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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Clay from Gastonia, NC is requesting classroom basics through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Clay is requesting

Writer’s Café Classroom Makeover

Help me give my students a classroom that unlocks imagination and creative thought.

  • $545 goal

This project expired on July 31, 2025.

This project expired on July 31, 2025.

My Project

I teach creative writing to vibrant, curious middle schoolers who are discovering their voices, one word at a time. My students come from diverse backgrounds and bring unique perspectives to our classroom every day. They’re natural storytellers—but we don’t yet have a space that reflects the magic of their words.

I want to transform our creative writing classroom into the Writer’s Café—a cozy, inspiring café-themed learning environment where students feel relaxed, safe, and encouraged to express themselves through writing.

Imagine a room filled with warm lighting, café-style signs, writing-themed décor, comfortable reading nooks, and creative writing stations. It’s a place where students feel like real writers, not just students doing assignments.

To bring this vision to life, I’m requesting:

Café-style classroom décor (string lights, bulletin board materials, quote posters)

Flexible seating (floor cushions, stools, or bean bags)

Among other things...

With your help, we’ll turn our room into a café of creativity where students can brew up brilliant ideas, sip on stories, and serve fresh fiction.

Middle school is a critical time for self-expression. A welcoming and creative environment makes students feel confident to take risks, open up, and share their stories. For many of my students, this classroom will be the first space where they are told: “Your voice matters. Your story matters.”

Your donation will help us create a space where young writers grow, imagine, and thrive.

Ms. Clay W.P. Grier Middle School 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.

Gastonia, NC 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

Never Before Funded 100 students impacted

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

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Thyle 10 Pcs Meditation Floor Cushion Bulk Meditation Floor Pillow Classroom Square Cushions 15.8 x 15.8 Inch Flexible Tatami Floor Cushions Soft Thick Yoga Chair Seating for Kids Adults Home Decor • Amazon Business $69.99 1 $69.99
RelaxCoo Lavender Eye Pillow for Relaxation, Yoga, Sleeping, Weighted Eye Mask Heated for Headache, Sinus, Dry Eye Relief, Moist Heat Eyes Compress, Meditation Accessories with Aromatherapy, Pack of 6 • Amazon Business $38.99 1 $38.99
Chalkboard Wall Sticker Wall Decal Blackboard Wallpaper Large Chalkboard Contact Paper Roll KDG Self Adhesive DIY Reusable Erasable Stickers • Amazon Business $7.51 4 $30.04
HappyField Woodland Animals Birthday Party Decorations Woodland Animals Baby Shower Decorations for Boy or Girl Rustic Gold Green Tan Brown Tissue Poms Paper Lanterns Gender Neutral Baby Shower Decor • Amazon Business $14.67 2 $29.34
HONLUNG Rainbow Pillow Covers 18x18, Reading Corner Decor for Classroom Pillow Case, Home Bedroom Playroom Calming Corner Throw Pillow Covers(Orange) • Amazon Business $6.99 4 $27.96
suddus String Lights for Bedroom, 33ft 100 Led Connectable Globe String Lights Indoor, Hanging Fairy Lights Plug in with Remote for Kids Room Dorm Classroom Outdoor Christmas Tree Decor, Warm White • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
6 Rolls Ruffled Bulletin Board Borders for Classroom Decor Farmhouse Classroom Decor Burlap Bulletin Borders DIY Border Trims Crafts Classroom Home Decoration (Light Brown, 2 x 94.5 Inch) • Amazon Business $18.99 1 $18.99
SUNBEAUTY Boho Paper Fans Party Decorations Paper Leaves for Decoration Natural Party Decorations Paper Fans Classroom Decoration Paper Fans Backdrop Decor Brown Birthday Decorations,Set of 9 • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99
Mocalido 40ft Globe String Lights Indoor, 80 LEDs Hanging Classroom Lights for Bedroom with Remote, USB Powered Warm White to Multicolor Color Changing Fairy Lights Outdoor Decor • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99
AOBKIAT Party Decorations Paper Lanterns Set,12PCS Sage Green Brown Chinese Japanese Hanging Paper Lantern for Green Boho Wedding,Birthday,Baby Shower,Bridal Showers,Neutral Party Decor • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Imirell World Map Kids Tapestry 78Wx59H Inches Cartoon Animal Educational Learning Tool Adventure Green Rainbow Cute Plant Wild Art Hanging Bedroom Living Room Dorm Wall Blankets Home Decor Fabric • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
Der Rose 6 Pack Fake Plants Small Artificial Plants Faux Plants Indoor for Home Bathroom Bedroom Living Room Classroom Decor • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
48 Pcs Boho Name Tags Labels Green Plant Theme Name Plates for Desk Self Adhesive Label Stickers Bulletin Board Farmhouse Decoration for Teacher Classroom School Office Baby Shower (Greenery) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Breathing lamp Guided Visual Meditation Tool for Mindfulness, Slow Your Breathing & Calm Your Mind for Stress & Anxiety Relief, 3 Color and 478 Seconds Breathing Mode Silicone Cute Smiley face lamp • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99
AnyDesign 69Ft Diversity Equality Growth Mindset Bulletin Board Borders 5 Design 60Pcs Positive Theme Bulletin Board Stickers Brown Trim Borders for School Classroom Office Party Decoration • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
VABAMNA Bulletin Board Decorations, Eucalyptus Classroom Decor, 60ft Eucalyptus Positive Inspirational Affirmation Decor Greenery Classroom Decor for Teacher School Supplies Classroom Door Wall • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
Eucalyptus Bulletin Board Border 36ft Greenery Die-Cut Border Trim for Classroom Decoration Two Sided School Family Party Leaves Border Home Decor Teacher Supplies • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
Clabby 17 Pcs Growth Mindset Posters Motivational Posters with Positive Quotes 11.8" x 9" Plant Themed Inspirational Supplies for Classroom Teachers Students School Wall Art Decoration • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
Junkin 60 Pieces Mini Classroom Bulletin Board Summer Cutouts Coffee Cup Sunglasses Flamingo Classroom Cutouts Decorations for School Office Wall Window(Cup) • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
60 PCS Records Bulletin Board Cutouts, 10 Designs Bulletin Board Decoration Erasable with PET Film Jazz Rock Music Project Decoration Party Supplies for White Board Wall Party Favors (6” in Diameter) • Amazon Business $7.99 1 $7.99

Materials cost

$396.17

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $30.90

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.94

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$463.01

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$81.71

Total project goal

$544.72

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. Clay and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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