Posted inConfessions of a Teacher, From the Front Lines, Instructional Strategies, Middle School, Special Education

The Working Hours of a Special Education Teacher

Special education teachers work hard. People see smaller class sizes and equate that with less work, but that’s a fallacy. I can tell you that in my small class, I’m planning three different lessons and within those three lessons, I’m modifying within levels. In my inclusion classes, I modify assignments, and teachers look at it […]

Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Special Education

10 Things Only a Special Education Teacher Would Understand

By: Teresa Cooper Whether you’re a co-teacher, a resource teacher, a life skills teacher, an Autism specialist, or a behavior support specialist, you know that working as a special education teacher comes with a special set of skills and that things exist in our world that other teachers just don’t understand. As a tribute to […]

Posted inClassroom Management, Special Education

Special Education Assistants – How to Make the Most of an Important Resource (Part 3)

[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”] Teachers usually welcome all the help they can get.  Unfortunately, teachers are not always prepared to best work with Educational Assistants.  Even the most experienced teacher can improve their management skills […]

Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Special Education

Special Education Assistants: 5 Steps to Getting Assessment Support Just Right (Part 2)

  [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”] Part 1 of this series offered 5 areas of ongoing professional development for Education Assistants. In this installment, I provide EA’s with 5 steps to help determine what level of […]

Posted inFeatured, Special Education

Special Education Assistants – 5 Important Areas of Professional Development (Part 1)

Students with disabilities and students with learning difficulties are provided with various accommodations for classroom strategies, resources, and assessments so they are not disadvantaged.  It is often difficult for educators to determine the most appropriate accommodation to use and whether or not they are reasonable.  An accommodation or adjustment that helps one student may not […]