Manchester teacher selected as donor's choice

Like many teachers, Michelle Bouchard has discovered that raising funds for specific classroom needs can be done more effectively online. Web sites such as DonorsChoose.org and AdoptAClassroom.org are designed to provide a way for teachers to make requests for financial contributions toward education resources. Teachers have successfully collected funding to pay for supplies, technology, classroom furniture, and even field trips that would have otherwise busted budgets.

Ms. Bouchard, who teaches first grade at Northwest Elementary School, was surprised to find out that television station FOX25 Boston fully funded her latest DonorsChoose request for colorful card stock and printer ink.

"Purchasing card stock and printer ink will help create colorful center activities that enhance our classroom learning," Ms.Bouchard explained in her online submission. "Having these materials in color and on durable card stock will ensure that the children can use these materials frequently year after year. The colorful copies will draw students to the activities in ways that black and white copies cannot compare."


Ms. Bouchard estimated that the supplies she needed cost about $300. FOX25 focused part of its back to school news coverage on funding DonorsChoose projects in its viewing area and randomly selected Ms. Bouchard to receive the financial boost to reach her goal.

FOX25 Morning News meteorologist Shiri Spear visited Ms. Bouchard's class to tell her about the TV station's support, From now until September 11, FOX25 is surprising teachers who have posted their needs through DonorsChoose.