How One Teacher Created Her Makerspace With ClassTag Rewards

As schools throughout the country resumed their classes this year, ClassTag announced the 10 winning teachers of its Parent-Teacher Engagement Contest. Each winner received $1,000 in ClassTag Rewards, redeemable for free classroom supplies ranging from learning technology to the basics like pens and notebooks.

Parent-teacher engagement is often the single greatest factor in student academic success, yet teachers still struggle to get parents plugged into their child’s classroom activities. As part of the contest, teachers were asked to share their personal stories of measures they have taken to engage their students’ parents in their classroom.

One of these teachers, Christina Curlett from New Jersey, told us that every week, her students collaborate on a newsletter using Google Classroom and Google Docs. They write about what they’ve been learning in class and the finished newsletter is sent home to parents at the end of the week. Parents love reading content created by their children!

I am so absolutely THRILLED to be one of 10 lucky teachers to win a prize from @classtagme ! I’m using the points to fund supplies for my class #makerspace! Thank you, #ClassTag ! #TeamUpForTeachers @JJESOwls https://t.co/xbTg34Dt6T

— Christina Curlett (@mrscurlett) September 3, 2018

Christina currently teaches Grade 2 at James H. Johnson Elementary School and has been teaching for 16 years. She used her rewards to fund her classroom’s makerspace.

When I found out I won, I couldn’t believe it! I was so excited, because I had wanted to create a makerspace in my classroom, and now I’d have the funding to do so. – Christina Curlett

She began using ClassTag at the beginning of this school year. “I love all of the options for activities – events, conferences, volunteers, etc. It’s such a great way to keep class communication organized!” she says.

The items I ordered for my #makerspace are starting to come in! Thank you, @classtagme ! @JJESOwls #BeBraveBeBoldBeYou pic.twitter.com/94OOGnPppM

— Christina Curlett (@mrscurlett) September 5, 2018

So far, Christina has redeemed her ClassTag Rewards for two robots: Cubetto and Code & Go Robot Mouse, Roller Coaster Challenge, E-Blox, LEGO Chain Reaction parts, Snap Circuits, and a Gears! Gears! Gears! Building set. Everything she needed to get her students started with engineering and coding in her classroom!

More items for our #makerspace courtesy of @classtagme ! I’m especially excited about getting our #cubetto ! #BeBraveBeBoldBeYou @JJESOwls pic.twitter.com/aFKz0BzJH4

— Christina Curlett (@mrscurlett) September 7, 2018

When asked what advice she’d pass along to other teachers regarding classroom funding and expenses, she replied: “Look for all kinds of opportunities for funding … you’d be surprised at what’s out there!”

Vlada Lotkina, Founder and CEO of ClassTag, says, “At ClassTag we want to assure every teacher is equipped with the tools they need for the success of every student. We are thrilled to award such amazing educators who go above and beyond as we approach the new school year.”

ClassTag is the free, easy-to-use collaborative platform that lets teachers effortlessly engage with parents and earn ClassTag Coins when parents and teachers communicate, volunteer, or attend school events like parent teacher conferences. Now teachers can not only improve parent engagement, but get much needed supplies while doing so. Explore ClassTag today!