NEWS RELEASE
(ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Virginia)—Its website invites members of the community to “Support a classroom. Build a future,” and for more than two decades, DonorsChoose has made it possible for teachers across the country to design and implement classroom learning experiences that have enhanced the way children learn. Here in Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS), teachers have raised more than $300,000 for nearly 700 projects.
In collaboration with the division’s Family Council, which includes parent representatives from every school, ACPS recently announced a formal partnership with DonorsChoose that will spawn new opportunities to advance the division’s strategic goal of thriving students. The goal, which is one of three in the division’s strategic plan, Learning for All, commits the division to “facilitate learning experiences grounded in high expectations, networks of care, and student curiosity to ensure academic and social-emotional development for all students while eliminating opportunity, access and achievement gaps.”
Assistant Superintendent for School Community Engagement, Dr. Daphne Keiser, said of the new partnership, “A closer relationship with DonorsChoose opens doors to learning. Every member of our community has the opportunity to join with our teachers in adding authentic, challenging, relevant and inclusive learning experiences for students.”
That support begins by visiting the list of teacher projects on the ACPS DonorsChoose site. While the list is updated on a regular basis, there currently are 15 projects seeking funding in amounts ranging from $120 to $1,674. Project goals range from providing learning materials and resources to expanding access to food for students in need, combatting bullying, eliminating chronic absenteeism, and more.
Visitors to the site can click on a project summary to see more details about each project and make a contribution in any amount. In many cases, a contribution can be matched by another donor, increasing the value of even a modest gift.
“We’re excited to have Albemarle County Public Schools as a new member of the DonorsChoose District Partnership Program,” said Alix Guerrier, the Chief Executive Officer of DonorsChoose. “We know teachers and administrators work hard to make sure students succeed.
The DonorsChoose community currently consists of more than four million donors. So far, Guerrier said, ACPS teachers have raised $321,648, with 20% of these donations from people who do not live in Virginia. “We can't wait to see how the DonorsChoose community adds to its support of these highly dedicated and selfless educators through this partnership,” he said.
“We are proud to be a formal partner in the DonorsChoose network,” said Keiser. “Their mission to ‘make it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education,’ is a powerful difference maker at such a critical time in public education,” she said.
Keiser also underscored the fit between the organization and the school division’s most important priorities, beginning with a commitment to equity in learning opportunities for all students.
“Our team works to inspire as much support as possible for teachers of color and for schools that serve low-income communities and Black, Latino, and Native American students,” Guerrier said.
Keiser added that the partnership with DonorsChoose offers yet another pathway to fulfilling all four of the school division’s values—equity, excellence, family and community, and wellness. The division has established a DonorsChoose web page with more information about the partnership and its objectives.
CONTACT: Phil Giaramita, Public Affairs & Strategic Communications Officer
PHONE: 434-972-4049