Teacher professional development. I need to meet rigorous standards through ongoing professional development that enhances my understanding of teaching students who are autistic. <profdevpilot>
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
The students in our class have special zest for learning and give 100% every day. The students are in a self-contained resource room and are identified with autism or multiple disabilities. Despite their abilities, they are a true support system for each other.
I have been a special education teacher for 17 years.
I have taught mainly in public education. I spent most of my career as a second grade inclusion teacher. I co-taught in a classroom of 24 students with typically 8 students being identified as special education. I truly loved working in that setting, but it was not what I got into teaching to do. Finally, last school year, my dream came true when I became a 4th through 6th grade teacher in a classroom for students with multiple disabilities. This position is a blessing and a challenge at the same time. I am faced with teaching 7 students who learn and achieve on varying levels. They keep me on my toes, but I enjoy every single second of it!
My Project
Working with students who are identified as autistic is fairly new to me. The students present me with challenging academic and behavior needs that I have not had specific training on. I am asking for assistance with paying for online professional development training that will lead to an Autism Specialist Certificate. The training will strengthen the areas in teaching that I am weakest in. I will gain a better understanding of autism and be able to apply strategies that will have a lifelong effect on all of my students. The Autism certificate will allow me to be part of an ongoing supportive learning community that will continue to further my skills. The professional development courses will allow me to choose topics that will specifically relate to both the needs of my students and myself.
My students want to grow to be happy, productive, and independent adults.
They need to learn and be able to apply both learning and behavioral strategies that will support them now and in their future. The professional development and Autism certification will provide me training that will have a direct impact on the lives of the current students in my class as well as future students. The training will allow the students to develop critical life changing skills.
The Master Teacher, International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Ed
(I will take online classes that will help me improve my educational and behavioral approaches with my students who are autistic. I will also be able to take a test that will certify me as a Autism Specialist)
$565.00
Visitor cost
$565.00
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$8.48
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$603.48
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$106.50
Total project goal
$709.98
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$709.98
1 Donor
-$49.00
Donations toward project cost
-$41.65
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$7.35
Matching donations from our partners
-$660.98
Match offers toward project cost
-$561.83
Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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 Mrs. Farmer and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.