My students need photo printers and paper to share their special needs view of the world with others--they're tired of outdated materials with no relevance to them and want to create their own!
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Wilson's classroom raised $565
This project is fully funded
My Students
My students are talented, engaging, daring, and courageous high schoolers who, in spite of their varying exceptionalities (Autism, Down Syndrome, cognitive disabilities, physical, occupational, and speech needs), work hard every day to show growth and learn to navigate the world. They are 9th-12th graders who are working on English, math, science, social studies, and functional skills so that they can go forth and spread their wings in the workforce and celebrate their amazing skills and charming souls.
Many of my students are non-verbal or struggle with basic communication, which makes finding authentic materials that represent their skills and needs at their age-level a challenge (most everything I have access to is very old or geared towards the little ones and my high schoolers feel silly/slighted using it or feel like what we are using is not important today.)
Several of my students come from low-income families, some speak multiple languages, and all of them have disabilities. But, they are also children who are growing up quickly and have goals and dreams they plan on fulfilling. They need your support to reach their potential and share their vision of the world with us!
My Project
Each of my students sees the world differently--between their personalities, developmental stages, exceptionalities, and life experiences--and learning and growing through photos is a way for us to deepen our understanding, see other people's views, and create stories and materials that will help us all grow. Photo printers and paper will revolutionize my classroom and take teaching students with special needs from using outdated, boring, impersonal materials (like the ones in my photo) to working on assignments and tasks that are personal, relevant, and easily changed to fit student needs and daily lessons. The majority of my students are non-verbal and have difficulty writing. Does that mean they cannot communicate or that they don't have ideas, thoughts, stories, and memories to share...NO! But, it does mean they need photos to help them share their life.
With a photo printer, my students can create their own books and materials for learning, share their experiences with others, and feel empowered by having a voice in what is happening in their world.
Imagine a student who does not verbalize his/her needs creating a personalized photo book of feelings or goals? A student learning functional job skills following printed photo directions for how to do a work-related task? A teacher photographing and students identifying safe vs. dangerous situations, plants, animals, or insects? Making a photo-quilt of successes on our wall to show that we, too, are excited about learning, even if it is in a different way?
These life-changing lessons can become a reality for my students with your kind donation. Help me move beyond the general photos and irrelevant task cards like the ones in my photo (things currently in my cabinet) and customize learning for my students.
Thank you SO MUCH for your time and consideration!
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. Wilson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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