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Episode #63 The 3 Things I Refuse to Teach Without:
As a special educator, what are 3 things you absolutely would refuse to do your job without?
Like dig your heels in, clench your jaw, die on this hill kinda things?
In this episode of the Sped Prep Academy Podcast, I share about my 3 non-negotiables.
When I figured out that I could also be a teacher to the paraprofessionals...that I could teach them to do the things I needed them to do...that’s when it all changed for me.
I was reading a blog post the other day about the things special education teachers MUST Have in their classroom and not one of the 3 things on my list even made their top 10...so it got me thinking...am I in the minority and if so WTH??
How is it possible that any special educator would want to try to survive in this field without them?? I, my friend, have been in this profession WAY too long to sacrifice my sanity by not having these 3 things...
1) Administrative support
This is something I have never NOT had but I have heard enough horror stories from tons of teachers to know that I will never teach without it. But I feel getting this support is two-fold. I know that my behavior and my actions have definitely played a part in helping my admin see that I can be trusted to get the job done right. And so when I do what's expected of me, I receive their support in return. Of course there's more to it, but you'll have to listen to the show to find out.
2) A system for collecting progress monitoring data
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come up with a great goal and then spent hours searching for the perfect progress monitoring tool...looking for the perfect probe to use that would quickly and accurately give me the data I needed. For years I would just piece things together and then forget what I used or misplace the copy. So now I have an actual system that allows me to keep all my progress monitoring probes in one easy place.
I did this job for 20 very very long years without a para handbook of any kind and I just want to yell at myself! It's hard being a young teacher trying to manage staff, and I struggled. And I'm embarrassed that I let it go on for so long. I don’t want that for you. I want you to know how important this tool is to a veteran teacher and I want you to know that it will change your career! This thing literally changed the game for me and helped me go from a meek "boss" to a strong, confident leader.
Listen in to today's show to hear all about how these three things can make your life so much easier!
Mentioned in the show:
Mentioned in the Show...
What's Your Special Educator Superpower Quiz
The Paraprofessional Handbook
The Survey Level Assessment
Kindergarten Digital Survey Level Assessment
1st Grade Digital Survey Level Assessment
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