As public schools seek more and more referendums, it is evident that schools are getting less and less funding and some teachers are seeking support in other avenues. Owen-Withee Elementary teacher Lisa Westaby reached out online to help fund a classroom project. She set out to raise money through an app called Donors Choose and happily reached her goal of $631. 

“Brains are funny things,” Westaby wrote. “Some people think that you are only learning if you are breaking a sweat and grinding your teeth, but what if learning was practice…what if learning was trial and error, what if learning was fun? What if learning was…play?”

Westaby gave examples of how playing can lead to learning. Dramatic play can facilitate learning, for example, when a child pays money for a Playdoh cookie. 

“I teach them the rules of phonics, and it sneaks up in their writing down their care instructions for a sick stuffed animal at our vet clinic,” she said. 

On the site, Westaby requested money to purchase learning materials and toys that promote imaginative learning opportunities, such as camping equipment and household items, building items and other mindful toys. 

Mrs. Westaby and her students are grateful to Donors Choose and the people who donated which include: A Wisconsin Family Foundation (who matched all donations), Cara Frank, Don and Deb Baures, Laura Baures, Carmella Fredrick and an anonymous donor.