Ädelbrook is one of 15 finalists in the nation to be in the running to win $100,000 from Farmers Insurance Dream Big Teacher Challenge. Ädelbrook is the only Connecticut school to be a finalist.

But to win, we need to get the most votes. Beginning on September 29, 2017, you can vote for Ädelbrook daily to help us get the most votes and get the much needed funds to help our children succeed. Look for Jessica Embacher of Ädelbrook, and remember to vote every day from September 29 through October 30!

 

Ädelbrook’s Dream Big project is to create Innovation Spaces fueled by a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) curriculum that supports students’ development of basic job skills through vocational and career readiness programs throughout our five special education schools. We serve students ages 3–21 who have Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Our project addresses the root causes of unemployment in young people with Autism or other neurodevelopmental disabilities such as a lack of job skills, opportunities to learn and practice job skills, assistance in developing life skills that support good work habits and appropriate educational experiences that build marketable skills. The community impact of our Innovation Spaces project will be the increase in the number of young people with disabilities who are able to join the work force and contribute to their communities. The global impact will be a decrease in the number of young people with disabilities whose potential is lost to their community and the world.

Innovation Spaces will expand our existing STEM curriculum to include the arts, so we can ignite educational excitement in our young people while fostering hands-on vocational and career programming. Students will be learning basic, intermediate, and advanced skills through the use of technology. Teaching and learning will take place both on an individual and team-based approach that allows for problem solving and project-based outcomes. The grant funds will help us purchase technology, materials and supporting software to ensure the success of the STEAM curriculum.

As skills develop, students will become a part of an industry where they can imagine, create and innovate as productive members of their community. With every disability there is an ability, help us grow our students’ abilities.