I teach the most amazing children with special needs. My class is a self-contained program with varying disabilities. Some children have down syndrome, others are on the spectrum, still others deal with developmental delays that are caused by diagnosed conditions with difficult names to pronounce. These things, however, are not what define this group of students.
Working with these children is a privilege and less me teaching them, but more, them teaching me about the strength to continue living your best life, even when faced with the adversity that often accompanies living with a disability.
It is the ability to see every day as a new adventure, to accept each other and others with no reservations, and to take joy in the relationships they develop with students and staff within the classroom and school that makes my students so special.
This year, we are fulltime online. This can be a very challenging way to teach children, especially those with special needs. Having met with each family, we have all committed to making this the very best experience that we can through a combination of online programming and at home activities. I am confident this will be a great year!
My Project
I have created an Interactive Binder for each student to use at home. This allows for IEP goals to be practiced and includes other interactive activities related to the topic of the week. I mail out new pages each week and just need to keep the basic supplies in stock to continue this progressive project. As an example, this week we studied bats. I sent home an art activity, a science activity, and an interactive page to label the parts of a bat. Learning becomes more meaningful with tangible activities.
More than half of 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 Ms. Dugan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.