Teacher hopes donations will aid students

A first-grade teacher at Wellton Elementary School is hoping to include more technology in her classroom to bolster reading instruction for her students.

Through DonorsChoose.org the community has the opportunity to donate any amount they wish to help Cassondra Payne's classroom purchase four Kindle Fire devices to be used not only as E-Readers but also for other educational activities.

“Books can be downloaded for the students to read and listen to,” she said. “This is especially helpful, as it is sometimes difficult to keep up with the need for on-level text that my students should be reading. We currently have a listening station that has four tape decks. As I'm sure anyone who has ever used a cassette must know, this turns into a huge mess with first graders. Our selection is also of course limited. There are programs that can be used on the (Kindles) for word work activities and other things across subject areas.”

To donate, visit Payne's teacher page at http://www.donorschoose.org/project/daily-5-dash/935804/ and choose the “give” button. During check-out, enter the word INSPIRE where it says “Match or gift code” and any donation given will be matched dollar for dollar until Dec. 21 by the DonorsChoose.org board of directors. All other donations can be submitted until May 12.

“Any donation, no matter the size, will help my kids,” she said. “These devices will help in many ways. The exposure to technology in itself is a huge deal for my students. They are really motivated by it, and it is of course a real life skill that can be used down the road.”

Payne explained that although she would of course encourage people do help donate to her project, there are also many other projects that people can browse through on the website as it is a reputable source that many teachers use to get needed items for their classroom.

“In education, it is often difficult to obtain materials that are not deemed absolutely necessary,” she commented. “Things are tighter than ever with education funding, and it is nice to have an option to get materials your school or district may not be able to otherwise afford. Whether you can donate one dollar or five hundred, every single penny counts... If even one student can benefit from this technology, than the money will not have been wasted. I am willing to do whatever it takes to reach each and every one of my students.”