To introduce my students, I'd like to quote Karen Clay: "The severity of one's disability does not determine their level of potential. The greatest barriers that persons with disabilities have to overcome are not steps or curbs, it's expectations." My students are 9th and 10th graders with profoundly severe disabilities who attend a special school specially designed just for them.
My students are resilient, persistent, fun, kind, unique, and adaptable - we see their potential and encourage them to reach it and expand upon it daily.
In our class we spend a lot of time working on functional skills (e.g. communication, cooking, dressing, chores, basic academics, job skills, etc.) so that my students can be as independent as possible in their daily lives. We have high expectations and know they can achieve them.
In order to fully reach their potential, my students benefit the most from in-person instruction. However, due to seasonal illnesses and now due to COVID-19 in addition, there are health risks associated with in-person instruction. With your help, we can improve the safety of our classroom and my students can continue to learn and grow to their highest potential.
My Project
My special education students learn best with in-person instruction, but because they are still learning hygiene skills they are also at greater risk of sharing germs with one another and our staff. With the current COVID-19 pandemic the danger of sharing germs has increased, especially because my students have severe sensory sensitivities and are unable to tolerate wearing masks. Although our school is taking every precaution possible to keep our students safe, there is always room for improvement.
An air purifier in my classroom would cycle fresh air into the room an additional two times per hour, keeping the air cleaner and minimizing the spread of germs that could lead to COVID-19, influenza, pneumonia, etc.
By improving the quality of the air in my classroom my students will be more likely to maintain good health, therefore missing less school days due to regular illness, decreasing the likelihood of catching COVID-19, and increasing their ability to continue in-person instruction.
Please help me provide my students and staff with an air purifier to create a safer space where we can breather easier (both figuratively and literally!) and focus on helping my students reach their full potential.
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. Sadler and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
