Our school is in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, but its population is not native to that area. We are a District 75 school in NYC, meaning it teaches solely students with special education needs. Specifically, our students have emotional and behavioral challenges. This also means that we are not a "community school". Students from our school commute from their local areas by school bus or public transportation. They are taken from areas of NYC where they feel comfortable and safe to an unfamiliar and, seemingly, unfriendly place.
Being a student with emotional and/or behavioral needs can make school, something so stress inducing, even more triggering.
My students need an environment that helps them remain calm while also helping them reach their academic potential. My students thrive in a welcoming classroom that has engaging activities planned for every moment of the day. One way to optimize my students' learning is through organization. My students often have a tough time focusing on the lesson being taught and the normal requirements of the day. I believe that if I can minimize their worries and help them strategize and streamline their responsibilities, I can help them focus on academics and learning.
My Project
As I'm sure most teachers know, students often have a hard time being prepared for class. It can sometimes take the whole beginning chunk out of a lesson just to get everyone prepared and organized. My students are like lots of students in this way, but they often struggle with these issues even more frequently. My students are in a special education program to help with emotional and behavioral disorders. Sometimes, knowing where their pencil is can not only take up time, but it can be emotionally frustrating as well. By creating structures and systems in my classroom that help my kids stay organized, I can help them feel less stressed and keep their minds available for more important information.
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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. Burrows and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
