Solutions for Durham Public Schools
RootEd in Community
Launched in March 2026: Tickets for Teachers!
Durham Community: Can’t make it to a show or game? Skip the hassle of reselling your event tickets and let us put them to work for a great cause! We quickly connect your donated tickets—whether you have weeks of notice or a last-minute cancellation—directly with Durham Public Schools teachers and staff who would be thrilled to attend. Donating your tickets is more than just a nice gesture; it’s an investment in our schools. When educators feel appreciated and supported by their community, they thrive in the classroom, inspire our students, and build long-lasting careers right here in DPS. Learn more here!
What is RootEd in DPS?
RootEd in DPS connects Durham’s diverse community talents and resources directly with the needs of classrooms, schools, DPS staff, and the broader DPS community. RootEd is actively recruiting Durham’s many talented citizens to get involved with DPS–to put their talents to work in meaningful ways. RootEd in DPS regularly engages with every DPS school. After consulting with each school’s leadership and support groups, such as parents, RootEd in DPS then facilitates a “handshake” that aligns school priorities with available community support–what we call “Tailored Volunteering.”
Check out our Current Projects
Why is RootEd Coming to Durham Public Schools?
Matt Sears, RootEd in DPS’s Chief Connector, has spent his career in service of Durham Public Schools. As a DPS teacher, parent, neighborhood organizer, and School Board member, Matt’s been working to improve DPS for over 20 years and is excited to bring RootEd to Durham Public Schools.
RootEd has spent years creating bold, authentic learning experiences that are rooted in community. RootEd connectors and volunteers build communities of educators, students, coaches and partners who work together to solve local and regional challenges.
Matt has spent a lot of time listening to the Durham residents, who like to support DPS, but don’t always know how or where to make a difference. RootEd in DPS will help them navigate DPS and discover meaningful ways to support students, teachers and families.
Matt also believes that supporting DPS means doing this work with DPS schools, not to DPS schools. Matt is expanding RootEd’s projects to include not only real-world learning experiences, but also projects for schools, for DPS staff, and for the larger DPS community.
Leading Door-Knocking Campaigns
Matt designed and executed a multi-neighborhood, door-knocking campaign in 2023 to educate the Durham community on changes coming to school zones. Little River Elementary’s principal educates door-knockers on his school and its programming.
How Do I Get Involved and Support?
Join Us! List Your Talents and Interests and We'll Search for a Match with DPS Schools with Tailored Volunteering opportunities.
