MISSOULA — This week's One Class at a Time winner is Hellgate High School’s Britt Hanford.
She is one of a group of teachers who have organized a "Student Services Center," a place for students who are having a tough day to regroup.
"They can sit. They have access to mental help professionals in our building,” Hanford explained. “And so, we're trying to set up the space so it's not only inviting but therapeutic."
Hanford, who teaches eleventh and twelve grade English, won't be using the grant for her own classes.
She believes that with the proper materials, this Care Center will be able to help students return to class and be ready to start learning again with a "sensory experience."
"I would love to stock the shelves with more art supplies so that students can come in and sit and just draw if that's something that helps them work through some feelings. I'd love to be able to buy some sort of sound system so that we could have music or some sort of music or soothing sounds in the space. And I'm hoping I can find some sort of water feature like a fish tank, something like that." - Hellgate High School teacher Britt Hanford