Copyright Live 5 News WCSC
LADSON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Dorchester County elementary school teacher is searching for an array of sensory items to help her students focus better in the classroom. Bianca Whaley is in her second year of teaching at Joseph Pye Elementary. After serving as a resource teacher last year, she now leads a Communication Readiness classroom, working with first through fifth-grade students with autism. “They’re touching my heart already. They melt me daily,” Whaley says. In Whaley’s classroom, every student progresses at their own pace, focusing on individualized education goals. “All of our students are working on individualized education goals and some of them are making great progress,” Whaley says. Whaley is looking to provide her class with personalized sensory tools, including weighted blankets, fidget toys, and chew necklaces. She says these items are crucial in helping to prevent meltdowns, improve focus, and promote independence among her students. “A lot of our students are using devices to communicate or visuals to communicate, and you’ll see some of those as well on our Donors Choose, things that help them identify their emotions,” Whaley says. She believes these materials will be a long-term investment, benefiting many future students with similar needs. “I know it would mean so much to them,” she says. “Just like I said, a lot of these items were chosen with them individually in mind again to attain the goals that they have in place on their plans, and then just to make the classroom environment just more engaging for them on a daily basis.” Click here to become a Live 5 Classroom Champion by donating to help fund this project. Donors Choose collects the money, purchases the items the teacher has requested, and sends them directly to the teacher. That way, you know that your donation is used appropriately, and all donations are tax-deductible. If you are a teacher who would like to be featured on Classroom Champions, please email us at classchamp@live5news.com.
