STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management

Hey Special Education Teacher, Have you ever had a student you thought may need a change of placement? Are you curious about the signs that indicate a student may need a COP?  There are several things that need to be taken into account when considering a change in placement for a student. In my first change of placement meeting, I realized that I did not have nearly enough data to get the student...

Hey Special Ed Teacher, Are you unsure if you want to teach in a mild to moderate or extensive needs classroom? Are you not really sure what the differences are between the two? I’ve been there and I’m breaking it all down for you today so you can make the best decision possible for you! There are some distinct differences between teaching mild to moderate support needs vs extensive support needs....

Hey Special Education Teacher, Have you thought about the possibility of not returning to your current role next school year? Has the thought of leaving special education altogether crossed your mind? Before you make any decisions, I encourage you to tune into this episode! Choosing whether to stay or leave is not easy and many factors play into the decision. Research shows that 25% of special edu...

Hey Sped Teacher, Are you a special ed teacher looking to choose the right specialty area for your passion? Is deciding which credential is the best fit feeling overwhelming? Do you know the opportunities and responsibilities that come with each credential? Join me in this episode as I break down the 5 different types of specialty areas in special education. As special educators, it can be confusi...

Hey Special Ed Teacher, Are you supporting parents of special needs students in the best way possible? Have you wondered if there are things you can do to build stronger relationships with your students’ parents?  In this episode, we’re diving into 5 things to avoid when building strong relationships with our students’ parents. As busy special education teachers, it can be so easy to forget how im...

Hey Special Ed Teacher, IEP season is here! How do you like to prepare for IEP meetings? What do you do to ensure you have all the documents needed before it’s meeting time? Are you looking for a better system so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute to get everything ready?  Today, I’m breaking down the 5 steps I take to ensure I am ready to step into my IEP meetings prepared and confident. Ha...

Hey Sped Teacher, How do you use token boards in the special ed classroom? How do you use token boards effectively? How can it be used to promote positive behavior? In today’s episode, I’ll share 7 steps to replace behaviors you want to change with your students with special needs! Sometimes, our whole classroom behavior system does not work for every student. This is when extra behavioral support...

Hey Special Education Teacher, How do you work with parents of your students with special needs? What do you say when you first introduce yourself? How do you keep your special needs parents' relationship going strong?   In today’s episode, I’ll share how I collaborate and keep a good relationship with my special needs parents! That first impression is crucial in building a relationship with them....

Hey Special Ed Teacher, How do you structure your special education classroom? How do you manage your special ed class? What do you do to keep it organized? In today’s episode, I’ll share my top, tried, and true organization tips that I use in my own sped classroom! After going to two different districts, two different positions, three different schools, and moving into seven different classrooms...

Hey Sped Teacher, How was your 2023 year? Did you learn any new lessons personally and/or professionally? Any upcoming goals you’d like to accomplish for the next 2024 year? In today’s episode, I’ll be getting personal and sharing the hard lessons I learned in 2023 and some new goals I foresee this upcoming year! Reflecting on a not-easy year can be difficult, but it’s freeing to be open and hones...

Hey Special Ed Teacher, It’s almost time for winter break! Do you have a plan for how you are spending your vacation? Will it be all about rest time? Or will you be catching up on work? Today, I share the pros and cons of working during your break and what I do during my vacation time! When our winter break finally arrives, all we want to do is….NOTHING!! But before you know it, it’s the day befor...

Hey Sped Teacher, Is your classroom environment feeling overwhelming? Want to feel more organized after winter break? Don’t know what areas to start clearing? Today, I share 7 areas to begin decluttering your special education classroom! We are so busy teaching and writing IEPs that we sometimes let our classrooms go. Let’s start the new year with a clear classroom and a refreshed mind! Take Care,...

Hey Special Education Teacher, Struggling with lesson planning? How do you begin teaching your students with special needs? What does your aide do during instruction? Today, I share 5 must-haves when planning lessons for your special ed classroom! As special education teachers, unfortunately, we do not get the training and support we need right away. This episode gives you a head start to structur...

Hey Special Ed Teacher, Today’s episode is a re-release of episode 20! Are you up late, worried? Thinking if you’re doing a good job? Are you wondering what qualities make a good special ed teacher? You just heard that ONE negative comment or critique about your teaching. Now you’re up late at night, thinking if you have what it takes to be a sped teacher. Today I share 4 questions to ask yourself...

Hey Sped Teacher, How do you deal with a power struggle with your students with special needs? Can you prevent these power struggles from happening in the first place? How do we change the dynamics and not engage in negative conflict with our students? In today’s episode, I will share the ONE thing we can do to stop these power struggles from beginning in the first place! Also, I'll explain what s...

Hey Special Education Teacher, Are you new to co-teaching? Do you know how it works in special ed? What materials do you need to get started to be a co-teacher?  In today’s episode, I will share the most significant essentials I need as a sped co-teacher. After pushing into the general education classroom, I learned what is needed to have my students with disabilities be successful. These necessit...

Hey Special Ed Teacher, It's the end of the first quarter! That means progress reports are due! So, I am re-releasing episode 21, an oldie but goodie! IEP progress reports are due! Are you wondering how often should IEP progress be reported? What should a student progress report include? Wondering how you prepare a student progress report? Today I share how I prepare for when IEP goal progress rep...

Hey Sped Teacher, Struggling with interpreting IEP goals? Need a better explanation of how to teach goals according to your student's individualized education plans? After reviewing your special ed classroom's goals, do you have more questions than answers? I'll answer your most asked IEP goal questions in today's episode. If you're like me, you didn't receive much training in creating IEP goals....

Hey Special Ed Teacher, Do you need more teaching strategies to use as a special education teacher? What are ways that a teacher can help their students with special needs? Do you need to add more to your list of intervention strategies for sped students? In today’s episode, I’ll share effective teaching strategies that I’ve used in my special ed classroom to meet the needs of our mild to moderate...

Hey Special Education Teacher, If you’re a Resource Specialist Teacher, do you struggle with your schedule? Can’t find the right time to service your students with disabilities? Never have enough time to do your academic testing?  In today’s episode, I’ll share the MUST-HAVE components you need to create your RSP teacher schedule! Organizing your schedule so it complies with your special ed studen...

Hey Sped Teacher, What do you do when you’ve inherited a poorly written IEP? Do you know who to contact about fixing this document for your new student with disabilities? What steps do you take to get their individualized education plan adjusted? In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to fix your student with special needs’ education plan! It is frustrating when you find those errors in IEPs that yo...

Hey Special Education Teacher, What do you do when you receive a new student’s IEP? How do you know it’s well-written? After reviewing the document, do you know what clues inform you that the IEP has any red flags?  In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing the 5 signs that your new student’s IEP needs your attention NOW! When that new student walks into your classroom, you’ll automatically receive thei...

Hey Sped Teacher, How do you work with service providers for your students with disabilities? How often do you communicate with them? Do you collaborate with other special ed related services before that IEP (individualized education plan) meeting?  In today’s episode, you’ll be learning seven different ways with how to work and collaborate with your special education service providers! There are...

Hey Special Ed Teacher, Why are building relationships with students with special needs important? What is the first step to building relationships? How can Special Education teachers improve their connection with students? In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing 4 reasons why connecting with your special needs students is NECESSARY! As teachers, we want to jump into academics right away. But we often...

Hey Special Education Teacher, Wondering how to train paraprofessionals in your special ed classroom? How do you manage special education assistants in your class? What do you teach classroom assistants to support students with special needs? In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing the 4 areas you NEED to train your sped instructional assistants or classroom support staff in! At the beginning of the s...