Returning to the General Education Classroom

Funded Oct 21, 2024

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your incredible support of "My Project." This initiative is dedicated to helping my students with emotional-behavioral disabilities (EBD) not just survive in school, but truly thrive. Your generosity has been instrumental in making this possible.

When I began working with the EBD class in February 2023, these students were largely isolated from their peers, which significantly hindered their social and emotional development. "My Project" is a direct response to this challenge, focusing on providing students with essential self-regulation tools to successfully reintegrate into general education classrooms.

Thanks to your support, we have acquired valuable resources: SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) books, manipulatives, graphic organizers, a science microscope, weighted vests and blankets, and other calming materials. These resources have made a significant difference in our classroom and in student learning.

The SEL books are used to explicitly teach crucial social-emotional skills. We focus on identifying emotions, understanding their triggers, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. For example, we use books that depict characters experiencing frustration or anxiety and then discuss how those characters manage their feelings. This provides a safe space for students to explore their own emotions and learn new strategies.

Several students have made significant progress with these new resources. One student, who previously struggled with outbursts and difficulty focusing, has found the weighted vest incredibly helpful. He uses it during transitions and challenging activities, which has significantly reduced his anxiety and improved his ability to stay on task. Another student, who was initially hesitant to participate in group activities, has become more engaged during read-alouds and discussions, even volunteering to share his own experiences related to the stories. The manipulatives have been particularly beneficial for my kinesthetic learners, providing a focused outlet for their energy and promoting calmness and improved concentration. The microscope has also been a valuable tool, providing engaging learning opportunities.

Perhaps the most significant change is the increase in time my students are spending in general education settings. Before this project, nearly all of my students had no time integrated with their general education peers. Now, they are all getting opportunities to participate, learn, and socialize in those settings. One student, in particular, has made incredible progress, transitioning from a fully self-contained classroom to spending nearly half of his school day in general education. This is a monumental shift!

Because of your generosity, I have been able to create a more structured and supportive classroom. I can focus on teaching proactive strategies and provide targeted support for individual student needs. These resources have allowed me to better meet my students' needs and create a safe and nurturing environment where they can truly learn and grow.

Thank you for making a real, tangible difference in their lives.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Juma