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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Lopez del Castillo from Bronx, NY is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Lopez del Castillo is requesting

Dry-Erase Race to a Successful Year!

My students need a large dry-erase board and 25 personal dry erase boards and markers.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Lopez del Castillo's classroom raised $690

This project is fully funded

"Show me the light!- of a shiny, white dry-erase board to success!" I am a first year teacher at a small, all-girls school in New York. This is the first year that we have an 11th grade, and with the new class I started the Physics program in the Science department and took on the Earth Science courses for the 10th graders as well. We are one of four public all-girls schools in the area, which coupled with our small-school status, creates a very unique and interesting school environment. The challenges my students face are many and varied, and I find myself struggling daily to meet their needs, engage them, and provide them with great learning opportunities. I believe a reinvigorated classroom information-sharing system will have a large impact in making my students feel invested in their success; hence the "Dry-Erase Race" to Success.

As a relatively new small school in the district where I teach, the resources available are often limited and I have less opportunities to collaborate with colleagues on what works best in my content areas. This is the first year we are offering Physics to the students and I am the only Physics and Earth Science teacher in the building, so at times I struggle greatly with finding the best ways to motivate the ladies and get them excited about the accomplishments they have in class. There are a lot of basic skills that need to be reinforced, and along with the large amount of new information the ladies must learn, I often see them feeling frustrated or overwhelmed. This is where the "Dry-Erase" Race comes into play! Right now, I have a large blackboard covering a wall in my classroom. It is a very unique shade of brown and it is very difficult (virtually impossible) to read anything I write on it. I combat this using chart paper posters and PowerPoint Presentations I project onto a mock white board (made out of white chart paper). This only barely works, and I can't write on the board as I use presentations, so the teaching is less effective. Having the rolling board would change this completely!

The large white-board is only one part of the solution; it will improve introduction of new material immensely and give the students a better space to come up to the board and share their learning. Integral to this "Dry-Erase" Race are the student's personal white boards. My students are slowly developing and strengthening their self-esteem; but it is a steep hill to climb. It takes many small successes to build the confidence needed to make it through this course and have a successful year. The white boards serve three main purposes; first, they are an incredible engagement tool. The girls LOVE to work on something they will get immediate feedback on, and the boards allow this. Second, I can easily spot check the students work with a quick glance across the room and a few thumbs-up and thumbs-downs. This allows me to see common errors and correct them while ensuring that all students are actively working. Finally, it allows the girls to make errors that they can easily erase. Knowing that with a quick swipe they can delete the error and start fresh is an indispensable tool; it gives them freedom to try things without the pressure of failure.

These tools may seem simple and even plain, but their impact would be far-reaching and play such a huge part in creating a more efficient, engaging, and hands-on classroom. I often feel that the small difficulties of not being able to see or the frustration of having to cross-through incorrect problems places unnecessary barriers in the way of my students' learning. My school is small and the budget is small, so often the decision to buy a pack of chart paper is approved much quicker than a new white board or non-essential tools for the students. In my eyes, these things are essential, and you can help bring my students what their school cannot provide them! I look forward to sending you pictures of 25 young ladies holding their work high and proud!!

Ms. Lopez del Castillo Women's Academy of Excellence Grades 9-12

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.

Bronx, NY 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

95 students impacted 5donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
EXPO(R) Low-Odor Grip Dry-Erase Markers With Built-In Erasers, Ultra-Fine Point, Assorted Colors, Pack Of 8 • Office Depot Inc. $15.67 4 $62.68
EXPO(R) Low-Odor Dry-Erase Markers, Chisel Point, Assorted Colors, Pack Of 16 • Office Depot Inc. $19.59 1 $19.59
Quartet(R) Oak Wood Frame Rolling Reversible Dry-Erase Board, 36 x 48 • Office Depot Inc. $309.69 1 $309.69
Quartet(R) Educational Dry-Erase Board, White, Unlined • Office Depot Inc. $3.79 25 $94.75

Materials cost

$486.71

Vendor shipping charges

 $48.67

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$12.17

Fulfillment labor & materials

$17.00

Total project cost

$565.00

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$124.02

Total project goal

$689.02

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $689.02

4 Donors

-$449.70

Donations toward project cost

-$382.25

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$67.45

match offer

-$215.00

Match offer toward project cost

-$176.30

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$38.70

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$16.46

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 Ms. Lopez del Castillo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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