STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management

By: Michelle Vazquez M.A.Ed. Special Education Teacher Special Ed Teacher IEP Writer Special Education Teacher Coach
  • Summary

  • Confused with how to write IEPs (Individualized Education Plans)? Not sure how to keep track of all the data? Tired of searching for the right behavior strategies to manage your special ed. classroom? In this podcast, you will find methods to create IEP goals that students can reach, a system to collect data with your team, & know which behavior strategies will work best for your classroom. My mission is to help new sped teachers write IEPs with confidence, share ideas for classroom management, & know how to communicate to get the support you need. If you are ready to finally walk into that IEP meeting feeling ready & know how to support your students to help them reach their full potential, you are in the right place! Hey, I’m Michelle. A wife, mommy, and special education teacher. For years I struggled with doubting myself with writing IEPs, felt completely scattered with not knowing the right data to collect, & tried so many different behavior strategies that didn’t work for my students; which left me exhausted and no time for my own personal life. I finally understood how to create IEPs for my student’s individual needs and learned how to collaborate with my paraprofessional, administrators, school psychologists, & parents! If I wanted to help reach my students’ full potential, I needed to equip myself with tools & strategies that will make the biggest impact on student success. And now I am ready to share that with you! If you are ready to help make a difference with your students, to build a solid relationship & connection with them, & finally get the support and resources you need - this podcast is for you! So grab that iced coffee, clipboard, and your favorite pen, it is time to get it started! Become an INSIDER! Join the email list! https://mailchi.mp/a7b98ae89995/stepping-into-special-education Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed Instagram: www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed Connect: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
    Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • 107. *Special Announcement* 4 Steps to Prep Paraprofessionals, Special Ed Assistants for the Beginning of the School Year
    Aug 20 2024

    Hey Special Ed Teacher,

    *Special Announcement at the end of the episode!*

    Do you know what to prep your educational aides before the beginning of the school year? What do they need to know before your students step into your classroom? How do you create an inclusive classroom so your staff feels part of the team?

    Today I’ll be sharing steps to ensure your Paraprofessionals feel like team members of the classroom community. We need to acknowledge their contributions, involve them in decision-making processes, and provide opportunities for professional growth. When paraprofessionals feel respected and included, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. By investing time and effort into these areas, we can help our paraprofessionals feel confident and capable in their roles, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our students.

    Take Care,

    Michelle

    Resources mentioned:

    • EP 3: 5 Tips to Work Best with Your Paraprofessional
    • Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!

    Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

    • Leave a 5 star review
    • Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
    • Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
    • Follow on INSTAGRAM!
    • Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    19 mins
  • 106. Dyslexia: What Is It & How Special Education Teachers Can Help Struggling Readers with Melanie Brethour
    Aug 13 2024

    Hey Special Ed Teacher,

    In today’s episode, we have special guest Melanie Brethour. Melanie Brethour is a resource teacher from Montreal, Quebec, dedicated to dyslexia awareness and the science of reading. Her commitment was sparked by her son Benjamin's dyslexia diagnosis at age 9. To better support him and her students, she earned Orton-Gillingham associate-level certification and became a CERI structured literacy teacher.

    Melanie founded Decoding Dyslexia Quebec and Soar With Dyslexia on social media to provide resources and support. She also volunteers for Dyslexia Canada, helping parents navigate dyslexia. Guided by the motto "when you know better, you do better," Melanie continues to advocate for dyslexia understanding and support for struggling students and their families.

    In this interview, Melanie and I discuss the challenges and potential solutions for identifying and supporting students with dyslexia. Melanie shared her personal experiences and recommended structured literacy approaches for teaching reading skills to dyslexic students. They also discussed the importance of transparency in parent communication and the role of special education teachers in identifying learning difficulties. This is a very insightful conversation you don’t want to miss!

    Take Care,

    Michelle

    Resources mentioned:

    • Scholastic Science of Reading Teacher Resources
    • Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
    • Get your Spotify ‘Back to School Special’ playlist HERE!

    Connect with Melanie Brethour:

    • Soar with Dyslexia Resources
    • Instagram: @soarwithdyslexia
    • Facebook: Soar with Dyslexia
    • Linkedin: Melanie Brethour

    Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

    • Leave a 5 star review
    • Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
    • Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
    • Follow on INSTAGRAM!
    • Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    38 mins
  • 105. How to Lessen Stress at the Beginning of the School Year for Sped Teachers With Brittany Blackwell
    Aug 6 2024

    Hey Special Ed Teacher,

    Already stressed with the new school year coming up? Don’t want to feel overwhelmed with all the things that come with being a special education teacher?

    In today’s episode, we have special guest Brittany Blackwell, M.Ed. Brittany is an award-winning special educator and teacher burnout & sustainability strategist from South Carolina. With over thirteen years of experience in elementary and middle school classrooms, Brittany has become an expert in addressing teacher burnout. She is also the host of the popular podcast "The Resilient Teacher Podcast".

    In this interview, I discuss with Brittany the challenges and strategies of teaching special ed, focusing on using technology to streamline processes and prioritize self-care. Brittany shared her experiences and introduced her programs, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's personality traits to manage stress and avoid burnout. We also discussed the importance of balancing personal and professional responsibilities. Listen in to reduce your stress this next school year!

    Take Care,

    Michelle

    Resources mentioned:

    • Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
    • Get your Spotify ‘Back to School Special’ playlist HERE!

    Connect with Brittany Blackwell:

    • Website: http://www.teachingmindbodyandsoul.com
    • Podcast: http://www.teachingmindbodyandsoul.com/podcast
    • Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/TeachingMindBodyandSoul
    • Tiktok: http://www.tiktok.com/msprincessteach
    • Email: brittany@teachingmindbodyandsoul
    • Personalized Roadmap to Teacher Burnout Recovery Quiz: http://www.teachingmindbodyandsoul.com/quiz

    Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

    • Leave a 5 star review
    • Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
    • Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
    • Follow on INSTAGRAM!
    • Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    36 mins

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