This post is sponsored by Staples
As part of Staples continuing their long-standing commitment to supporting education through the Staples for Students program, today they announced they’re are funding all literacy projects and all career & college prep projects that were listed on DonorsChoose.org in Washington, D.C. as of this morning. This huge announcement is part of their $1 million donation to DonorsChoose.org, a charity that has funded more than 700,000 classroom projects for teachers and has positively affected more than 18 million U.S. students. The $117,795 donation from Staples helps 103 DC teachers make more happen in local classrooms and impacts more than 8,000 students across 58schools in the community.
One of the teachers who received full funding for her DonorsChoose.org project was Ms. Shanette Covington, a 5th year teacher from Kelly Miller Middle School. Her project called Real Self-Published Authors Launching Major Careers at Just 12-Years-Old focused building literacy and language skills to help students establish themselves as authors and entrepreneurs.
She requested $538 in funding and will receive a laptop, digital voice recorder and digital camera. These new tools will allow students to transcribe interviews and edit manuscripts on the go, record interviews and document the sequence of events.
Following the exciting surprise that DonorsChoose.org was going to fully fund her project, I had the opportunity to talk with Ms. Covington about the upcoming school year and the impact that this donation will have on the students in her classroom.
Tech Savvy Mama— What are you most looking forward to about this school year?
Ms. Shanette Covington— I’m looking forward to my students challenging themselves to be better and accomplishing greatness.
Tech Savvy Mama— What do you see as being the biggest challenge for today’s teachers?
Ms. Shanette Covington— Teachers have such big hearts, but the challenge is finding a way to obtain the resources to help our students become successful. By funding my project on DonorsChoose.org, Staples gave me the resources to make this happen.
Tech Savvy Mama— You have been using DonorsChoose.org since 2013. I see your projects have helped fund digital media supplies for 21st century learning, products to help your students animate video games, and items needed for students to create a professional career portfolio as musicians. I am most impressed with the meaningful learning you are doing in your classroom through these projects. Can you tell me a bit about the impact these projects have had on your students and why funding from DonorsChoose.org was so critical for your public school classroom?
Ms. Shanette Covington— The impact on my students is huge. My students are in middle school, and they’re already starting to figure out the professional path they want to choose after school. They’re organizing their lives and taking their personal brands seriously. This donation from Staples is critical because my projects on DonorsChoose.org help give my students real life education.
Tech Savvy Mama— What was going through your head when Staples and DonorsChoose.org surprised you on the air with this announcement?
Ms. Shanette Covington— I was so surprised! I just wanted to share my students’ voices and let people know what goes on in our classroom. I didn’t expect this surprise, and it shows how much Staples cares about supporting education.
Tech Savvy Mama— With so many successfully funded DonorsChoose.org projects to date, I know there is probably a laundry list of items your students could benefit from. Can you give me hint about what your next DonorsChoose.org project might be?
Ms. Shanette Covington— My next project will be for television production equipment. My students want to create a reality television series that chronicles what we do in my classroom.
Donate in Store or Snapchat While Shopping to Help Local Teachers
As part of the Staples for Students program, Staples and Katy Perry continue to help teachers across the country this back-to-school season. Katy Perry has been helping Staples raise awareness of how easy it is to support teachers by making a $1 donation either in stores or online at www.StaplesForStudents.com, with proceeds funding DonorsChoose.org projects.
DonorsChoose.org makes it easy to help teachers at your child’s school, fund subject specific projects submitted by teachers around the country thanks to their simple search feature, and see a list of projects that are getting close to being fully funded if you want to give those a boost. You can also or donate directly to DonorsChoose.org when you shop at Staples in-store or online. Beginning in early August, every customer who donates in-store will receive a free, exclusive Katy Perry pencil, while supplies last.
Washington, D.C. residents can secure more donations for their local classrooms by using the Staples for Students Snapchat Geofilter. Beginning August 11th and running through August 12th, every use of the Staples for Students Snapchat Geofilter will trigger a $1 donation (up to $5,000) from Staples to be used towards Washington D.C. classroom projects on DonorsChoose.org. The Geofilter will be available for use in the Staples store located at 1250 H Street N.W. and in the surrounding area.
Sponsored Geofilters allow brands to take part in Snaps sent between friends on Snapchat – a platform used by over 100 million people each day. When Snapchatters take a Snap in a certain area, they’ll be able to see a Geofilter and use it to explain where, when and why they took the Snap.
Win a $50,000 Scholarship from Staples & Chance to Meet Katy Perry
Now through September 10, fans who spend $25 or more in any Staples store will receive a unique entry code on their receipt to enter the sweepstakes online at StaplesForStudents.com.
One grand prize winner will win a $50,000 scholarship plus a trip for two to Los Angeles to meet Katy Perry. Four first prize winners and one guest each will also win air travel to Los Angeles, two nights stay and spending money to meet Katy Perry at the VIP Winners Celebration. Entries must be submitted before September 10, 2016 at 11:59 PM ET and entrants must be 13 years or older.
For official contest rules, or to learn more about Katy Perry teaming up with Staples to help teachers and classrooms, visit StaplesForStudents.com.
I was compensated for this post but opinions are my own and based on personal experience. Images courtesy of Staples and DonorsChoose.org.
