This spotlight is of Jasmine Mei, a Special Education Teacher. Jasmine is applying for The 2024 Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference started by me, Kerry Magro. I was nonverbal till 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4, and you can read more about my organization here.
As an educator with a decade of experience, Jasmine Mei is deeply committed to creating an inclusive, supportive environment for all students. Specializing in working with students who have Autism, ADHD, and ADD, she has dedicated her career to adapting her teaching methods to the unique needs of her students. Currently a Special Education teacher at PS 164 Ceasar Rodney in Brooklyn, New York, Jasmine is now applying for the Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant, awarded by KFM Making a Difference, to enhance the learning environment for her fourth-grade class.
Jasmine’s philosophy of “Teaching the Way Our Students Learn” is rooted in the belief that every student can succeed, though not all students learn in the same way. She emphasizes the importance of personalizing instruction so that students feel that their learning is meaningful and achievable. In her classroom, learning is never one-size-fits-all. Instead, Jasmine tailors her approach to the diverse learning styles of her students, giving them multiple ways to engage with the material. For instance, when teaching the concept of identifying an author’s purpose in a written passage, she provides students with a variety of reading materials, from fiction to nonfiction, digital to physical books. She also offers students creative options for demonstrating their understanding, allowing them to summarize a story through words, drawings, or even interpretive dance.
Jasmine’s classroom is a vibrant, dynamic space designed to meet the diverse needs of her students. As a Horizon teacher, all of her students have been diagnosed with Autism, and Jasmine is committed to ensuring that her classroom is a place where they feel comfortable and supported. However, as a Title I school, resources are often limited, and many of the materials in her classroom are worn or outdated. That’s why Jasmine is seeking the Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher Grant to purchase new books that will engage her students, as well as hands-on learning tools like Legos. Additionally, she envisions a classroom with flexible seating options—such as biking desks, adjustable standing desks, and comfy cushions—that would allow students to learn in a way that feels comfortable and accommodating to them.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Jasmine’s work is seeing her students succeed in unexpected and meaningful ways. One particular success story stands out from this year. She has a student who is incredibly bright but struggles with rigid routines and personal space. At the start of the year, this student was reluctant to complete his work and was disengaged from the classroom activities. However, Jasmine soon discovered that he was more motivated when the lesson connected to his personal interests—things like math, coding, and alphabet books. She seized the opportunity to link the study of the Lenape People to his passions.
For an assignment on the Lenape, Jasmine asked him to calculate the size of a longhouse, determine how many people could fit inside, and explore how much hunting and gathering would be required to survive the winter. This project immediately captured his interest. Not only did he dive deep into the assignment, but he also created a Google Slide presentation to share his findings, even going the extra mile to create an “ABCs of the Lenape People.” His work was so impressive that it inspired his classmates to explore creative ways to present their own research on the Lenape. Jasmine used this opportunity to teach the class about the challenges of living in small, shared spaces, and how understanding these challenges can help build healthy relationships with those we share space with.
For Jasmine, this success story is a powerful reminder of the importance of meeting students where they are and finding ways to make learning feel relevant to their lives. It’s about more than just teaching facts; it’s about helping students feel empowered and successful in their own way.
The Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant would enable Jasmine to continue to build a classroom that is not only engaging but also adaptable to the diverse needs of her students. With the support of this grant, she hopes to provide her students with the tools and resources they need to thrive—whether through hands-on activities, flexible seating, or personalized learning opportunities.
Jasmine’s journey as an educator is a testament to the power of teaching with heart, dedication, and creativity. Through her commitment to “Teaching the Way Our Students Learn,” she is not just helping students achieve academic success—she is helping them build confidence, independence, and a love for learning that will stay with them long after they leave her classroom.
Have Dr. Kerry Magro give a student assembly, staff development for your educators or a parent talk for your parents by contacting him here for more details.
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My name is Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum. I started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue post-secondary education. Help support me so I can continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
