MARS HILL, Maine — Central Aroostook High School teacher Samantha Drost was recently selected as a DonorsChoose.org National Teacher Ambassador for Aroostook County.
The nonprofit DonorsChoose benefits teachers impacted by funding restrictions by funding projects in public schools across the country.
The program began in 2000 when Charles Best, a teacher at a Bronx public high school, wanted his students to read “Little House on the Prairie.” As he was making photocopies of the one book he could procure, he thought about what he and colleagues were spending on books, art supplies and other materials. He figured there were people out there who’d want to help, if they could see where their money was going.
Best sketched out a website where teachers could post classroom project requests, and donors could choose the ones they wanted to support. His colleagues posted the first 11 requests. The idea spread, and today, DonorsChoose is open to every public school in the U.S.
As ambassador, Drost is helping local teachers to post projects for their classrooms. Teachers have submitted projects ranging from new tables to learning support to basic hygiene necessities for students.
According to Drost, citizens from all over the country have been generously supporting CAHS classrooms. Over the last four years, CAHS has received over $15,000 worth of classroom and student supplies. One recent morning, teachers woke up to news that all their live projects were being funded.
For more information on posting a project, funding a project or to find out about DonorsChoose, contact Drost at sdrost@sad42.us or go to the DonorsChoose.org website.
