Explore every episode of the podcast STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| 107. *Special Announcement* 4 Steps to Prep Paraprofessionals, Special Ed Assistants for the Beginning of the School Year | 20 Aug 2024 | 00:18:54 | |
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:
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| 106. Dyslexia: What Is It & How Special Education Teachers Can Help Struggling Readers with Melanie Brethour | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:38:02 | |
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:
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| 97. End of the Year Wrap-Up: My Special Ed Teacher Journey 2023-2024 | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:12:28 | |
Hey Special Education Teacher, We made it to the end of another school year! But before we head into summer and start enjoying our time off, I’m taking some time to look back and reflect on this school year. I have found that taking this time to reflect has really helped me to grow in my career. One thing I love to do at the end of the school year is to think back over the year and appreciate some of the amazing accomplishments my students and I achieved while also acknowledging some areas I can grow in for the upcoming year. So join me today as I share my top three highlights of this year as well as the three areas I’d like to improve on for next year. I hope this episode inspires you to reflect back on your year and appreciate what you’ve accomplished as well! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 07. The Parent Perspective: How to Best Support Our Special Needs Parents! | 23 Aug 2022 | 00:34:40 | |
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:
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| 06. 6 Ways to Create a Great Parent-Teacher Relationship Right from the Beginning to Support Your Special Need Students! | 16 Aug 2022 | 00:14:46 | |
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:
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| 05. Special Education Classroom Environment: 6 Essential Items That Need to Go Up on Your Classroom Walls as a Teacher | 09 Aug 2022 | 00:12:20 | |
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:
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| 04. Top 3 Reasons for Self-Growth: Why Special Education Teachers Should Never Stop Learning! | 02 Aug 2022 | 00:08:59 | |
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:
Resource Mentioned: Episode 2: 6 Tips to Set Up Your Special Education Classroom Environment Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
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| 03. 5 Tips to Work Best with Your Paraprofessional, Special Ed Aide, Special Education Classroom Assistant | 26 Jul 2022 | 00:31:10 | |
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:
Resource Mentioned:
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| 02. 6 Tips to Set Up Your Special Education Classroom Environment | 26 Jul 2022 | 00:08:20 | |
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:
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| 01. My Special Education Journey and Why I Wanted to Start This Podcast! | 26 Jul 2022 | 00:12:24 | |
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
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| Welcome to the Stepping Into Special Education Podcast! | 16 Jul 2022 | 00:02:13 | |
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
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| 96. Least Restrictive Environment: The Continuum of Special Education Services | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:12:13 | |
Hey Special Ed Teacher, You know that having students in the least restrictive environment is the law but have you found yourself wondering what it really means? If you’re like me, you probably learned about LRE in college but by the time you were in the classroom, you found it hard to remember all the details of the continuum of services. In today’s episode, I am sharing an overview of the ten different levels of supports a student with an eligibility can be placed on so you can be prepared when determining a student’s LRE. Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 95. 4 Things I’m Already Planning for Next School Year as a Sped Teacher! | 28 May 2024 | 00:10:39 | |
Hey Sped Teacher, Have you found yourself scrambling at the end of summer to get everything ready for the new school year? Are you ready to get a head start on the next school year so you don’t end up stressed again? We are all looking forward to resting and relaxing this summer! We definitely deserve it! But I’ve learned my lesson about waiting until the last minute to prepare for next school year. After a few years of waiting until the last minute to get things ready for the new school year, I decided I needed a new system that didn’t leave me scrambling. So although it seems far away, I am sharing the 4 things I’m doing to get ready for next school year to hopefully give you a head start on the new year as well! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 94. Want a Work & Home Life Balance? How I Get Work Done and Turn It Off as a Special Ed Teacher! | 21 May 2024 | 00:17:11 | |
