Helping Teachers, One Wish at a Time

By drodriguez Oct 01, 2008

Every teacher knows how difficult it can be to keep their classrooms stocked with the essential tools their students need to learn. The lack of funding in public schools has been a problem for a long time and does not seem to be getting any better. One organization getting ready to launch hopes to make a difference for teachers, parents, and most importantly the student.

The nonprofit organization is called ClassWish. The organization will be set up as a network for parent organizations, teachers and administrators to connect. A teacher in need of supplies can log on to the ClassWish.org website, find the needed supplies and create a wish list. In turn, parents or anyone wishing to donate can go on and read the teacher’s inspiring story and purchase the items from the wish list.

Too many teachers spend their hard earned paychecks on buying necessary educational tools that schools just cannot afford. Officials from ClassWish.org point out that school fundraisers, where students and parents end up selling candy and gifts, are often disruptive and less than half of the profit is actually put toward the school itself. In a survey conducted, two thirds of elementary school principals admitted they would rather not do the fundraisers if there was another alternative.

Class Wish seems like it will be a great alternative to school fundraisers by allowing people to almost instantaneously place a much needed item in a teacher’s classroom. The ClassWish network also allows parents to see exactly where their tax-deductible donations are going. Plus, you can feel a lot better about giving to a child’s school without having to stash fifty candy bars in the crisper.

What do you think of what the ClassWish organization is doing?

Does their website sound like something you might use to make donations?

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Comments

by agranote | Fenton, MO

Oct 09, 2008

I love this, my mother is a teacher and she is always buying things for the classroom out of her own money. What a great idea!!

by jswank | New Hope, PA

Oct 08, 2008

As a teacher, I am so excited to be sharing this idea with my colleagues. There are so many things I "wish" I could have. Now, maybe those dreams might come true!

by Happyme | Shell Lake, WI

Oct 08, 2008

At our school, the teacher always has a wish list. I try to do what I can. Where we live we do not have to buy anything but send in school supplies for our kids. The local food pantry also runs a school supply list at the stores for donations. This idea may help someone like me, help a city school. I hate fundraisers wont do them and will not let my kids do them. I always try to give a straight out check to the school.

by msfriendly | MONROE, WI

Oct 07, 2008

This is a great idea...so simple but should help so much!

by Salemsw | Millbury, MA

Oct 06, 2008

Great idea!!!

by tink5391 | East Durham, NY

Oct 05, 2008

I agree that this is a great idea. As a teacher there have been years where I have spent almost a thousand dollars getting supplies and other things for my students/classroom. With a site like this, it would be nice to get the community involved. Staples has been a help because when they have their back to school sales, they let teachers get up to 25 of whatever it is on sale for cheap or free.

by edohpa | Venango, PA

Oct 04, 2008

This is awesome!!! I went to the site and signed up!! Hopefully they get up and running soon. I would love to be able to just go to a site and see what is needed from my childrens teachers and help out if possible. I already send stuff in whenever I am asked but to just be able to see a list would be great.

by armywife98 | fort bragg, NC

Oct 04, 2008

This is a wonderful idea I can't count how many times my kids teachers ask for us to send in additional supplies. I think that this is going to be very helpful and I am going to pass this info on to my kids teachers.

by lhobbit | EASTON, MD

Oct 03, 2008

That is a wonderful idea. Especially in today's economy it is so important for those who can help to do it.

by tripletsnthree | florence, OR

Oct 03, 2008

I think this is a fantastic idea. Hopefully the plan is put into action soon. It is sad that our society has not done something like this sooner. Teachers put forth so much of their time and energy into the wellness of our children it is astounding that they would have to use ANY of their hard earned money towards our children's education. Its bad enough that MOST teachers are underpaid and then to leave them with the responsibility to supply our children with supplies is just sad. Clearly some people may not be able to afford as much as others, but I think many of us can afford something. I would be delighted to give toward our schools in this way. I think that the comment above by "haveitoldyoulately' is a wonderful idea. Thank you for such a great idea. I will join in the action from my end. I know that in the begiing of the shcool year wallymart sells crayola crayons for 20c a pack and other supplies as well for around that price.

by dedezozo | AVON LAKE, OH

Oct 02, 2008

I am a teacher and use my own money to buy my supplies as well. The idea of the community being able to help donate items to my classroom is just fabulous! I hope that more people decide to donate to their local schools. Thank you to all of you who already donate time, money and supplies. It is appreciated.

by haveitoldyoulately | BROOKLYN, NY

Oct 01, 2008

Absolutely.......what a fantastic idea. I was made aware of teachers having to spend their own money by a friend, who is a 1st grade teacher in a rather poor area. Last year, about 2 weeks before school began, she made a list and headed to the nearest Staples etc. for supplies. Spending way over $400.00. I was stunned, and wanted to help. Unable to just plop $400 down....I tried to help on a smaller scale. So from that day on, each time I went to a variety store or 99cent store...I would pick up a few items, like, crayons, construction paper, pencils, rulers, note pads, etc. By the time the first day of school arrived in September....you cannot believe how much I had accumulated throughout the year. I began collecting again for next year...last week while in the 99cent store, the owner asked what I did with all these crayons and pencils. When I told her, she gave me a case of crayons for the children. I have told friends, and they now too want to adopt a class.