This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
I've been teaching Special Education for 10 years now, but my focus over the last 5 years have been students with ranges of intellectual disabilities. I've been graced with seeing so many of them surcome to academic challenges that most people would not imagine could be their potential. The assumption of what a student can accomplish because of a disability is incredibly dangerous; whether these are personal biases that we have unconsciously internalized and then repeat in a classroom or the seemingly "safe" measurements of a universal screener that determines their disabilities.
My belief to assume that students with intellectual disabilities can rise to what you put in front of them has not ceased to amaze me with their accomplishments over the years.
I think about a student who was new to our school and was placed in my class without much warning. He did not communicate verbally and had an orthopedic impairment. His evaluation named that his developmental skills were that of an 18-month old. But we creatively problem-solved how he could access grade-level work, and sure enough, he was doing the same work as his 4th-grade peers. There is magic in each student to do the impossible!
My Project
When you're getting ready to study, learn, or just dive into a good book, where is the most ideal place you see yourself? You probably don't see yourself sitting in a rigid chair, at a small desk... For so many students with disabilities, they are often trying to overcome a learning obstacle. This might be focus, a physical discomfort, or just the strain of having to be challenged by rigorous content.
Now imagine if just a few of those obstacles could be removed with a simple solution: choosing a place to sit that makes your comfortable and able to spend your energy focusing on your academic learning rather than how your physical body feels in the moment.
Flexible seating can remove the physical barrier to learning by just being more comfortable and grounded during the day. My class this year has a wide range of learners who have individualized needs as to how they learn best. I've already collected a some solutions in my previous years teaching, but by funding this project, more options can quickly become available.
Lucky Bums Moon Camp Kids Indoor Outdoor Comfort Lightweight Durable Chair with Carrying Case, Blue, Small
• Amazon Business
$34.99
1
$34.99
Urban Shop Faux Fur Saucer Chair with Metal Frame, One Size, Black
• Amazon Business
$34.97
1
$34.97
Lemontec String Lights,25FT Vintage Backyard Patio Lights with 25 Clear Globe Bulbs-UL listed for Indoor/Outdoor Use, Globe Wedding Light, Deckyard Tents Market Cafe Porch Party (2 Pack 50 Bulbs 50FT)
• Amazon Business
$28.99
1
$28.99
Phantoscope 4 Packs Throw Pillow Inserts Hypoallergenic Square Form Sham Stuffer 18 x 18 inches
• Amazon Business
$24.99
1
$24.99
Tone Fitness Black X Thick High Density Exercise/Yoga Mat, with Carrying Strap
• Amazon Business
$9.99
2
$19.98
Greendale Home Fashions 17 in. Outdoor Accent Pillow (set of 2), Summer
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
Greendale Home Fashions 17 in. Outdoor Accent Pillow (set of 2), Indigo
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
Heyhousenny Cartoon Landscape Mountains Decorative Watercolour Throw Pillow Covers Tree Cushion Covers Square Outdoor Pillowcase for Sofa Set of 4 (Forest,Sun,Moon)
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
Materials cost
$194.89
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$17.05
3rd party payment processing fee
$2.92
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$244.86
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$43.21
Total project goal
$288.07
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$288.07
1 Donor
-$244.86
Donations toward project cost
-$244.86
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Putnam and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.