Hey Special Education Teacher, Are you looking to find a better work and home life balance? Are you convinced that staying late and taking work home is just the way it is for teachers? I spent several years staying after school for hours. I had no idea how to turn off work mode and felt like I had to do all the things! A few years down the road, I realized that I was not giving my family the attention they deserved and I needed to figure out how to get my work done at school and prioritize my life outside of school. If you find yourself struggling to find work-life balance, tune in as I share my tips for getting work done and turning off work mode once your work day is done! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 93. The 1 Thing I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Special Ed Teacher! | 14 May 2024 | 00:11:45 | |
Hey Sped Teacher, Curious about what a veteran special education teacher wishes she knew before beginning her special education teaching journey? Do you wish you had insider knowledge before beginning your own journey as a special ed teacher? I’m sure I am not alone when I say that after getting some experience as a new special education teacher, I found myself thinking about all the things I wished I had known before because I guarantee I am not the only one who felt thrown right into it all feeling completely unprepared. So to help out all the new (and even veteran!) special education teachers, I am sharing the one thing I wish I knew before becoming a special education teacher. Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 92. 5 Tips on How to Survive the Last Month of the School Year! Special Education Teacher Edition | 07 May 2024 | 00:12:36 | |
Hey Special Education Teacher, Feeling the pressure of the last month of the school year? Wondering how to keep students engaged during the last month of the school year? We are entering the final stretch of the school year! But this last month of school always seems challenging. Between all the end of year tasks, maintaining student engagement, meetings, and feeling burnt out, the end of the year can be incredibly overwhelming! The good news is that it doesn’t need to be! In this episode, I am sharing 5 tips to help you not only survive, but thrive, during the last month of school! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 91. How to Collaborate with General Ed Teachers for Our Students with Disabilities | 30 Apr 2024 | 00:14:04 | |
Hey Sped Teacher, Are you struggling to connect with your gen ed colleagues as a special education teacher? Do you want to collaborate with general ed teachers to better serve your students but aren’t sure where to start? As our students’ case manager, we are to provide our students with the least restrictive environment. This means that we should be working closely with our general ed teachers to ensure our students with an IEP are getting the opportunity to be in their least restrictive environment. Unfortunately, I know I am not alone when I say I have experienced a fair amount of pushback from general ed teachers. If you’ve been there, be sure to tune in to this episode to hear seven ideas for collaborating with general ed teachers for our students with disabilities. Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 90. Resource Specialist Teacher vs Special Day Class Teacher: What’s the Difference? | 23 Apr 2024 | 00:16:41 | |
Hey Special education Teacher, Are you considering making a transition from SDC to RSP, or RSP to SDC? Have you wondered what the differences are between these positions? In my 15 years of experience, I’ve spent 10 years as an SDC teacher before transitioning into my current role as an RSP teacher. I know that knowing and understanding the differences between these roles can be helpful when deciding which position is the best fit for you! So today, I am sharing the 7 biggest differences between the two positions as well as what I personally find to be the pros and cons for each. If you are considering making the transition from one position to the other, this episode is for you! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 89. Transitional IEPs: What Are They and Quick Tips for Sped Teachers! | 16 Apr 2024 | 00:12:54 | |
Hey Sped Teacher, Do you have elementary or middle school students transitioning on to their next school? Are you unsure how to prepare for a transitional IEP meeting? When students are moving from an elementary school to a middle school or a middle school to high school, it is crucial to have transitional IEPs to help with facilitating a smooth transition for your students with special needs. These transitional IEPs don’t need to be overwhelming, though! Whether you will be preparing your first transitional IEPs this year or have done them in the past and are looking for tips, tune in to hear how I ensure my transitional IEPs go smoothly! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 88. 9 Tips on How to Lessen State Test Anxiety for Students with Special Needs! | 09 Apr 2024 | 00:18:43 | |
