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

87. 5 Ways to Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with All Students!

Hey Special Education Teacher,
April is Autism Acceptance Month! Do you have a favorite way to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month? 
Working in the education field, there is an extremely high chance that you have already worked with or will work with a student with Autism. That is one reason I feel it is so important to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month. We are striving to be more inclusive and promote education, understanding, and respect for the differences of people with autism. In this episode, I'm sharing some ideas on how you can help celebrate our individuals with autism both inside the classroom and out. 
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Masterpiece: an inclusive kids' book celebrating a child on the autism spectrum (The Incredible Kids)
All My Stripes: A Story for Children With Autism
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin 
Uniquely Wired: A Story About Autism and Its Gifts  
Autism Society of America
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
FREE LESSONS! Autism Society Inland Empire: ‘Autism Acceptance in the Schools’ Lessons
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86. Being Evaluated This Year? 8 Things You Must Include in Your Lesson Plan Before Your Next Observation as a Special Ed Teacher!

Hey Sped Teacher,
Are you nervous about an upcoming observation? Do you tend to stress yourself out by overdoing it on your observation lesson plans?
For many teachers (me included!), pressure and nerves come along with knowing you have an observation coming up. I would try to come up with some new and exciting lesson that covered every aspect of a standard. I was a nervous wreck! After a few years, I realized that I didn’t need to be doing this elaborate prep or creating brand new activities and lessons just because I was being observed. I was able to narrow it down to the 8 things that I knew I needed to include in my lessons in order for me to have a successful observation. Tune in to hear what I include in observation lessons and real life examples so you can put them into practice in time for your next observation!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Readworks
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85. Top 3 Reasons to Focus on Behavior FIRST before Academics with Your Students with Disabilities!

Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Do you struggle with managing behavior in your special ed classroom? Are you ready to create a better learning environment for your students with disabilities?
When I was in my first couple years of teaching, I was so excited about decorating my classroom, getting my students into the classroom, and teaching them all the exciting lessons I had planned. And then the first days of school came and I had students crying, running out the classroom, flipping desks, etc. I knew I NEEDED to figure out my classroom management before I could effectively teach my students. I don’t want you to take as long as it took for me to get your class to the point they are ready to learn. In this episode, I am sharing the top 3 reasons to focus on behavior before academics and 6 ideas for how to actually implement focusing on behavior first.
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
EP 27: Need a RESET in Managing Classroom Behavior? 7 Ideas to Get Your Special Ed Classroom Back in Order Again! 
EP 50: How to Handle Challenging Behavior from Students with Special Needs with Dr. Christine Reeve
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84. State Testing Is Coming! How to Prep NOW for the State Assessment as a Special Education Teacher

Hey Sped Teacher!
State testing is quickly approaching! Are you starting to prep for the assessments? Does prepping for state testing make you feel stressed out? 
As a new special education teacher, I had no idea how to help my students prepare for the state assessments. Every year, I felt so stressed trying to figure out what to do beforehand so my students would feel prepared instead of confused when they got to the test. After a few years of taking more trainings, making myself familiar with the assessments, and collaborating with the test coordinator, I finally found a flow that is effective and efficient for prepping for the state assessments. In this episode, I am breaking down the 6 steps I take to preparing myself and my students for state testing.
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
California Department of Ed
CAASPP state test videos
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83. Can’t Fit Everything in One Day? 6 Tips on How to Feel Productive in Your SPED Classroom!

Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Do you feel like you're constantly scrambling to cover everything that needs to be covered in the day? Are you looking for ways to get the most out of your classroom time?
As special ed teachers, our days just fly by! I’ve definitely gotten to the end of the day and wondered what I even got done. Our to-do lists seem to be never ending and trying to tackle everything seems overwhelming. But throughout my years as a special education teacher, I have learned some tips and tools that help me be more productive in my day. Tune in to hear my 6 best productivity tips for when it feels like you can’t fit everything into your day!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Plum Paper Planner
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82. Want a Change of Placement (COP)? 6 Areas to Look at FIRST for Your Student with Special Needs

Hey Special Education Teacher,
Have you ever had a student you thought may need a change of placement? Are you curious about the signs that indicate a student may need a COP? 
There are several things that need to be taken into account when considering a change in placement for a student. In my first change of placement meeting, I realized that I did not have nearly enough data to get the student into the appropriate educational setting she needed. I want to ensure this does not happen to you and that you are prepared when you want a COP for a student. In this episode, I am diving into the 6 areas you need to look at first before thinking of changing a student's placement.
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
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IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
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81. Mild to Moderate Support Needs vs Extensive Support Needs: What’s the Difference?

Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Are you unsure if you want to teach in a mild to moderate or extensive needs classroom? Are you not really sure what the differences are between the two? I’ve been there and I’m breaking it all down for you today so you can make the best decision possible for you!
There are some distinct differences between teaching mild to moderate support needs vs extensive support needs. Some of these differences may affect which setting you want to teach in. Join me as I unpack the differences in curriculum, class size, aides, eligibilities and cognitive levels, training, and assessments that shape these two distinct teaching settings.
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Leave a 5 star review
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com

80. Are You Returning Next School Year? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Leaving Your Special Ed Teaching Position

Hey Special Education Teacher,
Have you thought about the possibility of not returning to your current role next school year? Has the thought of leaving special education altogether crossed your mind? Before you make any decisions, I encourage you to tune into this episode!
Choosing whether to stay or leave is not easy and many factors play into the decision. Research shows that 25% of special education teachers leave their positions each year which is significantly higher than teachers teaching in traditional classrooms. Our job is hard! And if you are thinking about leaving your current role, this episode is for you. I am sharing the 5 questions I believe you should ask yourself before you make a decision about leaving your special ed teaching position.
Take Care,
Michelle
 
Resources mentioned:
Episode 14: Are You Feeling Alone in Your Special Education Journey? 4 Places to Make Connections & Build Relationships to Get That Special Ed Support You Need!
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79. Which Teaching Credential or License Is Right for You? 5 Types of Special Education Specialty Areas

Hey Sped Teacher,
Are you a special ed teacher looking to choose the right specialty area for your passion? Is deciding which credential is the best fit feeling overwhelming? Do you know the opportunities and responsibilities that come with each credential?
Join me in this episode as I break down the 5 different types of specialty areas in special education. As special educators, it can be confusing and stressful to decide which license or credential we want to pursue. Oftentimes, we may not even fully understand what each one means or the opportunities that we will have once we receive our license or credential. If you are currently in that position, I completely understand because I’ve been there! That’s why I’m diving into the special education specialty areas and making them easy to understand so you can make the choice that best fits your passion!
Take Care,
Michelle
 
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE! 
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78. Don’t Do These 5 Things with Parents of Special Needs Students

Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Are you supporting parents of special needs students in the best way possible? Have you wondered if there are things you can do to build stronger relationships with your students’ parents? 
In this episode, we’re diving into 5 things to avoid when building strong relationships with our students’ parents. As busy special education teachers, it can be so easy to forget how important paying attention to the little details of communication is but these little details can make a big impact on our relationship with parents. We need to ensure we are being supportive and respectful of the parents, their thoughts and feelings, and any worries they may have. Tune in to hear how you can help to build strong, positive relationships with parents of special needs students!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE! 
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Follow on INSTAGRAM! 
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com