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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Jamie from Springfield, MA is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Jamie is requesting

Return to the Land of Promise

Help me give my students Dramatic Play Kits, to promote learning through play and creativity, and give them the preschool learning environment they deserve.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Jamie's classroom raised $692

This project is fully funded

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate 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

"Return to the Promise Land" isn’t just the title of my project—it’s a homecoming. After 20 years teaching high school English, I’m returning to early childhood education, and I’ve never felt more grounded in purpose. Preschoolers are full of promise—every question, every giggle, every curious glance is a seed waiting to grow. With guidance, clear expectations, and consistent routines, they flourish in beautiful and unexpected ways.

What makes this return even more special is that I now teach at the same preschool and elementary school I once attended—the place where I first realized I wanted to be a teacher.

Standing where my own educators once stood, I’m reminded daily of the power of early learning and how it shaped my life.

My students live in an under-resourced neighborhood in Springfield, but they are rich in spirit, joy, and possibility. Their families care deeply about their education and bring love, strength, and resilience into our school community. I want to honor that by building a classroom that supports each child’s growth, curiosity, and confidence.

Because I spent the last two decades teaching older students, I am starting from scratch with early childhood materials. The resources I’m requesting will help create a nurturing, language-rich, and engaging environment where my students can thrive. From hands-on manipulatives to visual tools and structured learning centers, each item will help bring joy and structure to our daily routines. I am requesting the Play to Learn Sounds & Letter Activities Bundle, Dramatic Play Kits, Early Language Folder Game Libraries, and more to promote learning through play and creativity, and provide them with the preschool learning environment they deserve.

With your support, I can create the kind of classroom that reflects the brilliance of my students. Thank you for helping me return to where it all began.

Ms. Jamie William DeBerry Elementary School Grades PreK-2

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.

Springfield, MA 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

25 students impacted 6donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Jamie 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
Science Viewers - Set of 5 • Lakeshore Learning Materials $79.99 1 $79.99
Kaplan Early Learning Nature-Inspired Loose Parts - 54 Pieces • Kaplan Early Learning Company $67.46 1 $67.46
Let’s Play School • Lakeshore Learning Materials $59.99 1 $59.99
Sensory-N-Stuff - Wooden Tool Set for Sensory Bin (30 Piece), Child-Sized Montessori Sensory Toys for Developing Fine Motor Skills, Smooth Wooden Toys, Bin Scoops and Tools • Amazon Business $53.88 1 $53.88
Kaplan Early Learning Elephant & Piggie Plush & A Big Guy Took My Ball Book • Kaplan Early Learning Company $39.56 1 $39.56
Battat Child's Veterinarian Kit • Kaplan Early Learning Company $35.96 1 $35.96
Pigeon Series 7 Book Set : Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus / Stay up Late. Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog ....and 4 More Titles • Amazon Business $34.89 1 $34.89
Gumball Grab Pre-Writing Game • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 1 $29.99
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
Magnetic Blocks,Creative Building Toys for Kids, STEM Sensory Toys for Ages 3-5, 5-7, 8-13, Christmas Birthday Gifts for Boys & Girls • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
KIDS PREFERRED World of Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar Montessori Wooden Magnetic Set with Storage Box – Help Learn Colors, Shapes, Animals, Numbers, and More Medium • Amazon Business $22.99 1 $22.99
Sensory-N-Stuff Sensory Bin Filler for Sensory Table - Colored Rice for Sensory Play (Pastel) • Amazon Business $21.77 1 $21.77
MIKNEKE 81 Wooden Loose Parts Sensory Bin Filler Toys, Mandala Rainbow Stacker Open Ended Toys, 27 Colors Sensory Training Educational Toys • Amazon Business $19.54 1 $19.54
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
Learning Resources STEM Explorers -Ages 5+, Magnet Movers, Critical Thinking Skills, STEM Certified Toys, Magnets Kids,Magnet Set,Back to School Supplies,39 Pieces • Amazon Business $10.99 1 $10.99
Elephant and Piggie - Can I Play Too?-An Elephant and Piggie Book - Reinforced Book • AKJ Education $8.02 1 $8.02

Materials cost

$549.92

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.25

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$588.17

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$103.79

Total project goal

$691.96

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $691.96

5 Donors

-$380.84

Donations toward project cost

-$328.21

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$52.63

match offer

-$305.84

Match offer toward project cost

-$259.96

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$45.88

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$5.29

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. Jamie and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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