Hey Special Ed Teacher, Are you looking for ways to help your students with special needs manage test anxiety? Do you want your students to be as relaxed and prepared as possible for state testing? We all have students who overthink and stress out before tests. This can come out in a variety of ways including crying, attitudes, dropping to the floor, etc. This can be gut wrenching to see and seeing them look to you with overwhelm in their eyes when the tests begins is even worse! The good news is there are some proactive ways we can help our students feel less stress and anxiety when it’s time for state testing. Tune in to hear my top 9 tips for effectively helping students reduce state testing anxiety so they can feel more comfortable and at ease when testing time comes. Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 105. How to Lessen Stress at the Beginning of the School Year for Sped Teachers With Brittany Blackwell | 06 Aug 2024 | 00:35:44 | |
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:
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| 87. 5 Ways to Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with All Students! | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:15:41 | |
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:
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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! | 26 Mar 2024 | 00:14:53 | |
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: Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
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| 85. Top 3 Reasons to Focus on Behavior FIRST before Academics with Your Students with Disabilities! | 19 Mar 2024 | 00:14:59 | |
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:
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| 84. State Testing Is Coming! How to Prep NOW for the State Assessment as a Special Education Teacher | 12 Mar 2024 | 00:12:13 | |
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:
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| 83. Can’t Fit Everything in One Day? 6 Tips on How to Feel Productive in Your SPED Classroom! | 05 Mar 2024 | 00:13:31 | |
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:
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| 82. Want a Change of Placement (COP)? 6 Areas to Look at FIRST for Your Student with Special Needs | 27 Feb 2024 | 00:13:12 | |
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:
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| 81. Mild to Moderate Support Needs vs Extensive Support Needs: What’s the Difference? | 20 Feb 2024 | 00:15:18 | |
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:
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| 80. Are You Returning Next School Year? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Leaving Your Special Ed Teaching Position | 13 Feb 2024 | 00:13:14 | |
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:
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| 79. Which Teaching Credential or License Is Right for You? 5 Types of Special Education Specialty Areas | 06 Feb 2024 | 00:14:47 | |
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
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com | |||
| 78. Don’t Do These 5 Things with Parents of Special Needs Students | 30 Jan 2024 | 00:13:24 | |
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:
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com | |||
| 104. Concrete-Representational-Abstract Method: How to Utilize CRA in Math with Students with Special Needs | 30 Jul 2024 | 00:09:20 | |
Hey Sped Teacher, Are you wondering if the way you are teaching your students math is effective? Are you curious what the best way to teach math to your students with special needs is? In this episode, we are diving into how to utilize the Concrete-Representational-Abstract, or CRA, method with your students. I am sharing my top 6 tips for implementing the CRA method effectively. You’ll learn the importance of assessing students, setting your classroom up for success with the CRA method, integrating the method into your lesson plans, and more! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 77. Time to Collect IEP Meeting Documents? 5 Steps to Begin Gathering What You Need Now as a Special Ed Teacher! | 23 Jan 2024 | 00:12:18 | |
Hey Special Ed Teacher, IEP season is here! How do you like to prepare for IEP meetings? What do you do to ensure you have all the documents needed before it’s meeting time? Are you looking for a better system so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute to get everything ready? Today, I’m breaking down the 5 steps I take to ensure I am ready to step into my IEP meetings prepared and confident. Having everything collected and ready ahead of time helps the meeting go smoothly and takes away the stress of gathering things last minute. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes when it comes to preparing for IEP meetings but I want you to avoid making those same mistakes so tune in to hear about my 5 step system for gathering IEP meeting documents! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com | |||
| 76. Token Boards: 7 Steps to Start Replacing Behaviors with Your Students with Disabilities! | 16 Jan 2024 | 00:12:22 | |
