Hamilton County Schools launches online fundraising campaign for teachers

Hamilton County Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson, lower left, listens to a group of 10 transition team members during a working lunch to discuss ideas to improve the county's schools.
Hamilton County Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson, lower left, listens to a group of 10 transition team members during a working lunch to discuss ideas to improve the county's schools.

Hamilton County Schools, in partnership with the Community Foundation, have launched a crowdsourced fundraising campaign for teachers in the district's Opportunity Zone schools.

Using the website, Donors Choose, the campaign allows teachers to post individual projects and seek donations for their classrooms.

Through a $10,000 gift from the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, all donations made to each project will be matched.

"Across the country, schools that excel can point to community involvement and participation as a key factor for success," said Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, in a statement. "The effort to support the schools in Hamilton County's Opportunity Zone is a community collaboration that will impact learning for children."

All teachers projects will be posted online at www.donorschoose.org/hcdeopportunity. Donors can browse various projects - as many as 25 will eventually be launched - and give to as many classrooms as they like.

Once a teacher's project reaches half of its goal, the Community Foundation will fund the remainder of the project.

"We believe that engaging our community in supporting our public schools, teachers and students is critical to student success," said Maeghan Jones, Community Foundation president, in a statement. "The DonorsChoose platform makes it easy for anyone to support a classroom in need, helping to ensure that all students have the tools and experiences they need for a great education."

According to Donors Choose, teachers across the United States have collectively raised over half a billion dollars to improve their students' educational outcomes through projects posted online, according to a release from the school district.

Using the platform enables teachers to meet the particular needs of their students while also igniting a passion for learning among their students.

Through Donors Choose, teachers have successfully raised funds to purchase supplies such as books, microscopes, art supplies, digital technology and flexible seating for their students.

Contact staff writer Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.

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