This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Mendez from San Diego, CA is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Mendez is requesting

Calm Minds, Ready to Learn: Creating Peaceful Classroom Spaces

Help me give my students calm down spaces in every classroom so students can learn healthy ways to manage their emotions, reduce disruptions, and return to learning feeling safe, supported, and ready.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Mendez's classroom raised $700

This project is fully funded

Celebrating 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

As the School Counselor at my school, I work with a diverse group of bright, resilient, and energetic students ranging from TK-5th grade. Many of our students face daily challenges—some come from homes affected by trauma, poverty, or instability. Despite these obstacles, they arrive each day eager to learn, build friendships, and grow.

My goal is to support their emotional well-being so they can fully engage in learning.

Helping children feel safe, seen, and emotionally regulated is foundational to their success in school and in life.

I’m working to create a calm down space in every classroom—a designated area where students can take a break, regulate their emotions, and return to learning when they’re ready.

These spaces will be stocked with items like:

Soft seating or calming mats

Fidget tools

Breathing visuals and mindfulness prompts

Books about emotions and social skills

Emotion charts and reflection sheets

Each classroom will be equipped with age-appropriate resources to help students recognize and manage big feelings in a safe, respectful way.

When students become overwhelmed, having a quiet place to regroup helps them calm their bodies and minds without feeling embarrassed or punished. These spaces will:

Support students in developing self-regulation and coping strategies

Reduce classroom disruptions and promote focus

Encourage empathy and social-emotional learning

Provide a trauma-sensitive alternative to traditional discipline

Teachers will be able to focus more on instruction, and students will gain valuable tools to manage their emotions independently.

Our school community is strong and supportive, but resources for classroom SEL (social-emotional learning) tools are limited. With your help, we can create a school-wide culture where emotional growth is just as important as academic success.

Your donation will make a lasting difference—empowering every child with the tools to handle life’s challenges and thrive in and out of the classroom.

Project tagged as

San Diego, CA
Grades PreK-2
Social Emotional Learning
Traditional School
Educational Kits & Games
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Mrs. Mendez Edison Elementary School Grades PreK-2

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

San Diego, CA 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

365 students impacted 3donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Abilitations Henry the Weighted Husky, 3 Pounds • School Specialty $44.99 3 $134.97

8 Fidget Toy Bundle - Assorted 3D 7" Shark & 7.1" Caterpillar Fidgets (social emotional learning, calming corner fidgets, wiggly fidget toys) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $72.00 1 $72.00

Breathing Pal PLUS Pair: Mindfulness Friends for Calming Corner & Classrooms; (2) Kyle the Koala (6.2") - social emotional learning • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $58.00 1 $58.00

Time Timer MOD, Charcoal - Silicone - Teacher-Parent Resources - Adult • School Specialty $35.24 1 $35.24

4 FIDGET Friends - Bendable 3.5" Fidget Toys Axolotls (calming corner, desk pets, social emotional awareness learning, fidgets for teen mental health) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $16.00 2 $32.00

4 Pop FIDGET Toy Bundle (assorted designs; social emotional learning focus tools, sensory calming corner, mental health, emotional awareness fidgets) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $15.00 2 $30.00

hand2mind Sensory Fidget Tubes, Calming Toys for Kids, Occupational Therapy Toys, Play Therapy, Stress Relief Toy, Comfort Items for Anxiety, Calm Down Corner Supplies (Set of 4) • Amazon Business $26.99 1 $26.99

Rainbow Pom Ball • Nasco $4.40 5 $22.00

Sensory Playtivity Squishy Sensory Discs, Set of 3 • School Specialty $18.37 1 $18.37

Hadley Designs Feelings Chart for Kids – 4 Pack Emotion Posters for Classroom & Home, Laminated Social Emotional Learning (SEL) & Behavior Management Tools, 11x17 Colorful Classroom Decor • Amazon Business $16.65 1 $16.65

Lakeshore Gel-Bead Emotion Friends - Social Emotional Learning, Sensory Toys, Fidget Toys • Lakeshore Learning Materials $14.99 1 $14.99

It's Okay To Not Be Okay: A Rhyming Read Aloud Story for Children About Feelings of Sadness and Loneliness (Social Emotional Learning Toolbox - Therapists, Educators, and Parents) • Amazon Business $12.91 1 $12.91

Materials cost			$474.12
Vendor shipping charges			$39.56
Sales tax			$43.38
3rd party payment processing fee			$7.11
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$594.17
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$104.85
Total project goal			$699.02
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$699.02
2 Donors			-$471.41
Donations toward project cost			-$404.45
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$66.96
match offer			-$223.21
Match offer toward project cost			-$189.73
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$33.48
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$4.41
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

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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. Mendez 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!

Calm Minds, Ready to Learn: Creating Peaceful Classroom Spaces

This project is fully funded

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

My Project

Project tagged as

Equity Focus

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

Give the most requested basic supplies

Give back to your community

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.