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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Hawkins from Chicago, IL is requesting reading nooks, desks & storage through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Hawkins is requesting

Starting Strong: a First-Year Teacher’s Toolkit for Student Success

Help me give my students basic classroom supplies, calming tools, and learning materials to help them finish the year strong and start the new school year ready to succeed.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Hawkins's classroom raised $992

This project is fully funded

My Project

I recently stepped into my first teaching position, and although I’m starting late in the school year, I’m incredibly grateful to be here. I work with a small group of young students, many with special needs, and I’m excited to help them grow in every way I can.

Right now, I’m sharing a classroom with another teacher who has been kind enough to let me borrow a few things, but I know she’s sharing what she can—and I don’t want to be a burden.

I’d really love to have my own materials so I can better support our students during small groups, centers, and one-on-one time.

Because I started so close to the end of the year, I didn’t get the chance to prepare or gather supplies like most teachers do over time. I’m coming in with very little—just my passion for teaching and a heart that’s ready to give my all.

With your help, I’m hoping to gather the basics: pencils, crayons, dry-erase markers, glue sticks, storage bins to organize materials for student use, math manipulatives and early literacy tools for hands-on learning. We need visual supports and calming items to help students stay focused

We also need a few beginner-level books to start building a classroom library.

These items will help me finish the year feeling more prepared and confident, and they’ll also set me up for a smoother start in the fall. My students deserve the very best, and I want to give them that—not just now, but every single day going forward.

Thank you so much for considering my project and for supporting teachers who are just getting started. It means more than you know.

With appreciation,

Ms. Hawkins

Ms. Hawkins Edward K. Duke Ellington 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.

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

12 students impacted 3donors

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

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Lakeshore Learning Sight-Words Activity Chest • Lakeshore Learning Materials $59.99 1 $59.99
Staples Heavy Duty 1 1/2 3-Ring View Binders Black 12/Carton (24674CT) • Staples $54.45 1 $54.45
Quill Brand? ClassMate Electric Pencil Sharpener, Blue (21833-QCC) • Quill.com $52.72 1 $52.72
Lakeshore Leveled Books Classroom Library 1 - Book Bin Set - Level G (Gr. 1) • Lakeshore Learning Materials $49.99 1 $49.99
Lakeshore Leveled Books Classroom Library 1 - Book Bin Set - Level C (K) • Lakeshore Learning Materials $48.99 1 $48.99
Lakeshore Leveled Books Classroom Library 1 - Book Bin Set - Level A (K) • Lakeshore Learning Materials $47.99 1 $47.99
Lakeshore Leveled Books Classroom Library 1 - Book Bin Set - Level E (Gr. 1) • Lakeshore Learning Materials $47.99 1 $47.99
Lakeshore Leveled Books Classroom Library 1 - Book Bin Set - Level I (Gr. 1) • Lakeshore Learning Materials $47.99 1 $47.99
Lakeshore Leveled Books Classroom Library 1 - Book Bin Set - Level B (K) • Lakeshore Learning Materials $46.99 1 $46.99
Lakeshore Leveled Books Classroom Library 1 - Book Bin Set - Level K (Gr. 2) • Lakeshore Learning Materials $45.99 1 $45.99
Lakeshore Leveled Books Classroom Library 1 - Book Bin Set - Level F (Gr. 1) • Lakeshore Learning Materials $44.99 1 $44.99
Magnetic Ten Frame Set: 8 Durable Ten-Frames + 100 Colorful Counters + 80 Math Flash Cards + 10 Dice - Addition & Subtraction - Math Manipulatives Kit for Home, Kindergarten & Elementary Teachers • Amazon Business $40.95 1 $40.95
Lakeshore Leveled Books Classroom Library 1 - Book Bin Set - Level J (Gr. 1-2) • Lakeshore Learning Materials $36.99 1 $36.99
KTRIO Laminating Sheets, Hold 8.5 x 11 inch Sheet 200 Pack, Laminate Pouches 5 Mil Clear Thermal Lamination Pouch 9 x 11.5 inch Laminated Paper for Laminator, Round Corner Letter Size, School & Office • Amazon Business $33.31 1 $33.31
Inhouse 14 Quart Clear Storage Bin, Plastic Latching Box/Container with Lid, Shoe Boxes, Set of 4 • Amazon Business $30.55 1 $30.55
Crayola Crayons - Set of 24 • Blick Art Materials $1.94 12 $23.28
Broom and Dustpan Set with 54" Long Handle, Windproof Stand Up Dustpan with Broom Combo for Home Kitchen Room Office Lobby Floor Use… (Gray&Yellow-Upgrade Style2) • Amazon Business $18.99 1 $18.99
100 Write And Learn Sight Word Practice Pages • Teachers' School Supply $15.99 1 $15.99
CGBE Adhesive Hooks Heavy Duty Sticky Hooks for Hanging 11 lbs (Max) Seamless Transparent Adhesive Hooks Wall Hangers Without Nails for Hanging Keys Coats Hats Bags Ceiling (Clear-16PACK) • Amazon Business $9.88 1 $9.88
BIC Wite-Out Quick Dry Correction Fluid - 2 pack - white color writeout - white-out • Amazon Business $3.91 2 $7.82

Materials cost

$765.84

Vendor shipping charges

 $35.61

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$11.49

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$842.94

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$148.75

Total project goal

$991.69

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $991.69

1 Donor

-$495.83

Donations toward project cost

-$421.46

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$74.37

match offer

-$495.86

Match offer toward project cost

-$421.48

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$74.38

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. Hawkins and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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