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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Heelan from Chicago, IL is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Heelan is requesting

Building a Sensory-Friendly Classroom for All Learners

Help me give my students SEL books, calming sensory tools and engaging resources that support their unique learning styles, promote self-regulation, and create a safe, inclusive classroom environment where they can thrive.

  • $1,073 goal

This project expired on December 23, 2025.

This project expired on December 23, 2025.

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

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 Project

My students are incredible young learners in grades K-2 who are all on the autism spectrum. They are curious, creative, and full of joy, and each one brings something uniquely special to our classroom community. What makes them truly amazing is how hard they work every day to overcome challenges and connect with the world around them. With high sensory needs, they benefit most from learning environments that are calm, structured, and designed to support their sensory regulation and communication.

This project will provide essential sensory tools and calming supports that will help my students feel safe, focused, and ready to learn.

Items like fidget tools, weighted lap pads, visual timers, noise-reducing headphones, and Liquid Tiles will make a meaningful difference by helping students manage their sensory input and stay engaged.

These resources will reduce distractions, support emotional regulation, and encourage independence—allowing my students to participate more fully in lessons, build communication skills, and experience success throughout the day.

My goal is to create a classroom environment that supports the whole child—academically, emotionally, and socially.

With your help, I can provide the tools my students need not just to learn, but to truly thrive. Every donation brings us one step closer to a classroom where all students feel supported, included, and proud of who they are.

Ms. Heelan Sandoval Elementary School Grades PreK-2

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Chicago, IL View local requests

Nearly all 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

Never Before Funded 20 students impacted

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Heelan is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Magnetic Wonder Tiles® - Master Set • Lakeshore Learning Materials $119.99 1 $119.99
Special Supplies Square Floor Liquid Tiles for Kids, Set of 9, Colorful Early Learning Sensory Activity Mats for Toddlers and Children, Anti-Slip Backing for Active Play, Dance, and Games • Amazon Business $94.99 1 $94.99
8 Mini Emotion Plush Toys with A Little SPOT of Feelings Hardcover Book Set (fidget toy set, social emotional learning, compassion, calming corner) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $52.00 1 $52.00
Cuddly Puppy Weighted Shoulder Wrap • Lakeshore Learning Materials $49.99 1 $49.99
9 Labeled Sensory Mats w/Lesson Plans | Autism Sensory Products | Preschool Classroom Must Haves | Montessori Toys | Sensory Tiles for Sensory Wall Toys • Amazon Business $47.97 1 $47.97
Fat Brain Toys Plip Kit Silicone Set • Kaplan Early Learning Company $43.16 1 $43.16
Huggle Healers Weighted Stuffed Animals for Adults, Teens and Kids - 40 Inch Long Plush Arms for Hugs - 4.5lb Sloth Stuffed Animal Plushies - Marshmallow Sloth • Amazon Business $42.34 1 $42.34
Time Timer 60 Minute Visual Timer 12 Plastic (TTMTT12BW) • Staples $42.04 1 $42.04
ODOXIA Sequin Wall Panel for Kids | Interactive Sensory Wall Panel & Flip Fabric Board | Reversible Sequin Sensory Wall Decor for Play & Learning | Sensory Room Equipment & Autism Toys • Amazon Business $39.95 1 $39.95
Oun Nana 144 PCS Playdough Tools Set for Kids, Playdough Accessories Various Shape Molds, Animal, Dinosaur, Stamps, Letters, Numbers, Extruder, Scissors, Cutters, Rollers, Dough Mat with Storage Bag • Amazon Business $37.99 1 $37.99
Touch & Match Sensory Addition Cards • Lakeshore Learning Materials $34.99 1 $34.99
Touch & Read Blends & Digraphs Match • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 1 $29.99
330 pcs Building Blocks, Educational Building Toys Stem Toys Building Discs Sets Interlocking Solid Plastic for Preschool Toddlers Girls and Boys by Winlip • Amazon Business $25.99 1 $25.99
MelonArt Kids Ear Protection Earmuffs 3 Pack Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids 27dB Toddler Soundproof Headphones Noise Reduction for Autism Sensory Shooting (Blue & Pink & Green) • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
MelonArt Kids Ear Protection Earmuffs 3 Pack Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids 27dB Toddler Soundproof Headphones Noise Reduction for Autism Sensory Shooting (Blue & Purple & Green) • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
hand2mind Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles- Primary Emotions, Toddler Sensory Toys, Quiet Fidget Toys, Play Therapy Toys, Calm Down Corner Supplies, Calming Corner, Social Emotional Learning • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
Tactile Alphabet Match-Ups • Lakeshore Learning Materials $16.99 1 $16.99
Tactile Numbers Match-Ups • Lakeshore Learning Materials $16.99 1 $16.99
Learn the Alphabet! Dough Mats • Lakeshore Learning Materials $16.99 1 $16.99
SYNARRY Large Animals Wooden Puzzles for Kids 4 in 1 Gift Box(12.2 * 9.4 in) - FSC Certified, Jigsaw Puzzles for Toddlers 3-5, Puzzles for Kids Ages 4-6, Wood Toys Gifts for 3 4 5 Year Old Boys Girls • Amazon Business $15.58 1 $15.58
Lakeshore Gel-Bead Emotion Friends - Social Emotional Learning, Sensory Toys, Fidget Toys • Lakeshore Learning Materials $14.99 1 $14.99
Learn to Count! Dough Mats • Lakeshore Learning Materials $14.99 1 $14.99
36 Pcs Sensory Stickers with Different Textures – Tactile & Texture Sensory Strips for Teens and Adults – Calm Sticker, Anxiety Relief Items – Classroom Must Haves & Desk Fidget • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
LEOBRO Silicone Mats, 3 PCS 15.7”x 11.7” Silicone Mats for Crafts, Resin Molds, Play Dough Mat for Resin, Clay, Craft Supplies, Orange & Purple & Blue • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
LEOBRO Silicone Mat, 3 PCS Silicone Mats for Crafts, Resin Molds, Play Dough Mat, Clay Mats, for Epoxy Resin, Crafts, Yellow & Hot Pink & Blue, 15.7”x 11.7 • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
LEOBRO Silicone Mat for Resin Molds, 3 PCS Silicone Mats for Epoxy Resin, UV Resin, Play Dough Mat, Clay Mat, Nonstick Silicone Sheets Pads for DIY Arts and Crafts, Pink & Purple & Blue, 15.7”x 11.7” • Amazon Business $6.79 1 $6.79
LEOBRO Silicone Mats, 3 PCS Silicone Mats for Crafts, Resin Molds, Play Dough Mat, Nonstick Silicone Sheet Mat for Epoxy Resin, UV Resin, Clay, Craft Supplies, 15.7”x 11.7” • Amazon Business $6.79 1 $6.79

Materials cost

$868.44

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$13.03

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$911.47

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$160.85

Total project goal

$1,072.32

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

Project Activity
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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. Heelan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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