Miami R-1 is a small, rural school district with a total enrollment of less than 200 students. We are a PK-12 school, all in one building. The 2013-2014 school year will be my first year teaching at Miami, and I am excited to be the K-12th grade special education teacher. The special education room, which serves all students in the district, is sparce. If you can name it, chances are good we need it. To begin with, we have a large number of students with diagnoses of dyslexia, and little to none of the specialized resources recommended for teaching this particular population of children. I am in need of a multi-sensory reading and writing program to meet the needs of my students. These programs are quite pricey, but are evidence-based. Examples include Orton-Gillingham and Lindamood Bell. Following along the line of multi-sensory instruction, my classroom is also greatly in need of any and all manipulative, hands-on learning tools. These include everything from base ten blocks, student clocks, compasses, math wrap-ups, flashcards, and geoboards, to sandpaper letters, and letter and number stamps, just to name a few. Additionally, my students are in need of sensory and other learning aids to increase their ability to attend as well as their basic academic skills, including slant boards, colored overlays for reading, metronomes, weighted blankets, fluorescent light covers, bean bags, a large classroom rug (approximately 8 ft. by 12 ft.) to cover a hard cement floor, and specialized writing paper to help with letter formation and placement, to name more than a few. In a nutshell, I would be over-the-moon happy to receive whatever assistance is available. We simply have a great need to create a warm and nurturing classroom where students of all ages will feel safe, supported, and capable of making the progress I already know they have the potential to make. Thanks in advance!