{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Odessa Shannon Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":27.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1174096,"projectId":9567194,"letterContent":"I teach at a school highly impacted by poverty. We are able to provide breakfasts and lunches for each student. However, even the most basic school supplies are beyond the reach of many families. \r\n\r\nIn addition, since the pandemic, where it was virtually impossible to hold students accountable for learning, students have had difficulty adjusting to the responsibilities for learning. \r\n\r\nThe binders you helped provide have made a difference. More students are bringing supplies to school, and it has helped improve grades all around. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1755702129519,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-organized/9567194/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Organized!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Deming","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1174096_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y772&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719594804563","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1174096"},{"teacherId":4492857,"projectId":9072412,"letterContent":"The addition of the fluorescent light covers has transformed my classroom into a much more welcoming and inviting space. My students noticed the change immediately, and their reactions were priceless—many walked in with wide eyes, smiling, and commenting that the room felt \"calmer\" and \"cozier.\" These light covers have truly changed the atmosphere, making it easier for students to stay focused and feel comfortable during lessons. We use them every day, and they have become a quiet but powerful tool in creating a learning environment where students want to be.\r\nIn addition to the light covers, the markers have become a student favorite and are used nearly every day. My students love grabbing them during downtime or transitions, and it has been such a joy to see them unplug from their phones and instead spend time coloring, doodling, and creating. One of my favorite moments came during a recent small group reading activity, when students asked if we could move closer to the \"soft light side\" of the room because it felt less stressful. That same day, several others used the markers to relax while waiting for their group turn, making the classroom feel like a place where they could truly be themselves. These resources have made our space brighter, calmer, and more creative. Thank you for giving us this gift—it has made a real difference in our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1739369984529,"projectUrl":"project/inviting-classroom-needed/9072412/","projectTitle":"Inviting Classroom Needed","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. DeFrehn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4492857_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764030373847","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4492857"},{"teacherId":4492857,"projectId":8711749,"letterContent":"The Scholastic News project has brought an incredible energy into my middle school classroom by combining high-interest nonfiction texts with engaging digital features that support comprehension. With the online platform, students can listen to articles read aloud, highlight key details, and respond interactively to comprehension questions. This technology gives my readers—especially those who struggle with grade-level texts—the tools to access the same materials as their peers and build confidence in their reading abilities. It has also helped my students practice essential digital literacy skills, such as navigating online articles and using annotation tools, which prepares them for future academic and real-world success.\r\nWhat excites my students most is the interactivity. They love being able to click on vocabulary words for instant definitions, watch short videos that connect to the articles, and even take digital quizzes that give them immediate feedback. The articles themselves spark curiosity because they connect directly to current events and topics middle schoolers find relevant, from science discoveries to cultural celebrations. The technology transforms reading into an active, engaging experience rather than a passive task.\r\nI've noticed that some of my reluctant readers, who often shy away from independent reading, are especially drawn to this resource. One student in particular, who typically avoids participating, now eagerly volunteers to share what he learned from an article because the read-aloud feature helps him understand the text more fully. Others enjoy the independence of being able to revisit articles and explore the features at their own pace. Overall, this technology has opened doors for my students to engage more deeply with nonfiction while building both their literacy skills and their confidence as learners.","fullyFundedDate":1727114289049,"projectUrl":"project/wanted-engaging-current-events/8711749/","projectTitle":"Wanted: Engaging Current Events","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. DeFrehn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4492857_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764030373847","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4492857"},{"teacherId":9711985,"projectId":8892530,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting Odessa Shannon Middle School. My students love the new posters and use them as a writing resource. \r\n\r\nWe have a particularly high population of students who are emerging multi-language learners. Because of this, having posters with a wide range of synonyms expands their vocabulary and adds interest to their writing. \r\n\r\nAdditionally, the other posters functioned as excellent reminders of the types of figurative language while we completed our literary analysis essays about the poems we read in class. \r\n\r\nAlong with the functionality of the posters, students also appreciated the visual upgrade to the classroom as the designs brightened the space. Thank you for helping to create the best possible learning environment for all my students!","fullyFundedDate":1733188380592,"projectUrl":"project/best-learning-environment-for-all/8892530/","projectTitle":"Best Learning Environment for All","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Burtram","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9711985"},{"teacherId":6352329,"projectId":8712822,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your contribution to our project Wolves on Bikes. The tools donated, are helping our students learn and develop the skills for maintaining and repairing the bikes they use during instruction. This year, our PE department will incorporate cycling into our curriculum, allowing all our students to learn a new activity that most of our low-income students cannot access. \r\n\r\nBecause of your generous contribution, we can also teach our students basic bike maintenance and repairs using the tools you donated. Thanks to you, all our students will have equal opportunities to learn and grow regardless of their ability level, immigration, or economic status. From our wolf pack to yours, a million thanks!\r\n\r\nGRACIAS!","fullyFundedDate":1726710217415,"projectUrl":"project/wolves-on-bikes/8712822/","projectTitle":"Wolves on Bikes!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6352329_orig.jpg?crop=542,542,x0,y4&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695320368282","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6352329"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_64797","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":784,"numTeachers":55,"percentFrplEligible":72,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":21,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":64,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":72.4,"schoolId":64797,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Odessa Shannon Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Odessa Shannon Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/maryland/montgomery-county-public-schools/col-e-brooke-lee-middle-school/64797"}
Join the 145 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Odessa Shannon Middle School is
a suburban public school
in Silver Spring, Maryland that is part of Montgomery County Public Schools.
It serves 784 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.3:1.
Its teachers have had 35 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for our school's classrooms. Share this page with friends and family who want to make a difference. If you're a teacher, sign up to get started!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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
91%
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.
Odessa Shannon Middle School 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.
Odessa Shannon Middle School
$20,493
raised using DonorsChoose
35
projects
funded
19
teachers
funded
145
donors
6
projects
for
basic supplies
5
projects for
technology
5
projects for
books
3
projects
for
art supplies
Odessa Shannon Middle School has received support from
105 individuals from Maryland and
40 individuals out-of-state.