Hey Sped Teacher, How do you use token boards in the special ed classroom? How do you use token boards effectively? How can it be used to promote positive behavior? In today’s episode, I’ll share 7 steps to replace behaviors you want to change with your students with special needs! Sometimes, our whole classroom behavior system does not work for every student. This is when extra behavioral support is needed to help our students with disabilities. The faster we set these strategies, the sooner we can start seeing the positive behaviors we’d like to see! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 75. How to Collaborate and Maintain a Good Relationship with Your Special Needs Parents! | 09 Jan 2024 | 00:12:19 | |
Hey Special Education Teacher, How do you work with parents of your students with special needs? What do you say when you first introduce yourself? How do you keep your special needs parents' relationship going strong? In today’s episode, I’ll share how I collaborate and keep a good relationship with my special needs parents! That first impression is crucial in building a relationship with them. I’ve learned a lot of lessons along the way to make it a better supportive experience for the person it benefits the most….the child. Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 74. My Top 6 Special Ed Classroom Tips to Keep You Organized! | 02 Jan 2024 | 00:12:39 | |
Hey Special Ed Teacher, How do you structure your special education classroom? How do you manage your special ed class? What do you do to keep it organized? In today’s episode, I’ll share my top, tried, and true organization tips that I use in my own sped classroom! After going to two different districts, two different positions, three different schools, and moving into seven different classrooms (yes, SEVEN!)...I’ve made many organizational decisions throughout my 15 years of teaching! These top 6 tips have proven to help with my classroom environment, and I hope they can help you, too! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 73. What I Learned in 2023 as a Special Education Teacher and My Goals for 2024! | 27 Dec 2023 | 00:18:13 | |
Hey Sped Teacher, How was your 2023 year? Did you learn any new lessons personally and/or professionally? Any upcoming goals you’d like to accomplish for the next 2024 year? In today’s episode, I’ll be getting personal and sharing the hard lessons I learned in 2023 and some new goals I foresee this upcoming year! Reflecting on a not-easy year can be difficult, but it’s freeing to be open and honest and understand how to better ourselves so it doesn’t happen again. We can all start this new year with more experience and know how to protect ourselves better so we are ready for 2024! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 72. To Work or Not to Work? The Pros & Cons and How I Spend My Winter Break as a Sped Teacher! | 19 Dec 2023 | 00:16:50 | |
Hey Special Ed Teacher, It’s almost time for winter break! Do you have a plan for how you are spending your vacation? Will it be all about rest time? Or will you be catching up on work? Today, I share the pros and cons of working during your break and what I do during my vacation time! When our winter break finally arrives, all we want to do is….NOTHING!! But before you know it, it’s the day before returning, and we’re in panic mode, scrambling to finish work tasks! It’s time to plan your vacation NOW so you’re not overwhelmed as soon as you return to your classroom! Take Care, Michelle Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
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| 71. 7 Areas to Declutter in Your Special Education Classroom Before Winter Break! | 05 Dec 2023 | 00:10:06 | |
Hey Sped Teacher, Is your classroom environment feeling overwhelming? Want to feel more organized after winter break? Don’t know what areas to start clearing? Today, I share 7 areas to begin decluttering your special education classroom! We are so busy teaching and writing IEPs that we sometimes let our classrooms go. Let’s start the new year with a clear classroom and a refreshed mind! Take Care, Michelle Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
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| 70. Struggling with Lesson Planning? 5 Must-Haves When Teaching Your Students with Disabilities | 28 Nov 2023 | 00:11:28 | |
Hey Special Education Teacher, Struggling with lesson planning? How do you begin teaching your students with special needs? What does your aide do during instruction? Today, I share 5 must-haves when planning lessons for your special ed classroom! As special education teachers, unfortunately, we do not get the training and support we need right away. This episode gives you a head start to structure your lesson plans quickly! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 69. Re-Release Ep 20 “Am I Doing a Good Job?” 4 Questions to Ask Yourself to Feel Validated as a Special Education Teacher! | 21 Nov 2023 | 00:20:04 | |
Hey Special Ed Teacher, Today’s episode is a re-release of episode 20! 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 Resources mentioned:
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| 68. Power Struggles with Your Students with Special Needs? DO THIS! | 14 Nov 2023 | 00:14:51 | |
