This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
I teach life skills to students with intellectual disabilities ages 18-21. My main focus is preparing students to transition from high school into the workforce and to live as independently as possible. These skills include all the things most of us take for granted such as doing laundry and filling out a job application.
Some of my students may never read in the traditional sense, but have learned to read universal signs and symbols to navigate the world.
They go out into the community to learn how to use public transportation, grocery shop, volunteer at a local food bank and work at cooperating businesses. Their academic abilities may not be on par with many other young adults of the same age and it may take them a longer to learn, but they never give up. My students inspire me every day with their willingness to learn and positive attitudes.
My Project
Our washing machine is no longer working, and there are no funds at this time to replace it. Due to COVID, trips have been put on hold, so even the laundromat is not an option. In the meantime, students are not learning the many skills that go into completing laundry, such as sorting, measuring, reading care labels, and simply operating a washing machine.
During our domestic maintenance periods we work on these skills.
Using step by step instructions, we follow recipes to make a meal and complete kitchen clean up which includes washing dish towels, napkins and wash clothes. Some of our school based jobs are washing uniforms for our Special Olympics teams and aprons/towels for our culinary
department. To many people, laundry may seem like a menial task, but my students gain the skills needed to help them live the most independent life possible.
Nearly all 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 Mrs. Barrett and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
