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 Jan 10, 2023
Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
After the winter break, did your students with special needs forget what it’s like to behave in the classroom? Are you wondering what are the best classroom management strategies? How can I improve my classroom management skills as a special education teacher?
Today I will be sharing 7 ideas for you to re-establish the foundational behavior systems in your sped classroom! You will learn the first steps it takes, to manage your students with disabilities and special ed assistants. A RESET is needed, so your special education classroom can be up and running smoothly again!
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
How necessary it is to build the same foundational skills you did at the beginning of the school year
Learning opportunities to teach social skills to our students with special needs
Other systems that you can take back to your classroom
Resources Mentioned:
The Dark Side of Classroom Behavior Management Charts
EP 5: Special Education Classroom Environment: 6 Essential Items That Need to Go Up on Your Classroom Walls
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Hey SPED Teacher,
Are you struggling to find time to do all the things to be a special ed teacher? Are you wondering how you can improve your time management skills? Are you always thinking to yourself, “Only if I just had more time”!
Today I will be sharing 5 steps you can take to find the time you NEED as a special education teacher! You will learn what is taking your attention away and identify what you need to do to get that attention back! A plan is never just one and done, but something to refine and reflect on to finally get the time you desperately need!
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
How to set up your week for success
A realistic goal that you can achieve in one day
Not to give up right away if your plan fails
Resources Mentioned:
EP 11: Set Up These 4 Simple Organizational Tools as a Special Education Teacher!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Reflecting on the past year, what have you learned with being a special ed teacher? What worked in your classroom? What did not? What are your New Year’s resolutions for your career & your personal life?
With the 2022 year coming to an end, I will be sharing 3 important lessons I learned about the past year as a special education teacher. Also, what goals I have for the New Year coming up! Reflection is the best way to improve our skills in the classroom for our students with special needs, but also to be there for our own family at home!
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode I’ll share:
THE most important thing I learned as a parent & a teacher
What the pandemic made me realize
Exciting news coming up this year!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY !
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Hey Special Education Teacher,
How do you set boundaries this school year? When do you know when work life is getting in the way of your personal life? Or when your personal life is getting in the way while you are at work?
Today I will be sharing 3 questions to ask yourself with how to set boundaries in your personal life and school for a special education and any teacher! You will learn tactical tips to lessen distractions. Also, how to be more aware and mindful when your attention is not where its supposed to be. Set up these boundary ideas as you go into the holiday break!
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
What happens after you get distracted
To recognize and take time for life’s precious moments
Boundaries with parents and staff
Resources Mentioned:
EP 6: 6 Ways to Create a Great Parent-Teacher Relationship from the Beginning!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Dec 13, 2022
Tuesday Dec 13, 2022
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
It is the last week of school in December and winter break is coming up quickly! Are you ready to start your vacation? Did you go over your to-do list for this week? Are your IEP (Individualized Education Plan) responsibilities and duties completed?
Today I will be sharing the top 4 IEP must-dos that need to be done before leaving your classroom. We all love this week with the holiday crafts and classroom parties. But do not forget about our special education teacher responsibilities for our student’s IEPs. Let’s all wrap up this year with a great head start for the new year!
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
Which reports go out this week
Questions to ask yourself to be ready for your upcoming IEPs
Which materials you need to prepare for the new year
Resources Mentioned:
EP 12 Student Paperwork Stressing You Out? 4 Easy Classroom Systems to Organize All That Paperwork and Data for Your Students with Special Needs!
EP 19 4 Steps to Collect Data and Organize It for an IEP Meeting
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
Hey SpEd Teacher,
The holidays are almost here! Are you wondering if students should get homework over winter break? Do you think, is holiday homework necessary? If you do decide to give work, what kind of work do you even give?
Today I will be sharing 5 critical skills for your students with special needs to practice during the winter break. I will give the reason why it may be a good idea to provide work during the long vacations. Also suggestions for what your students can do to maintain the skills you’ve taught them!
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
Ideas for language arts & math holiday work
Differentiated work according to grade & ability level
Incentives to get your students motivated
***Celebrate with me on my 20th episode, 2K downloads, & ranking in the top 2% globally as the most popular podcasts! Enter the raffle to win a $20 Target gift card! To enter just leave me a written review on Apple Podcasts, screenshot it, and post it into the FREE private Facebook group HERE ! This will be your entry! If you’ve already written a review for me, look for it on Apple podcast in my show, screenshot it, and post it in the GROUP! This will be your entry! The raffle will end on 12/6/22! I will read the winner on the 12/13/22 episode & in the GROUP! Good luck!
