I teach art at a small elementary school in New York for students with severe disabilities. The students in my school are between four and eleven years old. There are thirteen 6:1:1 classes (6 students, one teacher, and one paraprofessional) and one 12:1:1 class (12 students, one teacher, and one paraprofessional). Most of the students in my school are amazing and unique artists who happen to have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
My students really love creating art, exploring new art-making materials, and showing their work off when it is finished.
They thrive in an environment that is hands-on and interactive.
My Project
I've been working hard to get everything that we need to have a photography program at my elementary school. Utilizing Donors Choose, a mayoral grant for the arts, and repurposing things around the school; we now have digital cameras, ink, photo paper, roll based photo paper and an Epson photo printer (hopefully very soon through other Donors Choose project, that is so close to being fully funded).
This magnificent photo printer can print up to 17 inches wide and with this roll adapter, we will be able to print on roll based media paper.
My students need a roll adapter to allow us to print as big as we want while being cost conscious. Printing on roll paper will allow us to do test strips of an image and make adjustments before doing the final print. It will also allow us to print panoramic images or murals if my students want to.
These photographic tools will help my students continue to grow as young artists. It will give them a realistic experience of what it is like to be a photographer and help them to find their artistic voice.
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. Cosimano and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.