Welcome to my classroom! I am a special education teacher in the Complex Learners Cohort. I have the privilege of working with six middle-school students with complex learning and behavioral needs who don't let anything stand in the way of reaching for the stars!
This year, I will be working with six eighth graders!
Most of my students are on the autism spectrum, but in my classroom we choose to focus on each child's ABILITIES, in contrast to their disabilities. It is our mission to empower each child to navigate this world independently, successfully, and happily!
We are fortunate to be included in a public school setting with an accepting school culture that embraces our students for who they are. My students have the opportunity to participate in general education, develop relationships with other students and staff, and find their niche within the larger school community.
Each of my students in supported by a comprehensive school-based team, comprised of a special education teacher, speech and language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, school psychologist, school social worker, and board certified behavior analyst. Our unique team approach allows us to provide each child with the supports they need!
My Project
My students are preparing for a transition to the high school environment next year, which is very exciting! As students reach adulthood, our team really tries to prepare them for the real-world, in hopes that doing so at an early age will allow each child to flourish in the larger community. We are becoming increasingly aware that many of the supports our students rely on in elementary and middle school are no longer available in the real-world. We are therefore looking to teach our students as early as possible about some real-world replacements! These replacements will allow our students to continue accessing the supports they need in the most realistic way possible.
I have reflected on how all of my students have benefited from the use of an OT swing during their school years thus far. An OT swing is not available at the high school and certainly would not be accessible at a job-site in my students' future. I discussed replacing the OT swing with rocking chairs with my OT.
My consulting OT suggested that a rocking chair would provide the same sensory input that a swing would for students who require that sort of movement to modulate their emotions and behaviors.
The added benefit is that rocking chairs are found commonly throughout the larger community and are more age-appropriate than the previously used swings. My students will be able to use these rocking chairs now to prepare them for a smooth transition to the high school and the world beyond!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Cave and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.