This may sound silly, but I can’t stop thinking about my T-shirt. Earlier this school year, I was talking to the speech therapist who works with my students when I noticed her fantastic shirt. It said, “Behavior is Communication.” Immediately, I asked her to send me the link to the shirt, and by the end […]
special education
Posted inCulturally Responsive Teaching
Addressing the Need: Spanish-speaking immigrants and access to special education resources
Spanish-speaking families: Growing up, my pride in my Hispanic heritage defined much of my identity. As a proud Latina, being Argentinian was a source of immense joy and pride for me. I eagerly took any opportunity to share stories about my father’s journey from Argentina to the United States, leaving his family behind for a […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Examining the role of privilege and audacity in stigmatizing parenting
It is a privilege to sit back and criticize someone’s parenting. And yet, as teachers, paraprofessionals, social workers, and school leaders, we often do just that. Criticize. Recently, there seems to be a reemergence of conversations on parenting in education. The blame game has been played for long enough and it’s time to stop. As […]
Posted inSpecial Education
Special Education: As IEP Goals Evolve, So Should School Offerings
I spent one year as an instructional assistant in a life skills classroom. Our classroom had 9 students. There were many differences in our small group. The age range was between 1st and 4th graders. The needs ranged from physical to developmental. Although I have many years of experience in the field of education and […]
Posted inOpinion
Don’t Be Afraid of Your Student in the Wheelchair
Teachers Must Ensure Equity and Inclusion for Their Students with Disabilities Students in wheelchairs “Hi, I’m Kelly, the district physical therapist,” I say as I walk into the classroom. “I emailed a couple of days ago, but I’m sure you’re absolutely swamped with email right now.” “I’m here because you have Aiden* in your class […]
Posted inOpinion
Want to Keep Special Education Teachers? Try Mentorship
“[O]ne of the most vital ways we sustain ourselves is by building communities of resistance, places where we know we are not alone.” -bell hooks Isolation island seems to be the name of the game when you enter into the special education profession. It’s often a sink or swim mentality which results in teacher retention […]
Posted inOpinion
Our Son’s Paraprofessional Changed Our Lives. Paraprofessionals Deserve Higher Pay.
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! A few days into this school year, I received a text from my husband. It was short, simple, and straight to the point: “It’s amazing the difference a qualified and responsible one-on-one aide makes in the lives of a […]
Posted inOpinion
Being a Black Woman in Special Education is Traumatic. But We Can Change That
Education: To work in special education is never an easy feat. However, “educating within special education as a Black Woman is downright traumatic.” I thought this recently as I stood in the classroom, recalling countless conversations I’d had with my special education colleagues. Black students are referred and assigned to special education restrictive programming at a […]