Nathan Hale Middle School in Crestwood, Illinois on DonorsChoose

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The laminator and file/maker holders were especially exciting students loved seeing their work laminated and neatly organized, which made them feel proud and valued.\r\n\r\nStudents will use these resources during an ongoing Social Studies project focused on leadership and historical impact. They will research presidents or influential figures, create posters and timelines, and organize their work using the new files and holders. Finished projects will be laminated and displayed, turning our classroom into a space that celebrates learning and thanks to your generous support.","fullyFundedDate":1758851719452,"projectUrl":"project/hearts-and-hands-building-a-brighter-to/9494749/","projectTitle":"Hearts and Hands: Building a Brighter Tomorrow","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Slattery","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9892053"},{"teacherId":9859369,"projectId":8987346,"letterContent":"I requested an overhead projector for my classroom to better support my students, particularly those with visual impairments. Some of my students have visual deficiencies, and not all of them wear glasses. With this overhead projector, I have been able to consistently enlarge content, making it more accessible for those who struggle to see clearly. This has allowed me to assist my students with visual challenges, it has also enhanced the learning experience for all of my students by projecting content and making note-taking easier. \r\n\r\nGiven that this is not a super technological piece of equipment, the students were skeptical at first and sometimes even made jokes about my overhead. However, after using it consistently in class, I surveyed my students and found that 98% responded positively, stating that the ability to project and enlarge content has significantly helped them learn and understand the material more effectively. Many expressed that it would have been much more difficult to grasp the lessons without the visual support the overhead provides. By projecting directly onto my whiteboard, I also create opportunities for students to actively engage with the content by writing responses during lessons—a hands-on activity they genuinely enjoy and look forward to.\r\n\r\nTo best summarize how this overhead projector has impacted my ability to effectively communicate the content and lessons, I have included my pre-assessment and post-assessment data from all of the math classes I teach directly. I feel that the data speaks for itself, highlighting not only the hard work and dedication of my students, but also the crucial role the overhead projector has played in enhancing my instructional delivery. By allowing me to clearly present and visually organize the content, the overhead has made lessons more accessible and engaging, ultimately contributing to the measurable academic growth shown in the assessment results\r\n\r\nPlacement\t Fall\t Spring\r\n3 or more grade levels below\t 16\t 5\r\n2 years below grade level\t 3\t 5\r\n1 year below grade level \t17\t 13\r\nEarly on grade level\t 8\t 12\r\nMid or above grade level\t 2\t 10\r\n\r\nI am beyond grateful for everyone who donated to my project, making it possible for me to acquire this overhead projector—something I would not have been able to purchase on my own. This tool has already made a significant difference in my classroom, and I will be able to continue using it for years to come to support all of my students, not just those who struggle with visibility issues. 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About this school

Nathan Hale Middle School is a suburban public school in Crestwood, Illinois that is part of Cook County School District 130. It serves 326 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 9.9:1. Its teachers have had 105 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 8

326 Students

33 Teachers

5220 135th St

Crestwood, IL 60418 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Nathan Hale Middle School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Nathan Hale Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Nathan Hale Middle School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

72%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Nathan Hale Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Jan 15, 2026

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.