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 Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Hey Special Education Teacher,
If you’re a Resource Specialist Teacher, do you struggle with your schedule? Can’t find the right time to service your students with disabilities? Never have enough time to do your academic testing?
In today’s episode, I’ll share the MUST-HAVE components you need to create your RSP teacher schedule! Organizing your schedule so it complies with your special ed student’s IEP is not a choice. It’s a must! But scheduling around so many activities, recesses, lunches, science, and music classes is NOT easy! Putting in place certain parameters will make putting your resource schedule a little easier so you can jump right into what you do best! Teaching your students!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources Mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
EP 3: 5 Tips to Work Best with Your Paraprofessional
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Get your Spotify ‘Back to School Special’ playlist HERE!
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Hey Sped Teacher,
What do you do when you’ve inherited a poorly written IEP? Do you know who to contact about fixing this document for your new student with disabilities? What steps do you take to get their individualized education plan adjusted?
In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to fix your student with special needs’ education plan! It is frustrating when you find those errors in IEPs that you have concerns with. Yes, you’ve inherited a new IEP, but you’ve inherited a brand new student that you can help direct the education they deserve!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources Mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Get your Spotify ‘Back to School Special’ playlist HERE!
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Hey Special Education Teacher,
What do you do when you receive a new student’s IEP? How do you know it’s well-written? After reviewing the document, do you know what clues inform you that the IEP has any red flags?
In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing the 5 signs that your new student’s IEP needs your attention NOW! When that new student walks into your classroom, you’ll automatically receive their new IEP from their last school or district. Some IEPs are very well-written, and some…..not so much. The quicker we are able to identify those red flags, the faster we’ll be able to provide the most appropriate education that our new student deserves!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources Mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Get your Spotify ‘Back to School Special’ playlist HERE!
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Hey Sped Teacher,
How do you work with service providers for your students with disabilities? How often do you communicate with them? Do you collaborate with other special ed related services before that IEP (individualized education plan) meeting?
In today’s episode, you’ll be learning seven different ways with how to work and collaborate with your special education service providers! There are many benefits to working together. But the most important one is that your student will get closer to reaching their IEP goals when the team can communicate and work as a unit!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources Mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Get your Spotify ‘Back to School Special’ playlist HERE!
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Why are building relationships with students with special needs important? What is the first step to building relationships? How can Special Education teachers improve their connection with students?
In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing 4 reasons why connecting with your special needs students is NECESSARY! As teachers, we want to jump into academics right away. But we often forget about the benefits of building relationships with our students first! Listen in as I explain the importance of relationships over rigor!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources Mentioned:
EP 50. How to Handle Challenging Behavior from Students with Special Needs with Dr. Christine Reeve
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Get your Spotify ‘Back to School Special’ playlist HERE!
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Wondering how to train paraprofessionals in your special ed classroom? How do you manage special education assistants in your class? What do you teach classroom assistants to support students with special needs?
In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing the 4 areas you NEED to train your sped instructional assistants or classroom support staff in! At the beginning of the school year or getting a new hire does not leave a lot of time to train your teacher assistants. These main areas will quickly get your classroom in order for a successful new school year!
Take Care,
Michelle
Due to the wildfires, please donate to the families of Lahaina, Maui: www.instagram.com/lahaina_ohana_venmo
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Are you ready for the new school year? Do you need help with organizing your classroom? Are your routines and small group lessons planned?
In today’s episode, I will be sharing the best episodes to get your special ed classroom set up and ready to go NOW for the new school year! Whether you are a new teacher coming in or a veteran teacher, you will gain new ideas from these 8 episodes! So let’s get this year started right!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources Mentioned:
EP 02. 6 tips to set up your special education environment
EP 05. Special education classroom environment: 6 essential items that need to go up on your classroom walls as a teacher
EP 15. Is your sped class schedule ready for the school year? 7 steps with how to plan & structure your daily schedule as a special day class teacher
EP 12. Student paperwork stressing you out? 4 easy classroom systems to organize all that paperwork & data for your students with special needs
EP 11. Set up these 4 simple Organizational tools as a special education teacher
EP 16. 5 steps to structure your small groups for elementary Special Ed teachers
EP 17. 6 steps to lesson plan for your small group instruction in special education
EP 10. 4 fun back to school activities for special education elementary teachers
Get your Spotify ‘Back to School Special’ playlist HERE!
Heidi & Emily from Teacher Approved podcast Back to School Mini Audio Course: HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Have you set up your teacher planner? What do you include in your planner as a special education teacher? Do you have a system that you use to keep on track with your personal and work life?
In today’s episode, I share my own step-by-step way of how I organize the planner that I use for the new school year! Getting your planner set up will make the year so much smoother! From planning your IEP meeting dates to not missing your next doctor appointment, this system will help you transition into the school year!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources Mentioned:
Erin Condren Softbound Lifeplanner
Callie Danielle Shop
Plum Paper
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Happy 1st Birthday to the Stepping Into Special Education Podcast! I can’t believe it has been a full year since the show was released back on July 26th, 2022! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for listening to the podcast on your earbuds and in your car stereo! I started this all because of you! In hopes to help you alongside your special education journey!
In today’s episode, I will be sharing the TOP 10 most downloaded episodes! This will help guide you with what to listen to first or see if you missed any episodes that would benefit you! Getting into special education is not easy. We often struggle with finding the right support in a very specific niche that we chose to teach. My mission for this podcast is to give you strategies and support based on my own experience, so you can be further along than where I was when I first started!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources Mentioned:
Top 10 Most Downloaded Episodes: 1st Birthday Celebration for the Podcast!
#10 - EP 28: IEP 101: Part 1 Understanding the Pages of an IEP
#9 - EP 40 (Re-Release EP 3): 5 Tips to Work Best with Your Paraprofessional
#8 - Trailer: Welcome to the Stepping Into Special Education Podcast!
#7 - EP 29: 5 Steps to Handling a Special Education Student’s Physical or Aggressive Behavior IN THE MOMENT!
#6 - EP 52: 5 Things You Can Do NOW to Get Your SPED Class Ready for the New School Year!
#5 - EP 36: Want Help with Behavior Strategies for Your Students with Special Needs? The Top 5 Resources to Get the Behavior Support You NEED!
#4 - EP 02: 6 Tips to Set Up Your Special Education Classroom Environment
#3 - EP 01: My Special Education Journey and Why I Wanted to Start This Podcast!
#2 - EP 50: How to Handle Challenging Behavior from Students with Special Needs with Dr. Christine Reeve
#1 - EP 03: 5 Tips to Work Best with Your Paraprofessional
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Hey Special Education Teacher,
What are co-teaching models in special education? What are the different types of co-teaching? Wondering what are your roles and responsibilities as a co-teacher?
In today’s episode, you’ll get an overview of the 6 co-teaching models used for both students with special needs and without special needs. You’ll get a better understanding of how to be a co-teacher and work with your general education teacher the right way. This will prepare you for what to expect when you co-teach for the first time this year!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources Mentioned:
Co-Teach! Building and Sustaining Effective Classroom Partnerships In Inclusive Schools, 3rd Edition By Marilyn Friend, Ph.D.
Models for Co-Teaching Handout
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
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