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7 Questions to Help Special Educators Reflect
In today's episode, I want to guide you through self-reflection with seven crucial questions. As Maya Angelou wisely said, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." This quote encapsulates my approach to working with teachers—continuous growth through self-awareness. READ MORE
Sped Teacher Small Talk Segment w/Co-Host Paul Hubbard
Curriculum Conundrum
What do you use for curriculum in your special education program?
Today, for the last episode of the Sped Teacher Small Talk for the year, Paul and I dive into the complex topic of curriculum for special education teachers.... READ MORE
Save Time Writing IEPs with Help from Artificial Intelligence
Sped Teacher Small Talk Segment w/Co-Host Paul Hubbard
Laughter Does a Body Good
Paul and I are taking a break from the heavy topics that often plague a special education department.
Today we chose to tell a few stories from our careers and have a few laughs.
Just a warning...READ MORE
Sped Teacher Small Talk Segment w/Co-Host Paul Hubbard
The Importance of Self Care
In today's episode, we discuss a crucial topic that is important for all special education teachers—self-care.
In a profession that demands a high level of emotional and physical commitment, taking time for yourself isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. READ MORE
Sped Teacher Small Talk Segment w/Co-Host Paul Hubbard
Working with General Education Teachers
In this segment of the Sped Teacher Small Talk, we explore the often-underestimated importance of fostering strong relationships between special education and general education teachers. READ MORE
Myths & Truths: A Deep Dive into Dyslexia and the Science of Reading
5 Strategies to Support Your Paraprofessionals
So it's time we provide them with the SUPPORT they deserve. READ MORE
Back-to-School Productivity Hacks
The beginning of a school year can be both exciting and challenging….there’s quite a bit to do to prepare in order to get your department and classroom up and running. On this episode, Ayo Jones from the Noodle Nook shares productivity tips to help you start the school year strong. READ MORE
Sped Teacher Small Talk Segment w/Co-Host Paul Hubbard
The Role of Impact Statements in IEPs
It was my turn to break the rules this week and forego the spinner in order to choose the topic Paul and I discussed.
What did I choose? Impact Statements
Get to Know and Understand Your Paraprofessionals Better with an Interest Survey
I implemented this strategy about 5 years ago and it definitely helped the individuals in my department become a team unit…where everyone felt valued, everyone felt heard and everyone felt appreciated for their strengths and not judged for their weaknesses.
READ MORE
Strategies to Create Inclusive, Play-Based Learning Experiences
In this episode of the Sped Prep Academy Podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Melysa Mei, a passionate preschool teacher from NYC.
Melysa has been teaching for 17 years and is a devoted play advocate. To help spread the play-based love Melysa started her own online business - Pre-K Spot helping other early educators in child-led play-based strategies. READ MORE
Learn About the 5:1 Ratio Principle for Positive Feedback to Parents
Piggybacking on the conversation with Paul from episode 131, I want to share about the 5:1 Ratio Principle of Positive Feedback to parents.
Although this principle will apply to any relationship you have (paras, colleagues, administration, home life), today's episode focuses on how to make it work with the parents of your students. READ MORE
Sped Teacher Small Talk Segment w/Co-Host Paul Hubbard
The Importance of Parent Relationships
Talk about a tear jerker!
Today Paul, my monthly co-host, and I discuss the importance of developing strong, lasting relationships with the parents of the students we work with.
Paul shares an emotional story about a the bond he has with a previous student and her mom that conveys the amount of love special education teachers have for their students. READ MORE
How to Use Centers in a High School Setting
Thank you to the email subscriber who asked for support with centers at the High School level.
While the use of centers can be applicable and beneficial at any grade level, implementing centers in a high school setting is out of my area of expertise. So I asked Fiona Gonzalez back to the show to discuss this topic. READ MORE
How to Collect & Organize IEP Data
Joining us on Episode 129 is Michelle Vazquez, a highly experienced resource specialist and special education teacher based in Southern California. Michelle has been dedicated to the education sector for nearly 14 years, and her passion for supporting special education teachers is evident through her own podcast, 'Stepping Into Special Education.' When she's not spending time in the classroom, Michelle enjoys quality time with her husband and two young boys, often exploring the magical world of Disneyland. READ MORE
Sped Teacher Small Talk Segment w/Co-Host Paul Hubbard
Writing IEP Goals
Welcome to the 6th installment of the Sped Teacher Small Talk series with co-host Paul Hubbard, where we dive into a randomly generated topic each month.
