Long Beach Polytechnic High School will soon have a mural dedicated to Mother Earth and the students with special abilities on campus. This thanks to the idea of a teacher who during the covid pandemic-15 has been thinking about how to keep her students academically interested.
Indira Jiménez, a teacher of students with special needs, said that when distance learning started it was difficult for everyone, but primarily for his students since they were unable to communicate clearly with their counselors about their plans and concerns.
His students—grades 9 through 04—have intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, speech/language impairments, orthopedic, health, hearing problems and autism, among others.
Jiménez thought that for the return to classes in person she could install an outdoor space free behind the library, a part of the school that nobody occupies. There the students could go out to take a break when necessary.
“So I told my principal and sent a message to other teachers to tell them that if they have materials, chairs, yoga balls and others to put it there…, the director bought them a pavilion that says ‘All means all’ (all means all) as a way to include them,” said Jiménez.
However, the area still lacked color and life. Jiménez remembers that on one occasion she woke up at 3 in the morning with the idea of adding a mural that shared inclusion. This would not only represent mother earth and the environment, but also students with special needs.
“I met the artist Enrique Brito, a cosmic painter and told him that I was planning to make a mural for my students”, said Jiménez.
Between the two began to appear the mural which has images of a tree in the center, the sun and the moon on the sides and the earth at the foot of the tree. On one side are included the signs and logos of people with disabilities such as wheelchairs, sign language, hearing difficulties, puzzle pieces symbols of autism, among others.
The world at the foot of the tree shows the American continent in honor of Latinos , since the school has a little more than 52% of students from this minority group.
Appreciating the inclusion
When the parents found out about the project, they felt happy and grateful that their children were being included. The school has murals of athletes and artists, but the students do not reflect on them.
Érica Nolasco, mother of Jonathan Martínez, a student at 14 years with autism, said he was diagnosed around the age of 3.
“He is very quiet, he doesn’t like to talk and very little tries to explain his day to me”, said Nolasco
However , has noticed that she enjoys her classes with Ms. Jiménez and tries to be punctual at all times.
Roció Salcedo, mother of Giselle Beltrán, a young woman from 17 years in the last grade, stated that her daughter has moderate autism and has noticed that once she entered high school she began to socialize a little more.
“She used to be very shy, but later she started to get bracelets and is more sociable”, said Salcedo.
Both young people enjoy painting and drawing. Jiménez explained that Giselle is a fan of the drawings from the movie Trolls and Jonathan from Despicable Me.
“Jonathan has always been drawing and has his wall full of all the characters he likes,” he said. Nolasco, who was grateful that his son was taken into account to paint a part of the mural.
Gathering economic funds
Jiménez said that although the plan is ready to start, they still cannot do so due to lack of funds to pay for it.
The mural titled “Tree of Life” will measure 14 feet tall by 52 feet long and will be painted on the outside of the library wall.
The area will also have a sensory path so that students can feel it with their feet in the form of reflexology . All this will be with the aim of providing them with a safe space, dedicated to their mental health and education.
So far they have raised just over $4,000 from supporters on social networks and acquaintances, as well as with sales made by the teacher and her students. The mural has a cost of almost $7,000.
“I know that I cannot count on the help of the parents of my students because they already have many expenses, that is why we ask for the support of the community”, said Jiménez.
Brito is expected to start painting the work in March and if all goes well, the mural will be unveiled during the celebration of the Earth Day on Friday 15 in April.
To learn more about this project or support financially visit: https://sites.google.com/view/arboldelavidamural-org/about?authuser=1