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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Gerke from Chicago, IL is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Gerke is requesting

Harry Potter Classroom!

My students need the tabletop communication center (which will function as mailboxes) to allow them to receive papers, and keep materials they can't leave at home. The other items are for a welcoming, inspiring environment.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Gerke's classroom raised $609

This project is fully funded

My Students

Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." For these kids, that is certainly true.

My students deserve a class full of opportunities, safety, and learning, especially where they are not often afforded those things.

The students I teach come mostly from a neighborhood on the West side of Chicago and are mostly from low-income families. They are incredible students, who have gone through some of the most unimaginable trauma (according to a recent survey, 80% of my students report experiencing trauma at some point in their lives), but who nevertheless strive to do their best and achieve the highest. It's important to me to be able to serve them in the best way possible. They deserve nothing less.

My Project

The mailboxes purchased will allow me to pass back materials in a timely way that doesn't detract from class time, as well as pass out materials that are announcements. Students will also be able to use these spaces to leave materials that they don't feel comfortable bringing home, or that they simply don't need to take with them (these students don't have lockers). The LED candles will allow students to feel as if they are actually in Hogwarts, helping to set the comfortable, welcoming ambiance that I'm aiming for. The motivational quotation posters are meant to encourage students at a time when they may become discouraged. After all, Harry persevered, why can't they?

These materials will allow me to set up a Harry Potter themed classroom with the best classroom management possible!

Harry, like many of these students, came from a disadvantaged place in wizarding society. If given the opportunity to learn in a warm, welcoming environment like Harry was, they will be better able to succeed in later years.

Ms. Gerke Howe School of Excellence Grades 6-8

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.

Chicago, IL 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

60 students impacted 1donor

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Gerke 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
JJ618 - Classic Birch Tabletop Communication Center • Lakeshore Learning Materials $89.99 5 $449.95
Harry Potter Quotes & Sayings - Set of 4-8"x10" Prints - Great Harry Potter Gifts (set #1) • Amazon Business $16.95 1 $16.95
Raycare 12PCS LED Taper Candle Lights, Harry Potter Floating Candles, Battery Operated LED Candles For Party, Classroom Decorations • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99

Materials cost

$479.89

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$7.20

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$517.09

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$91.25

Total project goal

$608.34

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $608.34

1 Donor

-$608.34

Donations toward project cost

-$517.09

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$91.25

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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 Ms. Gerke and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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