I teach students who fall far below grade level in math and parents tell me all the time how impossible Common Core Math concepts are. They don’t even get it, so how can they help their children? But math itself doesn’t change–the way we look at it does. If you want to help your children […]
Teresa
Teresa Cooper is a 30-something divorced mom and teacher from North Carolina. She has a Masters of Science in Education for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University and a BA in Psychology with a minor in Creative from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Having struggled with anxiety and depression most of her life and later having birthed a child with autism, she is passionate about spreading awareness and acceptance of mental illness and autism. After 13 years in education, she has a wealth of knowledge to share on education and bonding with children.
Posted inSpecial Education
Our Dirty Secret: Teachers Have Feelings
I’m going to say something controversial. If you have children reading over your shoulder or a perhaps even a sensitive grandma looking on, I’m giving you fair warning. The content of this post might just rock someone’s world, because it’s akin to saying Santa Claus doesn’t exist. Did you clear the room yet? Okay. So, now […]
Posted inInstructional Strategies, Special Education
20+ Ways to Check for Understanding in a Special Education Classroom
You’re a special education teacher, so you know that not all students are created equal. In fact, you know that even within a disability category, you cannot count on students behaving in a “typical” way. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “If you’ve met one child with autism, you’ve met one child with autism.” You […]
Posted inFeatured, Special Education
The Importance of Progress Monitoring in Special Education
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] As we attempt to bridge the gaps and get students to meet grade level expectations, many special education teachers feel pressured during benchmarking time. A lot of school districts get it […]
Posted inElementary School, Science, Special Education
Mission Possible: Accommodating for Science
Can you actually accommodate for science for a student whose reading level is far below grade level and still make the curriculum accessible? You can and if you want to remain sane in your classroom, you should. Frustrated students who cannot access the curriculum become eventual behavior problems either (a) because they want to save […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Enough is Enough: How to Know When to Pack it Up & Take a Break
“Are you working, Mommy?” my son asks me when I pull out my laptop. The crate that sits beside the couch has become my mobile office–full of papers to grade, books, data collection, and lesson plan ideas. My routine every weeknight has become this: stay at work until five-thirty, say goodnight to the cleaning lady […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Special Education
Why Special Educators and General Educators Need Each Other
Let’s address the gigantic elephant in the room. We don’t talk enough and, quite frankly, a lot of times it seems that we just don’t get along. You just want to teach and I just want to follow my IEPs. We do have something in common, though. We both want all of our students to learn […]
Posted inFeatured, Special Education
9 Simple Ways to Prevent Burnout in Special Ed Teachers
I recently wrote an entry on my other blog about how I intended to embrace laziness this year, amongst other things, because I feel that I work so hard that I often run myself into the ground. I work hard in my personal life, as the parent of a child with autism, but I work […]