Past projects 5
Read and Relate!
Funded Aug 19, 2022Because of your donations, I have been able to teach so many more lessons about so many different topics. I have used the books to teach my students about having a growth mindset, how to manage difficult feelings, and being proud of who they are. My students absolutely love the books, and ask to read them when they step into my office. These books have been especially powerful for my students who feel like they are different than their peers. These students have found characters in the stories that they can relate to, and now know that they are not alone. Thank you again for your generous support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Princehorn
Growing with Games
Funded Feb 6, 2022Thank you so much for your generous donations! I have been able to fully equip my office with fun, yet meaningful games. My students love coming to play new games and I have been able to use them in a variety of ways to support with various skills. My students especially love playing Operation to help them practice moving slowly and using impulse control.
My student groups have been so enthusiastic about coming to social work since I have added more games to our sessions. They do not want to leave when the time is up, and when I see them in the halls they ask if they can come to my office to play more games.
Because of this project, I have been able to impact more students. The games are a non-threatening tool that I use to meet to students where they are at. Students that are typically closed off and guarded, allow themselves to be more vulnerable and will open up more while we are playing. I will continue to incorporate games into my sessions to provide an enriching, meaningful social work experience.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Princehorn
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and one other donor.Leaning Into Legos
Funded Jan 28, 2022Thank you so much again for your generous donation to support my grant Leaning into Legos. My students have all been so excited to use the Legos in our sessions. I have been able to use the Legos with individuals and for various group activities. They have been an essential tool for supporting students with processing/naming emotions, dealing with anger/frustration, working together as a team, and working through grief.
One of my favorite activities has been having the students match colors to emotions and then build a structure to represent their typical week. This activity has been so great for engaging students who usually struggle to verbalize what they are feeling.
I am looking forward to the possibilities that these Legos have opened for my sessions with students. Because they are an open ended tool, the possibilities of impact for my students is endless. Thank you again for your generous support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Princehorn
Tackling Trauma
Funded Oct 5, 2016Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend the Illinois Association of School Social Workers annual conference. I was able to attend many sessions and become more trauma informed. I even have been able to use some of the information that I learned in Professional Development presentations for the teachers at my school.
My favorite session taught me more about how traumatic experiences can alter brain development, and how the trauma may manifest in behavior. I was able to learn more specific strategies and interventions for supporting students that have experienced trauma. I have shared these strategies with my staff so they can use them when a student is struggling with self-regulating their moods and behaviors.
Thank you again for this amazing opportunity. I really appreciate your support, and generous donation.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Princehorn
Empowering Emotional Health
Funded Apr 24, 2009Thank you so much for your generous donation. The therapeutic games have been so much fun for the students and me. The kids look forward to coming to the group on days that they know we will be playing a game that you have donated. The games help teach the skills to the children in an engaging way that makes them want to use the strategies. Teachers at this school have found that their students have been using the strategies the games teach about friendship, anger management, and impulse control.
Our school does not have the budget to fund these type of resources. Without your help, my students would not have the opportunity to play these fun and educational therapeutic games. My students and I really appreciate your donation.
”
With gratitude,
Ms. Princehorn