{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Idea Academy - Brownsville","outOfStateSupporters":46.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10044324,"projectId":9423976,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our Fuel for Focus: Snacks for Bright Minds project! Your generosity has made a real and immediate difference in the lives of my students. In our K–1 self-contained special education classroom, many of my students are on the autism spectrum and have unique sensory and dietary needs. Having familiar, comforting snacks like mac and cheese, Cheez-Its, goldfish crackers, fruit gummies, and other simple options available has helped reduce stress around food and made our classroom a more supportive, inclusive space.\r\n\r\nSnack time is now a smoother, more enjoyable part of our day. Students who previously struggled with hunger because they couldn't tolerate the school-provided meals now have access to food they recognize and feel safe eating—like a warm bowl of mac and cheese. Crackers and goldfish have also become a welcome routine, helping students stay focused and regulated throughout our learning activities. Fruit gummies are now a favorite reward for meeting personal goals, and they've been incredibly effective as positive reinforcement for classroom routines and social behavior.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, my students are not only more comfortable—they're more ready to learn. A full belly and a familiar snack can go a long way in helping a child focus, participate, and thrive. 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From the hilarious Dog Man and Cat Kid comics to heartfelt stories like The Day You Begin and Saturday at the Food Pantry, these books have truly brought our classroom to life and created a deeper love for reading among my students.\r\n\r\nEvery day, I see my students eagerly pick out their favorite stories during quiet reading time. The LeapStart and LeapReader tools have been especially helpful for developing independent reading skills and building confidence. During read-alouds, books like Dancing Hands, The Magical Yet, and Our Class is a Family have sparked meaningful conversations about perseverance, identity, emotions, and community. One particularly special moment was reading A Day With No Words, which opened up a wonderful dialogue about different ways people communicate—something especially important in our inclusive classroom.\r\n\r\nThese books are more than just stories—they're tools for building empathy, imagination, and literacy. Thank you for making it possible for my students to experience the joy of books every single day. Your support is helping us grow not only as readers but also as thoughtful, curious, and kind learners.","fullyFundedDate":1755046588730,"projectUrl":"project/read-laugh-learn-building-a-diverse-l/9506419/","projectTitle":"Read, Laugh, Learn: Building a Diverse Library for K–1 Sped","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Debes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10044324_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748698206300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msdebesclass"},{"teacherId":10044324,"projectId":9388682,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom through DonorsChoose! When the materials arrived, my students were overjoyed—especially when they saw the kinetic sand and colorful alphabet tubs. They couldn't wait to dig their hands into the sensory bins, and it's been incredible to watch how engaged and focused they become during these activities. The tactile experiences have been especially helpful for some of my students who benefit from sensory input throughout the day, making learning both fun and calming.\r\n\r\nWe've incorporated the Lakeshore clocks and CVC puzzles into our math and literacy centers, and they've added so much excitement to our daily rotations. The students are developing their telling time skills through hands-on practice, and the CVC puzzles have sparked lots of proud smiles as kids sound out words on their own. During small group speech sessions, the First Words Touch and Feel Picture Cards have become a favorite tool—they're fantastic for building vocabulary and promoting expressive language. 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Thank you again for investing in our classroom—you've made a lasting difference in my students' education!","fullyFundedDate":1750543980469,"projectUrl":"project/alphabet-and-counting-resources-for-sped/9388682/","projectTitle":"Alphabet and Counting Resources for Sped (self Contained) Classroom K-1st","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Debes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10044324_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748698206300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msdebesclass"},{"teacherId":10044324,"projectId":9389841,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through DonorsChoose! With your generosity—and the incredible $100 Teachers Pay Teachers gift card—I was able to purchase high-quality visuals, routines, and resources tailored specifically to the needs of my K-1 special education students. The moment the materials were printed, laminated, and hung up in the classroom, my students were immediately drawn to them. Their eyes lit up as they saw their new daily schedule visuals and calendar wall, and they quickly began referencing them independently—something that was not happening before.\r\n\r\nThese visuals have made a powerful difference in building routine, reducing anxiety, and increasing independence in our day. The \"First-Then\" boards have become essential during transitions, helping my students understand what's coming next and stay on task. Our \"Following the Rules\" visuals and social stories have also helped create a calmer, more structured environment. One of my students who used to struggle with changes in routine now checks the visual schedule each morning and proudly announces our first activity—something I couldn't have imagined just weeks ago.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, our classroom is now a more predictable, accessible, and supportive space for all learners. As we continue working on building independence and self-regulation, these tools will remain a key part of our daily learning. 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Join the 28 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Idea Academy - Brownsville is
an urban public school
in Brownsville, Texas that is part of Idea Public Schools.
It serves 694 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 18.3:1.
Its teachers have had 13 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
94%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Idea Academy - Brownsville Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Idea Academy - Brownsville
$5,190
raised using DonorsChoose
13
projects
funded
7
teachers
funded
28
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
3
projects for
technology
1
project for
books
Idea Academy - Brownsville has received support from
15 individuals from Texas and
13 individuals out-of-state.