Each week at ED News Daily we highlight a meaningful classroom project from DonorsChoose, a nonprofit that connects teachers with donors to fund classroom resources. DonorsChoose helps educators request specific materials, technology, and supplies that directly benefit students, making it easier for classrooms—especially those in high-poverty communities—to access the tools they need for improved learning experiences.

DonorsChoose provides a straightforward platform where teachers describe their classroom needs, explain how requested items will be used, and share the impact those resources will have on student learning. Supporters can browse projects by subject, location, or type of resource, and give directly to the projects that matter most to them. This direct-link model ensures donors see exactly where their contributions go and how they support teachers and students in real classrooms.

To learn more about DonorsChoose and its mission, you can visit their website. The organization was founded by Charles Best, who started DonorsChoose to give teachers a simple, transparent way to request resources and to engage communities in supporting public education.

Help! We Need a Projector That Shows Its True Colors

Mr. DeBernardi, a teacher at Jack Benny Middle School in Waukegan, IL, has posted a technology request on DonorsChoose for a classroom projector. His project, titled “Help! We Need A Projector That Shows It’s True Colors,” explains how a reliable, color-accurate projector will transform classroom instruction and student engagement.

In many modern classrooms, visual presentations, multimedia lessons, and projected student work are central to instruction. A high-quality projector not only improves image clarity and color fidelity but also supports a wider variety of lesson formats: from interactive science demonstrations to student multimedia presentations and whole-class reading or math modeling. For students who struggle with attention or who benefit from visual supports, clear projection makes concepts more accessible and helps teachers deliver instruction more effectively.

At Jack Benny Middle School, where many families face economic challenges, classroom resources are often limited. Teachers like Mr. DeBernardi frequently stretch budgets to provide essential learning materials. A donated projector would fill a gap that classroom budgets cannot always cover, enabling lessons that rely on color accuracy—such as art, science diagrams, maps, and multimedia projects—to be presented as intended. Better visuals can lead to improved comprehension, more meaningful class discussions, and stronger student work.

If you’d like to read more about the project, view details of the classroom, or contribute to the fundraising goal, Mr. DeBernardi’s project page includes a full description of how the projector will be used and the specific benefits for his students. Donors can choose to support the project in any amount; combined contributions help classrooms secure the exact items they requested and provide teachers with the resources to make a measurable difference.

Supporting a DonorsChoose project like this one is a direct way to help teachers deliver higher-quality instruction and to expand opportunities for students who need extra support. Even modest donations add up and can be the difference between a lesson that falls flat and one that truly engages students.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Mr. DeBernardi’s projector request and for considering support for classroom projects through DonorsChoose. Every contribution helps bring essential tools into classrooms and supports student learning in meaningful ways.