I teach K-5th grade students with a variety of intellectual, behavioral, social skill, and sensory impairments. My students work harder than most to learn skills that aid them in communication, building friendships, knowing how to play at school, and becoming life-long citizens. Learning looks different for every student. We work with each student individually to help them be productive members of our classroom community, our school-wide community, and community as a whole.
Despite many challenges throughout each and every day, my students always come back to our classroom community and know they are safe and loved.
As my students make gains in my classroom, they are encouraged and challenged to spend more time with their typically developing peers. My classroom is about building skills to become life-long problem solvers in whatever environment they are in. We focus on communication skills, expected vs. unexpected behaviors, relationship/friendship skills, and life skills such as cooking, participating in social functions/activities, shopping, eating out, and being independent.
My Project
My students require personalized and durable learning materials that support their individual needs. Many of these materials include personalized social stories, visual schedules, hands-on communication boards, and individualized positive behavior support systems. To create long lasting products for each student for their own individual needs, our classroom needs essential tools that are not accessible at our school. These tools include a laminator that is capable of running through thicker laminating sheets to create books, picture symbols, and independent tasks that are not easily damaged or destroyed. A coil binding machine allows us to create personalized materials that do not easily fall apart or out (unlike the comb binding machines).
Not only are these supplies vital to our students' learning, but these are tools that will support life-long goals and independence.
We strive to teach our students 21st century habits such as effective communication, relationship building skills, teamwork, and problem solving. The learning devices created by these essential tools will not only support my students in the classroom, but within their communities as well. Isn't that the goal for each and every person on this planet, to become an essential and productive member of their community? Please help support these special learners in this endeavor!
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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 Mrs. Bialas and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
