First Financial Foundation–Recognizes Alpha School of Ocean County
Alpha School's Sara Stockton's Class Awarded Erma Dorrer Grant
The First Financial Foundation has offered current Monmouth and Ocean County educators seven classroom grants to use at their schools for the 2019-2020 school year. One of the recipients is Alpha School special education teacher, Sara Stockton, who was awarded a $500 Erma Dorrer classroom grant.
Ms. Stockton submitted a grant application and video to purchase a sensory tool kit including a break box, and seven-foot teepee for her classroom of six male students ages 10 to 13.
The purpose of the grant is to help the boys advocate for themselves by asking for a break when they need one. The sensory tool kit gives them different sensory activities that allow the students to manipulate their environments. It provides a reminder to them that they have a comfortable, safe place where they can take a mental break.
Q: Can you explain what a break box is for our readers?
Sara Stockton: It's basically a sensory bin filled with items like weighted blankets, massage rollers, fidget spinners, noise cancelling headphones, stress balls, etc. that the students can use to help them be calm during breaks.
Q: What was your video that you submitted for the grant application? Was is showing students in general or something in particular?
Sara Stockton: It shows my classroom during a regular day, just the boys working.
Q: Are the break box, teepee, and sensory tool kit all separate items?
Sara Stockton: The break box is the same thing, essentially, as the sensory tool kit. The teepee is an actual teepee for the boys to go into, so that's a separate item.
Q: Can you give us a short overview of your experience and education background leading up to working at Alpha School?
Sara Stockton: I went to school for Psychology, Art, and Special Education. I graduated from Douglass College at Rutgers University with a B.A. in Psychology. I went back for my Art Educator certificate from Georgian Court, and my Special Education certificate from New Jersey City University. I was a paraprofessional for five years and an educator for five years at a different school. I left teaching to be at home more while my daughters were younger. I then came to Alpha School in November of 2016.
Q: Finally, is there anything you would like our readers to take away as far as working with Alpha and your students?
Sara Stockton: I love my classroom; I absolutely adore my boys, and I feel so blessed to spend every day with the incredible people I work with. My classroom is full of challenges, fun, accomplishments, and positive attitudes.
Alpha School an private special education school in New Jersey
Our Mission at The Alpha School is to help all of our special needs students with the learning, social, language, and behavioral support they deserve. Our highly skilled staff are committed daily to helping each student to becoming the best they can while providing a safe and nurturing educational environment.
We would be more than happy to discuss your child’s specific needs and challenges, so please call us at 732.370.1150, or request a tour of Alpha School of Jackson, NJ located just minutes off of Route 9 and Route 195 in Ocean County.
— John Gonzalez, Principal-Alpha School, Jackson, NJ
About RKS Associates
At all the RKS Schools we pride ourselves in discovery the hidden treasures of all of our students. Our academic and support services are appropriately customized for a student unique and diverse needs so that they can reach their full potential.
Alpha School is part of special needs network of schools located in Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean County New Jersey. Since 1980 the RKS Associates schools have been leaders in helping special needs helping students with various disabilities including autism, Down's syndrome, communication, learning, social, behavioral and emotional disabilities. The range of services RKS schools provide is academic instruction and speech, occupational and physical therapies. In addition to Life Skills, Technology, and a full complement of Support Services.
