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Pamela Batlemento with Neptune Elementary kindergarten - first grade trauma center staff. PHOTO/AARON SANDERS, ADDITION FINANCIAL
The Addition Financial Foundation kicked off February by giving back to four lucky local teachers with a dream classroom makeover. Pamela Batlemento, a school psychologist working at Neptune Elementary in Osceola County, was one of the four who’s story deeply touched the hearts of the judges.
“A remodeled trauma center at Neptune Elementary School is not just about the physical space, but also about fostering a culture of community and support,” Batlemento stated.
The Foundations’ sixth annual “Renovate to Educate” is a program dedicated to thanking teachers for their hard work by selecting a few each year to receive their dream classroom makeover by providing revisions up to $2,500 per classroom, according to www. foundation. additionfi. com. The mission is to foster empowerment in the community through financial education and charitable giving.
“We really wanted to focus on sensory and trauma responses. Our children tend to have ‘flight-or-fight’ responses, and we wanted to change those responses.” Batlemento said. Their team will add in sensory elements like stress balls to help alleviate the tension from the children among other things.
This contest, which is open to all public-school teachers from Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Lake counties, opens each year from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31. Applicants must include a brief summary statement on why their classroom deserves this and what changes they would like to see as well as an overall theme. In past years, teachers from Poinciana High and Neptune Middle have earned the award.
Batlemento, with her essay, immediately captivated the hearts of the judges with her ideas who were excited to begin working.
“By collaborating with the community, we strengthen the network of care around our children, reinforcing their sense of belonging and support,” Batlemento said.
For the kindergarten and first grade trauma center, this year will mark a significant milestone for the only classroom of its kind in the county, as it celebrate their second year. This classroom was built as a safe and supportive environment for students who’ve been through serious events in their life that could impact their academic process.
The team, which consists of a peer professional, two support staffers, a social services worker, and many others, was excited when they received the news, Batlemento said, noting the financial support given by the Foundation was needed to put additional trauma support in place for the students.
Batlemento, in the essay, stated the missions are calming and sensory driven with interactive spaces such as sensory corners, cozy reading nooks, soothing colors, to create a tailored learning environment that meets the needs of children with complex trauma histories at Neptune Elementary.
“Let us not only celebrate the achievements of our students but also recognize the unique challenges they have faced. A remodeled learning space is an investment in their healing and growth, providing a foundation for hope and resilience,” she stated in her essay.
The next step for the Foundation will be to collaborate with an intern from Seminole State College in the next few weeks and work alongside the classroom team to plan and gather the materials. After classroom measurements taken on Wednesday—Valentines’ Day!—they will begin renovations over the course of summer break, so that when school returns in August, the teachers and students will be able to enjoy their new classrooms.
