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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Thaxton from Sparks, NV is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Thaxton is requesting

Beat for Peace: Building Community with World Music Drumming

My students need 4 drums for a counseling/music program aimed at children who are struggling socially, academically, and behaviorally.

FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Thaxton's classroom raised $1,065

This project is fully funded

My Students

Look at students who "fall through the cracks." Why do they give up, drop out and run afoul of the law? Too many times, they are kids who never felt they belonged in school, never belonged to any group and never were recognized for anything positive. The power of music and drums can change this.

My school is a regular public elementary school in Nevada in a close-knit working-class neighborhood.

My students come from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds and face regular challenges of making friends, family issues, fitting in and expressing themselves as individuals. Additionally, my school houses a "Student Intervention Program." This is a self-contained program for children from across the district who have severe emotional and behavioral issues and as such, have not been successful in the traditional classroom setting. Students in the S.I.P. program receive extra individualized attention, paraprofessional support and scaffolding support to help them be successful when integrating into regular classroom settings, dealing with peers and the world at large. While the program is strong and successful, the students often feel like outsiders in the school community, putting them further at risk for dropping out and making other poor choices in their lives to come.

My Project

As a music teacher, I know the power music has. I've experienced performances that create breathless goosebumps and tears. I've experienced the power of the drum to connect music to something deep and ancient within, and its power to connect individuals into a community. School counselor has developed a curriculum aimed at at-risk students called "Beat for Peace." It focuses on building community through the listening, focus and respect that a drum ensemble demands. Key to this program's success is a high quality hand drum called a Tubano. Tubanos stand on the floor without the need for specialized technique so even the youngest players can bring the instrument to life. While I teach music based on African, Caribbean and other world musics, our school counselor will be incorporating lessons on personal responsibility, behavior management and community building. Together, we hope to create a valuable experience, and a positive group for our students to belong to.

I expect to see every last one of my students by name and face to graduation.

I have worked to make my music room a place where all children belong and where they can find their creative voice as a means to this goal. Unfortunately, I do not have enough tubanos for my students to play. Each drum will be in the hands of a student who is sorely searching for their place in the world. Each gift of a drum is a connection to a community that supports them in overcoming the challenges that they face.

Mr. Thaxton Lloyd Diedrichsen Elementary School Grades 3-5

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Sparks, NV View local requests

More than a third 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

80 students impacted 10donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
100 Series Tunable Tubanos • Woodwind & Brasswind $199.99 4 $799.96

Materials cost

$799.96

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $62.80

3rd party payment processing fee

$12.00

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$904.76

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$159.66

Total project goal

$1,064.42

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $1,064.42

7 Donors

-$783.26

Donations toward project cost

-$726.26

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$57.00

match offer

-$210.00

Match offer toward project cost

-$178.50

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$31.50

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$71.16

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 Mr. Thaxton and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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