With six years of specialized experience and the unique perspective of a parent navigating the world of disabilities, Shanda Miller, an Oak Street Elementary Special Education Teacher, brings a rare blend of professional expertise and personal heart to Goddard Public Schools. Through an Innovative Teacher Grant, the Goddard Education Foundation is partnering with Ms. Miller to transform the school’s approach to inclusion.
This grant not only provides new and improved sensory tools for Oak Street's Sensory Room but a sensory support system that includes sensory pouches that every teacher can access right in their classrooms. “This approach enhances inclusivity by making sensory regulation tools accessible in both dedicated spaces and everyday classrooms,” Ms. Miller explains.
By empowering teachers with immediate-response tools, Ms. Miller’s mission to help support all students’ sensory needs is just the beginning. She hopes this project helps improve students’ self-regulation, attention, and engagement and will in turn reduce behavioral disruptions while increasing on-task learning. “Empowering teachers with portable tools fosters timely intervention, leading to a more inclusive learning environment that benefits academic performance and social-emotional growth for all students,” shares Ms. Miller.
Through this grant, Ms. Miller is ensuring that at Oak Street, inclusion isn’t just a word; it’s a tangible portable reality for every learner. “This is just the beginning,” Ms. Miller promises.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the GEF for their generous funding and to Ms. Miller for her dedication to creating a truly inclusive environment. This grant is a game-changer for our students, and we can’t wait to see the success it brings to every classroom.