Special education teacher Alanna O’Donnell didn’t have any farming experience when she came up with the idea that would transform her school community \u2014 chickens.<\/p>\n
“Lots of this, we had to learn on the fly,” she said.<\/p>\n
Her students, who range in age from 14 to 22, have autism and a range of intellectual disabilities. Every day, they’re cleaning, feeding, watering and composting at the chicken coop behind P.S. 177Q. They’ve built confidence in their tasks over time.<\/p>\n
“It’s easy now, not hard anymore,” Ayhan Khan said.<\/p>\n
Growing a sense of camaraderie<\/p>\n
The chickens roam beside a playground in a thriving farm, where the group harvests vegetables for sale.<\/p>\n
“We grew about 1,500 pounds of food this year,” O’Donnell said.<\/p>\n
She says the farm experience has brought a sense of trust and mutual support.<\/p>\n
“There’s just the feeling of camaraderie,” she said.<\/p>\n
Now, students pose for photos with arms around one another.<\/p>\n
“We didn’t get that before,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Just give my kids a seat at the table”<\/p>\n
It’s important to her that students build skills for the workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for 16- to 19-year-olds with disabilities was nearly 24% \u2014 double the rate for those without disabilities.<\/p>\n
“Just give my kids a seat at the table. They’ll do the work,” she said. “And that’s all I want to do is give them a shot. They deserve it. They’re good kids.”<\/p>\n
O’Donnell has now been recognized with the $25,000 FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence. She’s helping other schools build programs like hers because, she says, all students are worth it.<\/p>\n
“They are strong, intelligent. They learn differently. That’s all it is,” she said. “They want to be included. They need to be included.”<\/p>\n