I am a special needs teachers in a low income, inner-city school district. My classroom consists of 12 amazing middle school-aged students, all diagnosed with a moderate disability, such as Autism, Intellectual disabilities, and Neurological disabilities. Their eagerness, and enthusiasm towards learning is not only contagious but inspiring as well, as despite the difficulties they endure on a daily basis, they still come to school, every day, ready and excited to learn. My students inspire and motivate me, not only to be a better teacher, but to become a better person as well.
My Project
Our classroom consists of 12 amazing middle school-aged students, all diagnosed with a moderate disability, such as Autism, Intellectual disabilities, and Neurological disabilities. Once a week, during lunch, we invite our typically developing peers to join us in the classroom to help strengthen our social skills and abilities. Together, we have lunch, and then play a game with each other, or occasionally do a craft. I find that by doing this, both groups of students benefit greatly. My students benefit because they are able to work on strengthening their social skills in a relaxed, comfortable, familiar setting, with peers that they may not typically be able to interact with. The typically developing students benefit because they are able to see my students with special needs as peers, promoting tolerance and acceptance.
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
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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 Mrs. Kristiansen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
