My students need beanbags, activity scarves and a balance beam to support and inspire active learning based on their severe handicap/special needs in balance, coordination and self help.
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
This year, my district added a new SDC class. We had limited funds to equip the new classroom. The new teacher and myself worked hard to split and share materials. We even found creative solutions from found items to a trade system-rotating materials by theme. We still find ourselves needing basics.
My special needs, preschool class was relocated from one elementary school to another.
We currently have 6 students and expect up to 12 by the end of the year. They all have severe handicaps. All these students have cognitive delays that require special instruction. They struggle with balance, fine and gross motor skills, even postural support and feeding. They just want to be children and play. We know that children learn through play and exploration. Every child deserves this basic opportunity to reach their true potential.
My Project
From bubbles that help them with breath support for language to wagons that encourage spacial relationship in the vestibular system for balance, these supplies are essential for building foundations for learning. These play skills also encourage self pride and joy that promotes further practice of life long learning. In addition, a happy, growing child impacts the nuclear family and the society as well. We all benefit from best practices in education.
Every day I watch these children struggle with basic skills.
Every day I see them smile with joy just to belong in this special place. As an instructor, I know what materials they need to maximize their learning. Nothing beats the joy of a child who has discovered a new skill and beams with self accomplishment. Nothing beats the appreciation of a parent who knows that a program has made a difference in their family's life.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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. Birtola and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
