The “Adopt-A-Classroom” program partners donors with educators, to fund the purchase of classroom materials and resources, according to the organization’s website.
Resident Steve Terrell set up the account on behalf of the School System. He said he has seen the need for extra funding through his wife, Dalia, who teaches at Sylacauga High School.
“The teachers have to buy their own supplies,” Terrell said. “We’re lucky, we can afford that. But a lot of teachers can’t and a lot of kids can’t afford to bring in the supplies they need to work with.”
The School System was placed on the organization’s list in August. Terrell said around $2,000 has been raised since then.
Business teacher Carol Sprayberry was one of 21 teachers from the high school available to donate to. Sprayberry said she has received $500 in donations for her classroom.
“I think it’s a great Web site to utilize,” she said. “I wish more teachers would tap into it. They’ve made it very user-friendly, they’ve even set up flyers you can print up and they’ve got e-mails already prepared.”
Terrell said he and his wife had already seen how efficient the program was, after she ordered supplies through the site. He also said it was a good way to guarantee all the money goes directly to the classroom.
“All the money goes to the teacher, it’s totally not-for-profit and it’s tax deductible [for donors],” Terrell said. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”
People who wish to donate can go to www.adoptaclassroom.org. Next, you choose the state and the city, which pulls up the list of schools in the area.
Individual teachers who have signed up for the program are listed at their school.
Terrell added he would send a form to people who were hesitant to donate online.
“If they want to e-mail me, I’ll send them a form and I’ll give them an envelope to send it back in,” he said. “Whatever it takes.”
Steve Terrell can be reached at steve@steveterrell.com.