Hey Sped Teacher, How do you deal with a power struggle with your students with special needs? Can you prevent these power struggles from happening in the first place? How do we change the dynamics and not engage in negative conflict with our students? In today’s episode, I will share the ONE thing we can do to stop these power struggles from beginning in the first place! Also, I'll explain what steps to take to get there. This will motivate your students to try their best and build their self-esteem. And it all comes down to US! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 103. Top 10 Most Downloaded Episodes: 2nd Birthday Celebration for the Podcast! | 23 Jul 2024 | 00:14:40 | |
Hey Special ed Teacher, Happy 2nd birthday to the Stepping into Special Education Podcast! I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since the first episode was released. Thank you so much for being part of the show for the past 2 years! Today we are looking back through the second year of the Stepping into Special Education Podcast. I am sharing the top episodes from the past year and giving you an overview of each of the episodes so you can find the ones you want to go back and listen to. Whether you’re looking for which episodes you should check out or need a refresher on a certain topic, tune in to find the top episodes from year two! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com | |||
| 67. Co-teaching Essentials: My 6 Must-Haves to Support Special Ed Student Success | 07 Nov 2023 | 00:13:12 | |
Hey Special Education Teacher, Are you new to co-teaching? Do you know how it works in special ed? What materials do you need to get started to be a co-teacher? In today’s episode, I will share the most significant essentials I need as a sped co-teacher. After pushing into the general education classroom, I learned what is needed to have my students with disabilities be successful. These necessities will help you support their educational journey. Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned:
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| 66. Re-Release Ep 21. IEP Progress Reports Are DUE! 5 Steps to Update Your Student’s Progress & Send Reports Home On-Time to Your Special Needs Parents! | 24 Oct 2023 | 00:15:20 | |
Hey Special Ed Teacher, It's the end of the first quarter! That means progress reports are due! So, I am re-releasing episode 21, an oldie but goodie! IEP progress reports are due! Are you wondering how often should IEP progress be reported? What should a student progress report include? Wondering how you prepare a student progress report? Today I share how I prepare for when IEP goal progress reports are due. These steps will give you a quick start to 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:
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| 65. Top 4 IEP Goal Questions Answered! | 17 Oct 2023 | 00:12:36 | |
Hey Sped Teacher, Struggling with interpreting IEP goals? Need a better explanation of how to teach goals according to your student's individualized education plans? After reviewing your special ed classroom's goals, do you have more questions than answers? I'll answer your most asked IEP goal questions in today's episode. If you're like me, you didn't receive much training in creating IEP goals. As special education teachers, we do not like to admit that we still have questions regarding our students with special needs IEPs. I hope to clarify any questions that may be difficult to ask. Take Care, Michelle Resources Mentioned:
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| 64. My 8 Favorite Special Ed Teaching Strategies That I Use for My Students with Learning Disabilities | 10 Oct 2023 | 00:15:58 | |
Hey Special Ed Teacher, Do you need more teaching strategies to use as a special education teacher? What are ways that a teacher can help their students with special needs? Do you need to add more to your list of intervention strategies for sped students? In today’s episode, I’ll share effective teaching strategies that I’ve used in my special ed classroom to meet the needs of our mild to moderate special needs students. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting your journey, these strategies are packed with practical and actionable tips to add to your teaching toolbox. Take Care, Michelle Resources Mentioned: Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
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| 63. Struggling with Organizing Your RSP Schedule? 5 Components You MUST-HAVE When Creating Your Resource Specialist Program Schedule! | 03 Oct 2023 | 00:12:58 | |
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:
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| 62. Inherited a Poorly Written IEP? 4 Steps to Fix That Individualized Education Plan! | 26 Sep 2023 | 00:09:38 | |
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:
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| 61. Inherited an IEP? 5 Signs Your New Student’s Individualized Education Plan Needs Your Attention NOW! | 19 Sep 2023 | 00:10:06 | |
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:
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