Grants That Grow Possibilities: Celebrating Teachers and Students in Special Education

By Andrea Smith, PVF’s Program and Communications Associate 

The Special Education Resource Grants Program continues to make a meaningful difference in classrooms by giving Special Education teachers and therapists the tools they need to help students thrive. Through these grants, educators have been able to fund sensory tools that help students feel calm and ready to learn, resources that build self-help and independent living skills, and assessment materials that allow teachers to better understand each child’s unique needs and create more effective, individualized education plans.

Below are a couple excerpts from reports shared by teachers who received a Special Education Resource Grant last year, highlighting the real-world impact of this support.

“Dear Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, 

I am a first–year Transitional Kindergarten (TK)– Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) teacher at Oakley Elementary, a Tier 1 elementary school serving a diverse population of learners.

I teach a class of 10 incredible four–year–old students with a variety of disabilities, each with their own unique strengths and needs. Several of my students have high sensory needs that require specialized tools to help them regulate emotions, maintain focus, and engage meaningfully in learning activities. Unfortunately, my classroom is not currently equipped with the sensory resources necessary to fully support these needs. Sensory tools and equipment–such as fidget tools, sensory sand, tactile panels, weighted items, and breathing board, that would allow my students to thrive in their own unique ways, would not only support their sensory regulation but also enhance their social–emotional development, communication skills, and overall academic engagement. 

Your support will have a lasting impact, helping me create a safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment where my students can learn and grow to their fullest potential. With the right resources, I believe each child in my classroom can make meaningful progress both academically and socially. “

Transitional Specialized Academic Instruction Kindergarten Teacher at Oakley Elementary

“Dear Donors,

On behalf of our Pre-K special education team at RSPS, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude for the generous grant that has supported our Kimochi’s curriculum. Your contribution has made a meaningful and immediate impact in our classrooms.

The Kimochi’s characters have truly brought life into our learning environment. Having a full set of characters for each class has been a tremendous gift—not only does it support our daily instruction, but it also relieves teachers from the challenge of sharing and tracking materials between rooms. With our own sets, we can seamlessly incorporate social–emotional learning into our routines each day.

The Kimochi’s curriculum allows us to teach our students that all feelings are okay, while also helping them understand that behaviors are choices. The characters make these lessons concrete and engaging. Because they are hands-on and expressive, we can act out scenarios, model problem-solving, and provide “re-do” moments in a way that is accessible and meaningful for young learners. Just like people, each character has its own emotions and challenges, and this helps our students learn what to do with big feelings, how to express them, and how to behave appropriately.

Your continued support allows us to give our students the tools they need to understand themselves and interact positively with others. We are deeply appreciative of your generosity and your belief in the importance of early social–emotional learning.

Thank you for investing in our students, our classrooms, and our community. Your kindness is truly making a difference.”

With gratitude,
The Pre-K Team at Robert R. Shearer Preschool

Feedback like this continues to inspire us. While small in size, these grants create a lasting impact for countless students who are building important skills using these new resources. For more information, including eligibility an application requirements, visit our Special Education Teacher Resource Grant page.