CALDWELL, Idaho — Editor's note: This content is sponsored by CapEd Credit Union.
Spring has officially sprung, and over in Canyon County, a special education teacher is helping students nurture their green thumb – all while learning science.
"I'd say my teaching style is accommodating, we have so many different levels in this classroom," Laynee Miller said. "So, having to accommodate what they need to help them be successful is the most important part for me."
Miller is a teacher at Caldwell High School. She is planting the love of science with her special education students in a unique way.
"I will do the initial presentation of what the assignment looks like with their hands," Miller said. "Then they all get the chance to individually do it."
It was an idea her students helped her come up with.
"Before, it was all paperwork, videos, different stuff like that," Miller said. "The kids would get bored very quickly, very easily."
In turn, since getting the science equipment, it's paid off for the Caldwell teacher and her students.
"It's not as much redirection," Miller said. "The kids are able to pay attention more, they're focused, they're able to visually see what needs to be done, instead of just sitting there listening to it. So, it's made such a huge difference."
Miller was able to make the difference with the help of a grant from CapEd Credit Union.
"The kids face like lit up, they were so super excited, because they knew what this meant," Miller said. "They knew this meant that they were going to be able to get the equipment that they wanted."
It's these lessons that Miller hopes students take with them outside the classroom.
"I love being a part of watching them succeed and see themselves shine from what they don't believe to begin with," Miler said.
Miller said she's only had the equipment since October, so she hopes it becomes more successful as time goes by.
Educators, for information on submitting an application for a classroom grant through the Idaho CapEd Foundation, visit www.capedfoundation.org. If you would like to nominate an Innovative Educator, send us an email to innovativeeducator@ktvb.com.
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