This month we are discussing the crux of our jobs as special educators...Writing IEP goals. READ MORE
The Power of a Creative Outlet for Special Educators
Find the Robin to your Batman
In this solo episode, I delve into the dynamic world of special education and the integral role that creativity plays within it. We've all felt a bit like Batman, the steadfast, highly skilled superhero always ready to face the complex challenges of the classroom, but we can't forget about our own personal Robin- that refreshing perspective, solace, and sometimes much-needed comic relief. READ MORE
How Scaffolding Supports All Learners
Teaching without scaffolding is like climbing a ladder with missing steps. And for most of our students, the gap between the bottom rung and the top rung is both overwhelming and scary.
This week, Lily Cornielle-Cordero from Teach Empowered joins us to unravel the mystery of scaffolding instruction. Listen in to learn how to make learning accessible for all.
Accommodating Students in an Inclusion Setting
A Gen Ed Teacher Perspective with Johanna Kuiper
It's not often that we get to hear directly from general education teachers about what they want from us, how we can support them and get ideas about how to work collaboratively together...but today's guest shares all that and MORE!
READ MORE
Sped Teacher Small Talk: Transitioning Students to a New Teacher
Welcome to the 5th installment of the Sped Teacher Small Talk series with co-host Paul Hubbard, where we dive into a randomly generated topic each month.
But because Paul wanted to be a rebel this month, he asked to choose the topic instead of spinning the spinner. READ MORE
Best Practices for Affirming Neurodiversity
In today's episode, we have the pleasure of talking with Laine, a Special Educator and Transition Specialist with over 15 years of experience. Laine shares her insights on the importance of affirming neurodiversity in the classroom, as well as discussing the evolution of teaching methods and the use of respectful terminology. READ MORE
How to Start and Manage a Student Store
It's no secret that our students need extra exposure and instruction to the real-world skills they will face in their daily lives.
That's why it's so important to provide them with hands-on experiences, even from young ages, such as running a student store in their school.
Sped Teacher Small Talk: Preventing Problem Behaviors
This episode emphasizes the need for effective strategies to prevent problem behaviors in a classroom setting, and it sheds light on the challenges that educators face in providing the best support for their students. READ MORE...
Executive Functioning Support from an Educational Therapist
Executive function is the ability to plan, manage, organize, and “do” your life. In other words, it is the ability to prioritize and execute. Executive functioning is not only linked to school but it can be linked to the concept of adulting, which children tend to learn about and work on as they go through school.
Why Sharing IEP Goals Benefits Everyone with Rachelle Sikes
Sharing common IEP goals between special education teachers and related service providers can be highly beneficial for the success of your students. By collaborating on goals, both parties can ensure that the student is receiving comprehensive support across different settings and addressing their individual needs. READ MORE
Language Based Strategies from an SLP with Hallie Sherman
In this episode, we welcome Hallie Sherman, a Speech Language Pathologist from Speech Time Fun who joins us to discuss tips on supporting students with language and effective ways for teachers to work with SLPs in their buildings.
Present Levels of Performance on Sped Teacher Small Talk
In this 3rd installment of the Sped Teacher Small Talk, we dive into a topic that's super important for all special education teachers: writing present levels of academic and functional performance (PLAAFPs).
How to Hold Successful Transition Meeting
Transition planning is a process to help students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) decide what they want to do after high school and then helps them figure out how to get there. The purpose is to help teens prepare to be independent young adults. READ MORE
Talking Transitions on Sped Teacher Small Talk
There are many transitions that take place within special education...transitioning from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school as well as transitioning out of high school into the real world. Join my co-host, Paul Hubbard, and I for the second segment of the Sped Teacher Small Talk where we chat about all things transitions. READ MORE
Behavior in the Classroom
So I've got Carly Hughes here with us today from Behind Behaviors, which is her educational consulting company created for families and caregivers of students with unique learning needs in the areas of emotional and behavioral functioning and specialized instruction. READ MORE
The Importance of Progress Monitoring with Robin Focht
Today we have Robin from Expressively Sped to chat about progress monitoring. I know in my district this is often one of the areas where teachers have a lot of trouble as far as knowing the importance of it as well as how to actually write an accurate description of a student’s progress ... READ MORE
Let's start 2023 off with something NEW!
In order to mix things up just a little bit to provide you with something a little fun…a little lighthearted but still support you by giving you knowledge you can use within your classrooms and programs as special educators, the first episode of each month will be co-hosted by Paul Hubbard. READ MORE