One Class at a Time winner teaches life skills
QUINCY, Ill. (KHQA) — Ms. Royal Bugh teaches cross categorical special education third through fifth grade students at Iles Elementary School in Quincy.
Since her students have a wide variety of needs, her curriculum is not like other standard classrooms.
"Each month we have a cooking unit in math," Bugh said. "It's a real-life skill that kids will need long term. A lot of teachers I know can’t afford to make that happen."
But Ms. Bugh's newly awarded One Class At A Time $1000 grant will help make that happen in her classroom. She says students can use the real-life skills for the rest of their lives.
"Usually it’s predetermined by the curriculum already, and it’s usually something out of their comfort zone. Kids who are used to pre-packaged food, it’s like oh, I don’t want to try that. It’s exposing them to new things," Bugh said.
Ms. Bugh received the grant with the help of her colleague at Iles Elementary -- Stem coach Dr. Heather Schrage. Schrage received the grant a few years back for her own classroom.
"It helps teachers because it helps get their students what they need so they are not spending more out of their own pockets. Sometimes there are holes in the curriculum, and so we have to try and get them what they need," Schrage said,
Sometimes, teachers will buy classroom supplies with their own money, but the $1000 One Class At A Time grant will help fund those supplies instead.
Ms. Bugh says many of the classroom activities in her classroom help expose students to areas they might not normally get to experience.
"It takes a village to raise kids in our community," Bugh said "I am really appreciative of this grant and all the grants we get for children and children with special needs."