Resources Mentioned:
www.readworks.org
www.k5learning.com
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
IEP progress reports are due! Are you wondering how often should IEP progress be reported? What should a student progress report include? Wondering how do you prepare a student progress report?
Today I share how I prepare for when IEP goal progress reports are due. These steps will help give you a quick start to begin early, so you can enjoy your Winter Break faster! Do not leave it last on your list, get started today!
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
A plan so you won’t forget when IEP progress reports are due
Objective goal dates to consider
To not overlook a type of IEP
***Celebrate with me on my 20th episode, 2K downloads, & ranking in the top 2% globally as the most popular podcasts! Enter the raffle to win a $20 Target gift card! To enter just leave me a written review on Apple Podcasts, screenshot it, and post it into the FREE private Facebook group HERE! This will be your entry! If you’ve already written a review for me, look for it on the Apple podcast in my show, screenshot it, and post it in the GROUP! This will be your entry! The raffle will end on 12/6/22! I will read the winner on the 12/13/22 episode & in the GROUP! Good luck!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Are you up late worried? Thinking if you’re doing a good job? Are you wondering what qualities make a good special ed teacher?
You just heard that ONE negative comment or critique about your teaching. Now you’re up late at night, thinking if you have what it takes to be a sped teacher. Today I share 4 questions to ask yourself to get that validation you need as a special education teacher! These questions will help you look more at the positive side of education, but also humble yourself to know when you need to change.
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
When in doubt, just ask!
To humble ourselves when needing constructive criticism
To not forget the amazing qualities you do have
Resources Mentioned:
EP 4 - The Top 3 Reasons for Self-Growth: Why Special Education Teachers Should Never Stop Learning!
EP 3 - 5 Tips to Work Best with Your Paraprofessional, Special Ed Aide
***Celebrate with me on my 20th episode, 2K downloads, & ranking in the top 2% globally as the most popular podcasts! Enter the raffle to win a $20 Target gift card! To enter just leave me a written review on Apple Podcasts, screen shot it, upload it onto your stories on Instagram, and tag me! This will be your entry! If you’ve already wrote a review for me, look for it on Apple podcast in my show, screenshot it, upload it to your stories on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag me! This will be your entry! The raffle entry will end on 12/6/22! I will read the winner on the 12/13/22 episode & on my Instagram stories! Good luck!***
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Nov 15, 2022
Tuesday Nov 15, 2022
Hey SPED Teacher,
Confused about how to collect IEP data? Searching for “how to collect special education data” before your next meeting? Need an easy way to keep track of IEP data?
Today you will learn 4 steps to collect data and organize it for an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting! Organizing all the paperwork that comes with being a special ed teacher has always been my struggle! But after years of trial and error, I will show you a simple way how to collect data for IEP goals.
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
To connect IEP goals & lesson planning
A simple way to collect IEP documents
How to create an easy IEP goal system to use throughout the year
Resources Mentioned:
EP 11. Set Up These 4 Simple Organizational Tools as a Special Education Teacher!
EP 12. Student Paperwork Stressing You Out? 4 Easy Classroom Systems to Organize All That Paperwork and Data for Your Students with Special Needs!
Contact me to grab a FREE SPED Teacher Mentor call! I’ll be able to personalize a plan with you for your students to achieve their IEP goals! I only have ONE spot available for this ONE-time offer!! Contact me at steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Do you need fall activities for your Mild/Moderate special education students? Wondering what November theme lessons would be fun? How do you make fall special & meaningful for your students with special needs?
Today I share 6 fun November Fall activities that you can do in your special education classroom! Many students do not get the opportunity to do fun crafts, so school is the place to have fun with their classroom family! With the constant overwhelm of being a SpEd teacher, taking the time to enjoy the holidays with your students will make it so much more special!
Take Care,
Michelle
In this episode you’ll learn:
Where to get great ideas for fall crafts
Various writing activities your students will enjoy
Who we should not forget in the month of November
Resources Mentioned:
www.pinterest.com
www.getepic.com
Contact me to grab a FREE SPED Teacher Mentor call! I’ll be able to personalize a plan with you for your students to achieve their IEP goals! I only have 2 spots available for this ONE time offer!! Contact me at steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Become an INSIDER & join the email list! https://mailchi.mp/a7b98ae89995/stepping-into-special-education
Join the Facebook Community, www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com