Past projects 5
Relaxation Oasis: Enhancing Students with Disabilities' Mental Health and Wellbeing
Funded Aug 12, 2024Thanks to your generosity, our special education department now has a dedicated wellness corner equipped with a massage chair, sound machine, and salt lamp that has quickly become a sanctuary those in our department. The moment the chair was set up, you could see the students' and staffs' faces light up with excitement. Many were in awe that we had a comfortable, calming place just for them. These resources have created a space where the special education department can unwind and reset, which has been particularly helpful for those who experience sensory overload or need a break during a challenging day. Special Education is, after all, the most critical area of need right now in education and we are frequently worn out day after day.
One standout moment came during a particularly tough week. As seen in the photo, some of our paraprofessionals took turns in the massage chair, and one student even said it was like "melting away the stress." The sound machine and salt lamp add a soothing atmosphere, helping the special education department feel centered and supported as they relax. It's been heartening to see our department feel comfortable advocating for themselves by asking for time in the wellness corner when they need a moment to decompress.
Looking ahead, we plan to incorporate the wellness corner into our regular routines, especially during high-stress times like testing and group projects, deadlines, and end-of-the-quarter stress. By making wellness a part of our day-to-day, our entire department is learning valuable self-care skills that will benefit them beyond the school environment and sending them the message that they and the work they do are IMPORTANT. Thank you for helping us create a space where our department feels seen, supported, and valued. Your donation has truly transformed our learning environment into a more inclusive, empathetic, and nurturing space.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adamo
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org Teen Mental Health Initiative.Social Emotional Learning for Special Needs Students
Funded Jan 19, 2024Students need Social and Emotional learning skills more than ever before, especially after the state they were left in after the COVID-19 extended lockdown, during some of the most formative years of their social and emotional development!
Being able to bring mindfulness, breathing techniques, and social skills into my classroom in a formal way has enabled me to not only better my curriculum with students, but it gives me the capacity to train other staff in the area of embedding social and emotional learning in their various content areas. That's why I am a certified "Social Emotional Learning Facilitator" and can serve other adults as well as we all try to recover students from the impact of being cooped up in their homes, sometimes in precarious situations, during COVID-19. These kids did not ask to have their social development halted, and they are in great need of trained professionals, like myself now (due to your donation) that know how to truly embed emotionally-intelligent social skills and wellness skills into their daily lessons.
Again, thank you so so so much for your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adamo
Color-Printed Materials for Students With Visual and Other Disabilities
Funded Nov 5, 2023Teaching populations of students that have varying learning needs such as special education students and students with non-typical learning styles requires a great deal of modification and adjustment to materials to best suit their learning styles.
This includes having access to materials that are printed.
With the COVID-19 lockdown, much of our instructional materials went online. The research is showing, however, that hard copies of learning materials in some instances are actually more conducive to student learning.
Students with Color-Blindness, Students who are legally Blind, and students who need extra motivation enjoy having the option to have a pop of color on their reports. Schools have stopped funding printed materials, so your contribution to ensuring that kids can have access to color printed materials truly does assist in making my classroom serve the kids in the most tailored and individualized ways possible. Thank you so much again for your generous donations.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adamo
This classroom project was brought to life by Nevada Department of Education.Social Emotional Learning for Special Needs Students
Funded Nov 30, 2022This training has not yet started until June 28, but Donors Choose needs me to send out an impact letter now.
As I anticipate this Social-Emotional Learning Training, I am in summer school currently teaching social emotional learning skills. I am so excited that I will learn more about teaching this skill to public school special needs high schoolers.
Your donation is enabling me to be the best teacher that I can be by continuing to be a lifelong student.
Thank you so much for your donation to this project and making this become a reality for me.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adamo
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 16 other donors.Students with Disabilities' Challenges With Apple Incompatible Technology
Funded Oct 29, 2021Thank you immensely for donating to my project and getting it fully funded! As you can see, my students are taking full advantage of the apple-compatible technology within my classroom as they acclimate back to in-person learning from the very long at-home mode they've been in.
As educators, we are starting to really see the fallout and disconnect that the pandemic has had on our students' social, emotional, and academic skills. While disconcerting, we are so relieved to have them back in the classroom and are actively trying to bridge any gaps that may have formed during the at-home phase of the pandemic.
Having various modes of technology available in the classroom helps to more smoothly bridge the gap between at-home and in-person learning for my students who have special needs.
Thank you so much for your generosity and support in making a difference for my students!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adamo