I focus everyday on making my students productive, life-long members of their community. My classroom consists of high school students (Grades 9-12) with moderate to severe disabilities including, but not limited to, Autism, Mental Retardation, and blindness. To many these may seem like insurmountable odds yet to me it simply means that I have to work harder to teach them to hold down a job and contribute to their community while learning to create social situations in which they would thrive.
The obstacle that we face is learning these skills in an age-appropriate, functional setting. Right now my students use plastic play money to count, make change, and purchase items. In addition, we have a "Supermarket" in the corner of our room with empty food boxes and a child's play cash register for them to learn to shop and sell. This project, however, can teach all of the above things in a realistic, age-appropriate setting.
I propose that we use these items to sell drinks to the high school teachers during their conference times. The students can then work on navigating our school, organizing a delivery schedule, taking orders, taking money, making change, using appropriate language and manners, and most importantly gain pride in their ability to be a part of their school. We will continue to sell, purchase more drinks, and sell even more until February. Then, with the profits that they make, they can plan, create a list, shop for, and decorate our cafeteria to hold a Valentine's Dance that they can call their own.
To bring this dream to reality, we need a cash box, a planning calendar, and some drinks. My students and I will make the rest of the dream come true.
Daily, I look at the reality of these kids' futures. My students won't be able to attend college but they will one day be in your community and my community as citizens. They will be cashiers, busboys, factory workers, and anything else that I am able to teach them to be. I want to take this time to teach them, support them, push them and motivate them to look forward to their future and all that it can hold.
I look into the eyes of these young adults every morning and see the potential that they have. Won't you help me to show them all that I know they are capable of being?
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 Ms. Weiss and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.