Schoolteachers Receive Support From Mazda Through DonorsChoose

Dawes Elementary School teacher Amani Ghusein is one of two Dawes Elementary School teachers who had their DonorsChoose wish lists filled by Mazda. Photo provided by Tassi Communications.
Dawes Elementary School teacher Amani Ghusein is one of two Dawes Elementary School teachers who had their DonorsChoose wish lists filled by Mazda. Photo provided by Tassi Communications.

Schoolteachers Receive Support From Mazda Through DonorsChoose

By Tia Carol Jones

Two local Elementary school teachers recently received the gift of having their wish lists fully funded, thanks to DonorsChoose and Mazda. Amani Ghusein and Sarah Klima, who teach at Dawes Elementary School had their entire wish lists funded on Giving Tuesday. Both teachers agreed that DonorsChoose is essential to their classrooms being able to have much needed items.

DonorsChoose is an online fundraising platform that allows teachers to request items and get those items funded by people. The teachers get a box filled with the items they requested. Ghusein has been using DonorsChoose since 2004 and has had more than 450 projects funded, everything from robotics kits to LEGO engineering sets to the incubators needed to hatch baby chicks.

Klima has been using DonorsChoose since 2015 to request books that her students can take home so they can read with family members. Kilma said the children are excited when the DonorsChoose box comes and they know they have new books to read.

“It’s incredibly helpful, because books are not cheap and to have them donated to our classroom on a regular basis from writing grants has been really just a true gift for the students and for me,” Klima said. She added that she has also had different DonorsChoose supply lists granted, which has enabled her to replenish pencils, glue and scissors, which before she started using the platform was coming out of her own pocket.

Ghusein said that her class shines every day because her students have the resources and they are excited to learn and grow. She said because of DonorsChoose, she is able to do some amazing things and make the classroom meaningful, engaging and exciting. Both Ghusein and Klima said they were very excited when they learned they would have their wish lists fully funded.

“For me as a teacher, this support can change what I’m able to offer my students. It will allow me to create meaningful, engaging lessons in a classroom environment where kids are valued, inspired, and excited to learn. It gives my students hope, pride and opportunities they would have never had otherwise,” Ghusein said.

Klima has 30 students in her homeroom and also teaches two other classrooms, so she teaches about 90 students. She said the students are curious, they want to learn and are engaged in what they are learning. She added that with all the technology available, having an actual book is a big deal for herself and the students. Ghusein services all 913 students at Dawes Elementary School. She said the students come to school ready to learn and they are excited to learn. Both teachers said they are grateful for the support from DonorsChoose.

The flash funding from Mazda for Ghusein and Kilma’s wish lists is part of a $100,000 commitment from Mazda to fund items for teachers across the United States and match up to $150,000 in community contributions on DonorsChoose. Nicole Hubbell, the Midwest Regional Marketing Manager, said the Mazda’s Be Moved community engagement program, is dedicated to helping people discover what moves them and education is one of the best ways for people to truly discover what moves them.

“Amani and Sarah are dedicated teachers who are committed to creating bright, warm and inviting classroom environments. In selecting lists to clear, Amani and Sarah stood out as they are constantly looking for engaging, hands on material to expand their lessons and inspire their students,” Hubbell said in an email response. “Passionate teachers like Amani and Sarah can have a huge impact on students and can transform quiet students into leaders, hesitant learners into confident problem solvers, and give students hope, pride and opportunities they might not have had otherwise.”

Hubbell added that it is Mazda’s goal to give teachers access to some of the resources they need to foster innovation and discovery in their classrooms. Additionally, the support aims to empower students to engage in STEM projects that will inspire their future dreams and careers, while inspiring the next generation of innovators.

For more information about DonorsChoose, visit www.donorschoose.org. For more information about Mazda, visit www.mazdausa.com.



Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

Stacy Davis Gates