As a teacher of special education students in a low-income, urban school district, my students face a variety of challenges both in and out of the classroom.
Despite the many challenges they face, my students come to school each day ready to take risks and engage with their learning.
Our school is located near the North Side of Chicago, IL. We provide a foundation for progressing to higher levels of achievement by ensuring all students a rich Fine Arts education. We accomplish this goal by providing a challenging educational program: encouraging students to work collaboratively; focusing on individual learning styles; developing life and social skills; and promoting respectful behavior toward peers and adults. FFAC serves a multi-cultural student body. By design, 30% of the students reside within a one-and-a-half-mile radius of the school. The remaining students live throughout Chicago, which brings our school a culturally and socioeconomically diverse population.
My Project
Working in a small classroom, our environment lacks furniture and diverse seating options. This poses challenges for my students with special needs, as they all learn, focus, and behave in different ways. Flexible seating allows students to make their own choices about where they would like to work, taking into account their personal preferences and considering what option will best support their ability to focus and engage with their learning.
Allowing for flexible seating in my classroom will support my students' ability to develop critical, life-long skills, such as problem solving, flexibility, creativity, collaboration, autonomy, and self-reflection.
I selected specific products that will support my students' different learning needs. The storage bench and saucer chair will give my students different options for selecting a spot to read. The portable lap desks and writing tables will give my students the chance to complete assignments and activities on the carpet while sitting or in any chair or bench. The stack stools will give students a different seating option while working at the kidney table, or they can be easily carried to other areas of the classroom for alternative seating options! Each product will allow my students to complete their work in a way that is comfortable for them.
Each and every child who enters my classroom is different and learns in different ways. I want to create a learning environment that is supportive of their individual needs, comfortable, and engaging.
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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. Rekuc and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
