You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Paradise from Houston, TX is requesting art supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Paradise is requesting

From Pencils to Portfolios: Empowering Student Artists

Help me give my students paper, pottery tools and paint and brushes.

  • $3,352 goal

This project expired on September 12, 2025.

This project expired on September 12, 2025.

My Project

At NFHS, a Title I school in HISD, I teach Drawing, Ceramics, and AP Art to an incredible group of creative, determined students. Many come from low-income households and don’t have access to art supplies outside of school. Despite these challenges, they show up ready to express themselves, tell their stories, and grow as artists.

This project will provide essential materials—like clay, glazes, drawing tools, and high-quality paper—that students need to fully engage in hands-on learning.

These supplies will help beginners build foundational skills in drawing and ceramics, while also supporting AP Art students as they create their college-level portfolios.

As someone who grew up in a low-income area in Bakersfield, California, I understand how powerful art can be when you finally have the tools to create. I never had access to a full art program, and it’s been my lifelong goal to give my students the creative education I never received.

This funding will not only support projects and techniques in class, but also help build confidence, critical thinking, and career readiness. Whether students dream of becoming professional artists or simply need a creative outlet to process life, your support will give them that opportunity.

Ms. Paradise North Forest High School Grades 9-12

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

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.

Houston, TX 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

300 students impacted

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Paradise is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
Nasco Practice Sketchbooks, 50 Sheets per Sketchbook - Pack of 48 • Nasco $109.60 8 $876.80
Ucreate Mixed-Media Paper, 80 lb., 9 x 12 Inches, Natural White, 500 Sheets • School Specialty $38.39 4 $153.56
Potter's Select Complete Pottery Tools - Class Pack of 10 • Blick Art Materials $139.90 1 $139.90
General's Primo Euro Blend Charcoal - Class Pack Set • Blick Art Materials $127.99 1 $127.99
Blick Stoneware Clay - 50 lb • Blick Art Materials $29.46 4 $117.84
Sax Heavy Body Acrylic Paint, Half Gallons, Assorted Colors, Set of 6 - Durable • School Specialty $114.22 1 $114.22
Outus 300 Sheets 3 Sizes Watercolor Paper Bulk 140lb/300gsm White Painting Drawing Paper for Watercolorists Beginning Crafts Artists, 4 x 6 Inch, 5 x 7 Inch, 9 x 12 Inch • Amazon Business $28.99 3 $86.97
Crayola Markers Classpack, Fine Line, Assorted Colors, Set of 200 • School Specialty $86.17 1 $86.17
Lelix Felt Tip Pens, 60 Black Pack, 0.7mm Medium Point, Felt Tip Markers Pens for Journaling, Writing, Note Taking, Planner, Perfect for School Office and Art Supplies • Amazon Business $37.98 2 $75.96
Richeson Slightly Imperfect Assorted Brush Set - Set of 42 • Blick Art Materials $24.72 3 $74.16
Blick Studio Drawing Pencils - Class Pack of 144 • Blick Art Materials $74.15 1 $74.15
Elmer's Re-Stick School Glue Sticks, 0.28 Ounces, White, Pack of 30 • School Specialty $36.82 2 $73.64
Stapledon Arts: MELANIN SERIES 12 PAINT Student Grade Acrylic (multicultural art therapy, skin tone) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $35.00 2 $70.00
Art Utility Cups and Lids - Pkg. of 25 - 1 oz. • Nasco $3.60 17 $61.20
uCreate Art1st Watercolor Paper 9 x 12 White 250 Sheets/Pack (P4930) • Staples $29.97 2 $59.94
Crayola Oil Pastels Classroom Pack, 14 Assorted Colors, 336 Pieces, Black • School Specialty $52.12 1 $52.12
Artecho Acrylic Paint Set with 10 Brushes and 24 Colors 2oz Art Craft Paint, Acrylic Paint Sets for Adults and Beginners, Art Supplies Painting Kit for Canvas, Wood, Rocks, Fabric, Glass • Amazon Business $21.99 2 $43.98
Pacon Heavyweight Tagboard, 12 x 18 Inches, 11 Pt, White, Pack of 100 • School Specialty $20.02 2 $40.04
Amaco Cosmos Glaze - CO-7 Solar Flare, 16 oz • Blick Art Materials $36.00 1 $36.00
Amaco Cosmos Glaze - CO-8 Dark Star, 16 oz • Blick Art Materials $36.00 1 $36.00
Amaco Cosmos Glaze - CO-13 Mars Crystal, 16 oz • Blick Art Materials $36.00 1 $36.00
Childcraft Construction Paper, 9 x 12 Inches, Assorted Colors, 500 Sheets - Lightweight • School Specialty $14.92 2 $29.84
Speedball Ceramic Underglaze - Leaf Green, Opaque, 2 oz • Blick Art Materials $4.96 3 $14.88
Speedball Ceramic Underglaze - Medium Green, Opaque, 2 oz • Blick Art Materials $4.96 3 $14.88
Richeson Wire Clay Cutter - XL, 24" • Blick Art Materials $4.89 3 $14.67
Potter's Select Complete Pottery Tool Set - Pkg of 8 • Blick Art Materials $13.99 1 $13.99
Speedball Ceramic Underglaze - Tan, Opaque, 2 oz • Blick Art Materials $4.48 3 $13.44
Speedball Ceramic Underglaze - Chartreuse, Opaque, 2 oz • Blick Art Materials $4.48 3 $13.44
Speedball Ceramic Underglaze - Aqua, Opaque, 2 oz • Blick Art Materials $4.48 3 $13.44
Speedball Ceramic Underglaze - Chocolate, 2 oz • Blick Art Materials $4.48 3 $13.44
Speedball Ceramic Underglaze - Pine, Opaque, 2 oz • Blick Art Materials $4.48 3 $13.44
Speedball Ceramic Underglaze - Brown, Opaque, 2 oz • Blick Art Materials $4.48 3 $13.44
Raimarket 200 Sheets Black Carbon Paper for Tracing On Fabric | Carbon Paper for Tracing on Wood & Canvas, Tracing Paper for Drawing Sewing Patterns, 5 Stylus, A4 Size (9 X 13) Graphite Transfer Paper • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
HTVRONT Blue Painters Tape - 1 Inch x 60 Yards x 3 Rolls Masking Tape, Multi-Surface Painters Tape, Paint Tape for Wall, Painting, Craft, Art Supplies, Clean Release Painter's Blue Tape • Amazon Business $8.88 1 $8.88

Materials cost

$2,624.41

Vendor shipping charges

$154.96

Sales tax

$0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$39.37

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$2,848.74

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$502.72

Total project goal

$3,351.46

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

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"TX","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":4,"name":"High School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":3352,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/from-pencils-to-portfolios-empowering-s/9353564/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":300,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Paradise","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-363967298","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Houston","teachersOnPage":[10034962],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9353564,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":15868,"schoolName":"North Forest High School","authorIds":{"10034962":{"owner":"Ms. Paradise","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9353564],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10034962_orig.jpg?crop=1240,1240,x0,y487&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747164703270","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":7,"teacherChallengeId":22488127,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":10034962,"schoolCounty":"Harris","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"TX","name":"Texas"}}