Teaching at my school for the past eight years has been the most rewarding experience of my life. Our students come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, with over 40 different countries represented in our school.
My classroom serves nine students, ages 2-5, who receive special education services for autism and related disabilities.
These young children are creative, silly, and playful, just like preschoolers everywhere. They feel pride when they are able to do things on their own; they get the same "I"m a big kid!" smile as every other preschool student.
My Project
Building independence is a core foundation for all preschoolers, but it can be a challenge for many of my students. They work hard every day to learn how to remove their coats, hang up their backpacks, and place their items in their bin. They are learning to manage their personal belongings, to take ownership, and to identify their personal space. This even helps build the skills for following directions and name recognition.
We need your help to purchase the furniture that we need to build skills, promote independence, and encourage our preschoolers' sense of pride in a job well done.
The requested cubbies will do all that -- and more. They promote the health of the classroom as we are able to keep each child's personal items in their own space. No more mixing of coats or hats in baskets or bins. These cubbies promote safety as they are just out of the height for climbing. They are also sturdy and made for the everyday wear and tear of a preschool classroom in a way that the cubbies from your local department store just aren't.
Best of all, these cubbies provide the physical and visual structure that my students need in order to be fully independent. They are similar to the structures they will use all throughout their school career, which means one more way they are kindergarten ready. It seems like a small thing -- coat cubbies. It's no small thing in preschool. It is one of the stepping stones to independence throughout your school career.
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. Vanderland and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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