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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Barredo from Sumter, SC is requesting materials related to food, clothing & hygiene through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Barredo is requesting

Shining Minds Life Lab: Building Skills for a Brighter Future!

Help me give my students a toaster oven, air fryer, laminator, and laminating sheets so they can practice real-life skills like cooking and following visual instructions—building confidence, independence, and readiness for life beyond the classroom.

  • $785 goal

This project expired on September 18, 2025.

This project expired on September 18, 2025.

My Project

In our self-contained special education classroom, students are on a journey toward independence and real-world readiness. The “Shining Minds Life Lab” offers hands-on learning in essential life skills like cooking, hygiene, job readiness, and money management.

Students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities learn best through multi-sensory, real-world practice.

This project will create a classroom environment that mirrors everyday situations so students can develop the skills they’ll use at home, in the community, and eventually in the workplace.

Each activity in the Life Lab is designed to:

Reinforce functional academic skills

Build independent living habits

Support transition goals for life beyond school

Materials Needed

These materials will be used across four key life skills domains: Home Living, Vocational, Community, and Self-Care.

Home Living Skills

Toaster oven/air fryer – to practice basic meal prep and kitchen safety

Cooking utensils & supplies – spatulas, mixing bowls, measuring cups, etc.

Visual recipe books (pictorial and simple text) – for step-by-step cooking practice

Vocational Skills

Task boxes / vocational kits – sorting, folding, assembling, packaging tasks

Mini laminator and laminating sheets – to create durable job cards and checklists

Clipboards, aprons, and name badges – to simulate workplace environments

Self-Care & Hygiene

Toiletry kits (toothbrush, comb, deodorant, etc.) – to practice daily hygiene routines

Visual hygiene and grooming charts – step-by-step guides for brushing teeth, washing hands, etc.

Laundry sorting baskets & clothes – to practice sorting, folding, and laundry routines

Functional Academics

Play money and real-world math games – for budgeting, counting change, and shopping skills

Calculator and large-print check register – for managing simple budgets

Organizational Tools

Binders or "Journey Journals" – to track student progress with visuals and goal-setting

Storage bins or labeled drawers – to organize task stations and reduce sensory clutter

Ms. Barredo Sumter High School Grades 9-12

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Sumter, SC View local requests

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

Never Before Funded 8 students impacted

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Barredo is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Ninja - Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 with 6.5 QT Capacity - Gray • Best Buy Education $179.99 1 $179.99
Amazon Basics 2-Tier Metal Kitchen/Utility Cart with Shelf, White • Amazon Business $40.71 2 $81.42
Casio DM-1200BM,Business Desktop Calculator, Extra Large Display • Amazon Business $15.93 5 $79.65
Scotch Brand Scotch TL906 Thermal Laminator, Never Jam Technology Automatically Prevents Misfed Items, 2 Roller System , 9 inch (Pack of 2) • Amazon Business $46.27 1 $46.27
Proctor Silex 4 Slice Toaster with Extra Wide Slots for Bagels, Cool-Touch Walls, Shade Selector, Toast Boost, Auto Shut-off and Cancel Button, White (24214PS) • Amazon Business $41.33 1 $41.33
Bulk Colorful Paper Folders with Pockets Heavy Duty Wholesale Pocket Folders for 3 Ring Binder (50 Folders in 6 Colors) • Amazon Business $18.80 2 $37.60
CHAREADA Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids, 18pcs Stainless Steel Nesting Colorful Mixing Bowls Set Non-slip Silicone Bottom, Size 7, 5.5, 4, 3.5, 2.5, 2, 1.5 qt, Fit for Mixing & Serving • Amazon Business $29.99 1 $29.99
Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouch, 9 x 11-1/2 Inches, 3 mil Thick, Pack of 100 - Teacher-Parent Resources - Adult • School Specialty $26.99 1 $26.99
Hi loyaya 12 Pack Blue Aprons for Women Adult Ladies with Pockets, Waterproof Grilling Painting Baking BBQ Cooking Kitchen Bib Aprons Bulk (12, Blue) • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
Handstand Kitchen Child-Safe Cooking Knifes - Set of 3 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $22.46 1 $22.46
Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Plastic Chopping Board Set of 4 with Non-Slip Feet and Deep Drip Juice Groove, Easy Grip Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Green • Amazon Business $13.29 1 $13.29

Materials cost

$583.98

Vendor shipping charges

 $2.70

Sales tax

 $41.17

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.76

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$666.61

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$117.64

Total project goal

$784.25

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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. Barredo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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