When Lisa Bell was in high school, she served as an aide in a special education classroom. Bell formed a connection with the students and the disabled community so deep that it led her to a decade-long career as a special education teacher herself. 
 
"I've seen resilience, grit and determination in action every day for the last nine years and have learned so much in the process," said Bell. "Setting and achieving meaningful goals for each student is at the heart of everything we do, and I feel so lucky to be part of that journey."
 
With nearly 10 years of experience in the classroom, Bell strives to find unique and original ways to enlighten her special education students. Enter Fiesta Sports Foundation Wishes for Teachers, and the $2,500 classroom grant Bell received to convert her classroom into a space built around collaboration and sensory support.
 
Bell's students have a diverse range of needs based on their disabilities, and as such, her wish was to provide flexible seating and sensory materials that promote important sensory movement for all the students she serves.
 
"We have a lot of bouncy balls, swinging seats and bouncy bands – things to support movement while they are still staying in their learning area, which is really important," said Bell. "We need to honor the stimming desire." Stimming is the repetitive performance of certain physical movements that helps with calming and expressing feelings.
 
Flexible seating offers options for students who have a need or desire for sensory output, which allows them to stay in one space for longer than they might with traditional classroom seating. The more time a student spends in one learning space, the better attention they have to activities in the classroom. These flexible options can also reduce anxiety, said Bell.
 
In addition to flexible seating, the sensory items Bell purchased have enriched the emotional and collaborative learning experience for students, along with play items such as stuffed animals, baby dolls, household items, veterinary toys and train sets. Bell had previously tried to purchase these gently-used items through thrift or secondhand stores, which led to shorter shelf life and potential for damage. 
 

 
"To watch them care and attend to these babies or animals was a very cool thing to see. It's a very emotional experience for them and teaches them how to be responsible," said Bell.
 
Bell watched her students nurture and care for their baby dolls and unlock new sides of a child's personality. Bell shared that children with autism can struggle with collaboration, but with new learning tools, these skills can become easier. Her classroom has been proof of that.   
 
As a result of Wishes for Teachers, Bell's students can come together to engineer train sets and take care of their animals or babies. The students have learned from each other, spurred by the new tangible learning materials that support cognitive development, communication skills and improved social skills and interaction.
 
Bell's wish even extended beyond her own classroom, as she was able to equip all three Special Education Advocate Leaders (SEALS) classrooms in her school.
 
"I could purchase classroom materials for each room and invite other teachers to help with purchasing individualized curriculum for the students in their classroom," said Bell. "As a new program to the school, this money made a huge difference in being able to enrich the learning environment beyond basic supplies."
 
Bell's story is one of more than 3,000 that have been made possible by Fiesta Sports Foundation Wishes for Teachers since 2016. Educators across the Valley are invited to submit their wishes, as Bell did, now through September 30.
 
Arizona K-12 public and charter school teachers are encouraged to fill out the 10-minute application by clicking here. Winners will be notified at Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by SRP on Wednesday, November 18.