STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management
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
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Episodes
Tuesday Aug 23, 2022
Tuesday Aug 23, 2022
Hi Friend,
Are you struggling with connecting with your special needs parents? Have you wondered what experiences they go through? Want to support your student’s parents, but don’t know how?
In today’s episode I have one my most favorite people in the world as my guest, Lorena Diaz! Lorena is a business owner, wife, mother of 4 and about to adopt 2 more children! But most importantly, she is a special needs parent. Today she will be sharing her amazing story of what it was like as a parent, to have her son with Autism begin his school journey 13 years ago. We will also be highlighting 4 points of her story that special education teachers can use to support their special needs parents.
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you will learn:
A parent’s perspective of their personal experience
Empathy towards our student’s parents
Ways to approach parents to create a great support system for their child
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
Hey Friend,
How do you connect with your student’s parents? Do you know where to start? You’ll be teaching their children for years to come, how do you make that good first impression that’ll last?
Today you will learn 6 ways to create a great parent-teacher relationship from the BEGINNING! Developing that relationship with our student’s parents is vital for student success in their educational journey. It makes a huge difference with everyone involved: you the teacher, the parent, but especially the student.
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
Creative ways to connect with parents
How to overcome language barriers
Positive contact
How to communicate for IEP meetings
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
Hey Friend,
Now you’re finally in your brand new special ed classroom, do you know where to start? What do you add to your classroom walls? What kind of decoration do you put up?
Today you will learn 6 essential items that you need to put up on your classroom walls NOW! All items are a must-have to create a calm learning environment. Not only will your decor be pretty, but functional to your student's learning that you’ll be able to use every day.
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
The best decor that will benefit the students
Strategies with setting up classroom rules
A structured classroom schedule
Features of a small group schedule and more!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Hi Friend,
Did you know that learning goes on after earning your teaching credential, Masters degree, and Doctorate degree? When becoming an educator in special education or any teaching field you are now a life-long learner?
In today’s episode you will learn 3 reasons for expanding your self-growth and why you should never stop learning. Some learning we have no control over and others, we can see as an added benefit for yourself and all students.
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode I share:
As educators we do not have control over what we learn and teach
How learning can benefit you as an educator
Growing our own learning can help grow others
Resource Mentioned:
Episode 2: 6 Tips to Set Up Your Special Education Classroom Environment
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Hi Friend,
Are you not sure how to work with your paraprofessional? Do you want to work better as a team? Feeling overwhelmed and don’t know how your paraprofessional can help?
In today’s episode, I have my very first guest, Jackie Rodriguez! Jackie worked with me as a paraprofessional about 4 years ago, and today we will be sharing our 5 tips to work best with your paraprofessional! We will share our experience together when we first met and what worked between us for the next two years after that. I am so excited because Jackie will be giving us her perspective that will benefit special education teachers. I hope you will share what resonated with you or tips you can share in my Facebook community.
www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode we share:
How creating a relationship with your paraprofessional will make a difference
The importance of communication
How to work as a team
Benefits of asking for input from the team
Finding the gifts and strengths of your paraprofessional
Resource Mentioned:
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Hey Friend,
Are you moving into your new special ed classroom? Or moved into a new classroom? Overwhelmed and not sure what to do first?
Today you will learn 6 tips to get your special education classroom environment set up quickly. Just simply adding certain areas and the placement of furniture will make the biggest difference in the flow and structure of your class. These tips will help make the school year run smoother.
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
How to quickly set up your special ed classroom environment
What designated areas are important to have in your class
What to consider when putting up decorations and posters on your classroom walls in a special education class
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Hey Friend,
Are you searching for someone that knows exactly what you’re going through? Someone that has been in your shoes and understands how overwhelming it is with becoming a new special education teacher?
Today in this podcast, I share with you my own personal journey and experience getting into the world of special education. A glimpse of the different experiences I’ve been through, how I knew special education was for me, the realization I went through being a new teacher, my plan for this podcast, and the episodes to look forward to.
This episode will show you that I know what you’re going through friend because I’ve been there before.
Take Care,
Michelle
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Friday Jul 15, 2022
Friday Jul 15, 2022
Hi Friend,
Are you overwhelmed with how to set up your special ed. classroom? Confused with teaching small groups? How will you work with your paraprofessionals and other service providers?
Hey friends & welcome to ‘Stepping Into Special Education’! I’m Michelle Vazquez. A wife, mommy, and special education teacher.
In this podcast, my mission is to supply new teachers with strategies through self-growth, classroom organization, and community building. If you’re ready to jump-start that classroom, have a plan for small groups, and learn how to work best with support staff - this podcast is for you!
Take Care,
Michelle
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com