50 2 $71.00
IRIS USA Medium 3-Drawer Desktop Organizer with Open Tray Top, 2 Pack, Plastic Drawer Storage Container for Stationery Art Craft Supplies, White • Amazon Business $34.99 2 $69.98
LiqInkol Dry Erase Markers Bulk, 144 Pack Black Whiteboard Markers, Chisel Point Low Odor Dry Erase Markers for School Office Home • Amazon Business $31.79 2 $63.58
Astrobrights Bright 65 lb. Cardstock Paper, 8.5" x 11", Assorted Colors, 250 Sheets/Pack (99904) • Quill.com $28.33 2 $56.66
Crayola Classpack Crayons 800/Box (52-8016) • Staples $52.93 1 $52.93
Blue Summit Supplies 30 Pack Dry Erase Clipboard, Whiteboard Clipboard for Classroom, White Board with Front Surface and Low Profile Clip, Designed for Classroom and Business Use • Amazon Business $48.99 1 $48.99
Akro-Mils 10726 26-Drawer Plastic Drawer Storage Cabinet for Garage Organization, Bead Organizer, Lego Storage, Teacher Toolbox, Makeup Organizer, and More, 20-Inch W x 6-Inch D x 10-Inch H, Black • Amazon Business $45.49 1 $45.49
DinoFire for Bluetooth Presentation Remote Powerpint Clicker USB Rechargeable RF 2.4 GHz Dual Modes Wireless Presenter Presentation Clicker Slide Advancer for Mac/Keynote/PC/PPT 11 • Amazon Business $39.99 1 $39.99
Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer, Soothing Aloe Gel, 12 Ounce Pump Bottle • School Specialty $12.67 3 $38.01
Sintuff 2 Pieces Black Clipboard Holder Wood Metal Clipboard Stand Storage Rack for Teacher Student Home Office (Assembly Required) • Amazon Business $37.99 1 $37.99
Lysol Air Sanitizer Spray + Odor Eliminator for Home & Office, Sanitizing Air Spray, Simple Fresh Scent, 10 oz (Pack of 3) • Amazon Business $18.72 2 $37.44
SUNEE 50 Packs Oversized Reusable Dry Erase Pocket Sleeves with 3 Rings, Black 10x14 Ticket Holders, Clear Plastic Sheet Protectors, Teacher School Classroom Supplies • Amazon Business $32.79 1 $32.79
AFMAT Electric Pencil Sharpener for Colored Pencils 7-11.5mm, Robot Pencil Sharpener, Fully Automatic Rechargeable Hands-Free Pencil Sharpener for Large Pencils, Home, Classroom, Battery Operated • Amazon Business $31.99 1 $31.99
Paper Mate Pink Pearl Erasers, Medium, Pack of 24 • School Specialty $14.02 2 $28.04
Always Infinity Feminine Pads for Women, Flexfoam Pads with Wings, Size 2, Heavy Absorbency, Unscented, 96 Count (Packaging May Vary) • Amazon Business $26.97 1 $26.97
Learning Resources Magnetic Pocket Chart Squares • Kaplan Early Learning Company $26.96 1 $26.96
Staples College Ruled Filler Paper 8.5 x 11 White 400 Sheets/Pack (ST27521D) • Staples $8.75 3 $26.25
Storex Small Caddy, 9-1/4 x 9-1/4 x 5-1/4 Inches, Black, Pack of 6 - Comfortable - Durable • School Specialty $18.29 1 $18.29
Amazon Elements Baby Wipes, Unscented, 810 Count, Flip-Top Packs • Amazon Business $17.73 1 $17.73
Neenah Exact Vellum Bristol 67 lb. Cardstock Paper, 8.5" x 11", White, 250 Sheets/Ream (80211) • Quill.com $16.64 1 $16.64
Right Guard Sport Deodorant Spray | Anti-Stain Spray Deodorant For Men | Aluminum Free | 24-Hour Odor Control | Original Scent, 8.5 oz. (3 count) • Amazon Business $14.97 1 $14.97
SAVERHO 36 Clear Pockets Classroom Pocket Chart for Cell Phones, Pocket Chart for Calculator Phone Holder with 36 Number Stickers and Hooks (White) • Amazon Business $14.88 1 $14.88
Amazon Basics Disinfecting Wipes, Lemon & Fresh Scent, Sanitizes/Cleans/Disinfects/Deodorizes, 340 Count (4 Packs of 85) • Amazon Business $10.72 1 $10.72
OWLKELA 30 Pack Whiteboard Eraser for Kids and Adults, Washable and Reusable Magnetic Whiteboard Eraser for Cleaning Dry Erase Markers on Magnetic Soft Whiteboard, Glass Whiteboard and Dry Erase Board • Amazon Business $9.98 1 $9.98
TECKNET Plug-in Wireless Doorbell with RGB Lighting & 1300 Feet Range,IP66 Waterproof Doorbell for Home/Classroom/Office/Business,60 Chimes,5-Level Volume,4.5-Year Battery Life(Black) • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
120 Pieces Clear Binder Label Holders Self Adhesive Label Holder Clear Adhesive Pockets for Business Card Storage Bins Toy Bins Scrapbooks Binders Notebooks Boxes Blank Spine Inserts • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99

Materials cost

$950.23

Vendor shipping charges

 $18.03

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$14.25

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,012.51

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$178.68

Total project goal

$1,191.19

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

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Project Activity

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. O’Connell and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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