Be The Exception In Special Education

Lesson plans…love them or hate them they are a part of a teacher's life and there is no way around it. While different schools require different types of plans, you need something to know what you are working on in the coming days. I have written every style of lesson plans and finally feel like I have a good handle on what works to keep me organized and keep my class flowing like it should.   In...

Can you believe that it is almost July? For me that means that my summer break is halfway over and I know that many of you are in the same space as me. I always take June to refill my cup and focus on my family, but when July rolls around I begin to put my teacher hat back on and think about the beginning of the school year. But knowing where to start on the checklist can sometimes feel overwhelmi...

Thinking about all the things you need to start a new school year can be overwhelming. You know there are supplies and materials you need to create a classroom that is safe and interactive and organized and… Then once you've made your list of everything you need - the list that just keeps getting longer - you realize creating that classroom of your dreams is going to be expensive.     But it doesn...

Are you a special educator who is struggling to find professional development that makes sense? A PD that actually helps you in your day to day in the classroom? Well, then you are in luck! This summer I am teaming up with Jen from Teach, Love, Autism, Heather from Full Sped Ahead and Ashley from Spedtacular Days to give you bite-sized PD that you can apply right away in your classroom.    In this...

As special education teachers, we understand the profound impact sensory processing differences can have on our students' engagement and learning. It's essential for us to understand and address these differences effectively. So, what exactly are sensory processing differences? Sensory processing differences refer to the way individuals perceive and respond to sensory information from their enviro...

High school comes with its own set of challenges for everyone. This is especially true when working with students with moderate to severe disabilities. There are so many life skills that need to be taught and mastered that it can feel overwhelming for the teacher. We sometimes wish that there was a guidebook to get us headed in the right direction.   In this week's episode, I am chatting with Shar...

As special education teachers, we know how important it is to keep our students engaged and learning, especially as we head into the summer months. Using some fun summer activities can be a great way to promote engagement and learning, while also giving students a break from traditional work. These activities can also help promote social and emotional skills, such as teamwork and self-confidence. ...

When you became a teacher, you probably intended to stay in the field until retirement. However, the last few years have been hard and many of us are feeling more and more burned out. So…what do you do? Are there other options for teachers who choose to leave the education world?    In this week's episode, I'm chatting with Kassaundra Foster from Foster Content Solutions. She was a special educati...

Students with disabilities often face additional challenges when it comes to social emotional development. This can stem from difficulties with communication, sensory processing and self-regulation. But how can we help as a special education teacher?   In this week's episode I'm sharing many strategies and approaches that special education teachers can use to support the social and emotional devel...

The end of the year is upon us..{insert a little happy dance here}...and it is always such a chaotic time. There are so many moving pieces that we need to control and some days we are barely surviving, even when they are fun days. But, with a little organization and a little prep work, you can prepare your classroom for the end of the year and be ready to start next year strong.   In this episode,...

Transitions are a critical part of life. We all have them and we all get through, but they can be especially challenging for students with diverse needs. The transition from school to post-secondary education or the workforce can be particularly daunting, as it requires students to navigate new environments, expectations and social norms.   In this week's episode, I am sharing strategies and techn...

Parent communication is such a vital part of our jobs as special educators. We know this and want to do it, but man, it can be such a challenge to find the time to do it the right way. Our planning periods are often filled with meetings and we have families to get home to in the afternoons. So how do we communicate and build rapport with our student's parents in the tight timeline we are forced in...

As special education teachers, one of the most important goals we have is to help our students with communication impairments develop their language skills and effectively express themselves. Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, and for students with communication impairments, it can be a significant barrier to social and academic success.   In this week's episode, we'll exp...

Can we just be honest for a minute and admit that writing IEPs is hard? It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned veteran or just getting started in the education world. A lot is riding on those pieces of paper for our students and we have to get it right. And of course we want what is best for our kiddos! But how can you feel confident in building out IEPs?   In this week's episode I am chatting wi...

As special education teachers, we often encounter students with challenging behaviors that can make it difficult for them to succeed in the classroom. These behaviors can range from minor disruptions to severe aggression, and can be caused by a variety of factors such as trauma, mental health issues, or a lack of appropriate social skills.   One of the most effective ways to address challenging be...

Classroom climates are based on the main moods, attitudes and standards within the room. It is all about how you and your students feel when you are in there working together and learning. Obviously we all want this environment to be a positive one. But, are there steps that we can take to help that happen?    In this week's episode I am chatting with Kelsey from Included in SPED about building a...

As a special education teacher, one of your most important responsibilities is to differentiate instruction and adapt curriculum to meet the unique needs of your students with disabilities. Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach that involves adjusting instruction to meet the diverse needs of students while adapting curriculum is the process of modifying or altering curriculum materials...

Teaching a student to read, especially when they have a learning disability, can be incredibly challenging. However, we know that being able to read is one of the most important skills our students need. It is literally a game changer for every other subject. So, as special educators, we want to be the best teachers of reading that we can be. But where do we start? What steps should we take to get...

Neurodiversity is the word used to explain the unique and different ways that someone's brain functions. If someone is neurodivergent their brain will work differently than the average person. This can manifest in many ways like ADHD, Dyslexia and even Tourette's Syndrome. As teachers, we need to not only understand neurodiversity, but also be able to aid our students in reaching success.   In thi...

As special educators, we have to write IEPs, there is no way around it. And while it can be challenging, this is also one of the most important things that we do for our students. This "pile" of paperwork leads the entire process for each student. So how do we make it manageable?    In this week's episode, I am sharing 6 tips to help you feel in control and ready to tackle this part of your job. I...

Co-teaching in a special education setting is a collaborative approach to teaching where a general education teacher and a special education teacher work together to plan and instruct a class that includes students with disabilities. This typically takes place in the general education classroom with regular peers. It can be very successful for students with disabilities, but it can also be very ch...

When you work in a special education classroom you know that you are going to be dealing with varying types of disabilities. There is definitely not a cookie cutter scenario when it comes to our students. We help our students with physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral disabilities. As the teacher, we need to be prepared to meet the unique needs of each of our students.    So, where do you...

As a special educator, we know that there are all kinds of hurdles and roadblocks that we have to overcome on a daily basis. Things like schedule changes, student meltdowns and unexpected meetings are always lurking close by.   In this week's episode I am chatting with Rachelle Sikes from Sikes Spedtacular Students about ways that you can prepare for the unexpected. These are easy to do things tha...

Assistive technology is any device or software that is used to enhance the abilities of individuals with disabilities. It can range from simple tools like pencil grips and adapted scissors, to more complex devices like electronic communication devices or speech-to-text software. Knowing what tools are available and what works best for your students is a huge plus. Sometimes it takes some trial and...

Joint attention is a word that you may or may not have heard before. It is defined as when two people are focusing on the same item intentionally. It can aid in communication and understanding. It can also go a long way in building relationships with your students. So, how do we use it in the special education classroom and why does it matter to us?    In this week's episode I am chatting with Ros...