Berkeley Teachers Seek Donations For Their Classrooms

BERKELEY, CA — Whether it’s for a classroom in need of art supplies, a library that needs more comfortable seating or funding for new science kits — teachers are connecting this school year with those who are willing to help enrich the lives of students in Berkeley.

DonorsChoose offers a space for teachers to share project requests to improve the quality of education for their students across California and the nation.

Here in Berkeley, teachers at Berkeley High School; Willard Middle School; Cragmont and Ruth Acty elementary schools; and Malcolm X Arts Elementary Magnet School have listed 12 projects on DonorsChoose.

The education crowdfunding nonprofit allows people everywhere to search for and donate to classroom projects that will help students gain access to quality supplies, opportunities and resources.

Teachers in America spend an average of $700 of their own money to provide their students with pencils, paper, books, art supplies and technology, according to DonorsChoose.

On average, public school teachers in California make a base salary of $61,595 per year, according to data from Salary.com.

Nearly 100,000 teachers are currently seeking donors across the nation.

The nonprofit vets every teacher request and only sends supplies, not cash, to classrooms. Donations to teachers are tax deductible and guaranteed to be spent as the donor describes, according to the platform.

Ms. Potmesil needs 3 chairs for students in the counseling office at the high school, Ms. Ellberg needs new books for her elementary school classroom, while Ms. Paraiso needs financial literacy materials for the middle school. See all 12 projects seeking donations.

DonorsChoose was started by Charles Best in 2000, a history teacher at a Bronx public high school.