Beginning a new school year is not an easy task for teachers.

They buy folders, labels, supplies, teaching tools, and much more, all to help create an environment they feel will lead to the most success for their students. 

As teachers Kari Nee and Julianne Sheehy – who are co-teaching a fifth-grade classroom this year – began to think about how they would set up their room, the pair decided that they wanted tables to create a workshop environment without the distraction of playing in desks. They also concluded that more flex seating options were necessary for ultimate engagement in a happy, comfortable environment.

After spending the summer going to garage sales, teaching stores, and checking clearance racks, Nee and Sheehy were able to purchase some clearance pillows, a chair, and a few books at their student’s reading levels. The duo also quickly realized that they were spending quite a bit of money and were far from where we wanted the room to be.

Rather than requesting District funds made available to all Evergreen Park School District teachers for classroom renovations, Nee and Sheehy turned to Donor’s Choose in an attempt to raise the money on their own.

After researching items that they felt would be useful for their classroom, Nee and Sheehy went on www.donorschoose.org to create a project. They chose the items they needed, and the cost turned out to be about $1,500 in materials.

Within two weeks, the project was fully funded. Family members, friends, friends of friends, former students and even donors who the teachers did not know made Nee and Sheehy’s dream classroom a reality.

“We were overwhelmed by people’s willingness to donate to education,” Nee said.

Their fifth-grade classroom now has five tables, an 8-by-11-foot area rug that is used to read and discuss, two bean-bag chairs, two foldable floor seats, five stools, and a wire book rack.

The materials were delivered the classroom in separate shipments during the first few weeks of school, giving the students the opportunity to open the packages.

“The smiles on our students faces as they were about to open these deliveries were ear to ear,” said Nee, who has received nothing but positive feedback from students.

The teachers have heard the students say everything from “I love the room like this,” to “We are so lucky to have gotten these donations,” and “I love doing my work this way.”  

In addition to the excitement, the Nee and Sheehy have also noticed an improved approach to education among the students.

“It is a true sense of community,” Nee said. “We know this will lead to a true workshop environment.  More homework is being turned in, more student independence is being seen, and more motivation is present.  We are grateful to all of our donors and excited to see where this year takes us.