Hi! My name is ErinKelli Kilbane, and I am an artist and Special Education Teacher in a high poverty school in NYC. Last year I was accepted to the prestigious Teaching Fellows Program, which is an accelerated teaching certification pathway. Along the way I have formed lots of new friends and colleagues across public schools all over NYC, many of them also teaching students Special Needs.

More often than not, public school budgets are minimal and are seriously lacking the supplies teachers need to create an engaging curriculum. In situations like these, acquiring necessary materials for instruction falls on our shoulders. We are a creative bunch of educators dedicated to the success of our students, but with limited time and monetary access, the burden becomes stressful. I am advocating for me and all my pedagogical colleagues when I ask for your help! 

Autism causes students to struggle with engagement, and school is no exception. I am constantly trying to find new and exciting ways to help my students remain engaged in instruction. 

ALL learners must be presented material in a variety of ways and given multiple opportunities to access and master a curriculum. 

Students with Autism often struggle with social interactions, activities of daily living, emotion regulation, fine motor skills, developmental cognitive delays, and sensory deficiencies. 

Play is serious learning for my students and the most effective strategy for engagement.

Structured play encourages using problem solving skills for real world application. The methods I employ give students an active role in the learning process, rather than just being receivers of content.

I have taken this opportunity to collaborate with Hub17 Studio & Gallery to ask the public for donations of toys, supplies, and materials that otherwise will be discarded, to take to our classrooms. Drop off dates start the first week of January, and I will open the event up to all educators to take what they want free of charge on January 7.

            Give us your unwanted toys and supplies! We will take anything you’re willing to give but specifically look for educational items, office supplies, and items to teach activities of daily living. 

Here is a list of ideas.

Toys:

Dolls/ Doll Clothes

Toy Cars

Board Games

Dress up Sets

Building Blocks

Bubbles

Sports Equipment

Bean Bag Chairs/ Blankets

Play Matts

Music Players

Stress Balls 

Dominos

Educational Baby Toys 

Puzzles

Legos

Play-Do & Play-Do Toys

Toy Instruments/ Noise Makers

Picture Books/ Story Books

Supplies:

Copy Paper

Paper Clips/ staples

Construction Paper

Markers/ Crayons

Velcro

Laminating Sheets

Tote Bags

Craft Sets

Glitter

Glue

Scissors

Pencils

Dry Erase Markers

Chart Paper

Old Magazines

Folders/ File folders

Notebooks

Pencil Cases/ Storage Boxes

Drop Off Dates:

12/31 12pm - 5pm

1/2 -1/6 1pm -6pm

 

email: Erinkellikilbane@gmail.com or txt 718-309-2704