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STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management
STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management
This podcast is designed for special education teachers who feel overwhelmed by writing IEPs, managing data, and finding effective behavior strategies. Host Michelle Vazquez shares methods for creating achievable IEP goals, implementing data collection systems, and selecting classroom management techniques. The show aims to help new sped teachers gain confidence in IEP meetings and support their students' success. Michelle draws from her own experiences as a special education teacher to provide practical advice.
Episodes
107. *Special Announcement* 4 Steps to Prep Paraprofessionals, Special Ed Assistants for the Beginning of the School Year
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 o
106. Dyslexia: What Is It & How Special Education Teachers Can Help Struggling Readers with Melanie Brethour
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
105. How to Lessen Stress at the Beginning of the School Year for Sped Teachers With Brittany Blackwell
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 experie
104. Concrete-Representational-Abstract Method: How to Utilize CRA in Math with Students with Special Needs
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
103. Top 10 Most Downloaded Episodes: 2nd Birthday Celebration for the Podcast!
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 overv
102. 6 Top Tips for New Teachers from Our Stepping into Special Education Community Members!
Hey Special education Teacher,
Are you a new special education teacher excited to jump into your very own classroom next year? Have you found yourself hoping you know everything you need to know to be prepared for whatever the year brings?
The truth is, whether you are a new teacher or have been teaching for 15 years like me, you will never know everything and you will always be learning something
101. Need Admin Support? A Principal’s Perspective on How to Collaborate as a Special Ed Team with Dr. Patricia Corral
Hey Sped Teacher,
Have you wondered how to ask your administrators for support? Are you looking for tips on how to build a strong relationship with your admin as a special education teacher?
I am so excited to have a very special guest on today’s episode! We are joined by my principal, Dr. Patricia Corral, who is sharing some incredible insight on building a great special education teacher - admin
100. Reflecting on 100 Episodes! Memories and Lessons Learned with Stepping into Special Education the Podcast
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
We made it to 100 episodes of the Stepping Into Special Education podcast. I cannot believe it! I am beyond excited and so grateful for each and every one of you for tuning in each week!
When I started this podcast, I knew I wanted to provide a resource for special educators who were looking for support, tips, and community. I have truly been blown away by the incredible su
99. Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) Method in Math for Special Education Teachers an Overview
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Are your students finding it difficult to comprehend certain math concepts, despite repeated teaching strategies? Want to learn about evidence-based practices that are proven to help students with learning disabilities excel in math?
To be completely honest, teaching math is not one of my strengths. But I know how crucial it is to be able to provide effective direct
98. Re Release Ep 36. Want Help with Behavior Strategies for Your Students with Special Needs The Top 5 Resources to Get the Behavior Support You NEED
Hey Sped Teacher,
Are you struggling with behavior strategies for your students with special needs? Have you tried everything you can think of and aren’t sure what to try next?
When we are struggling with behavior issues, it can feel like we have to find a solution on our own. But that is absolutely not the truth! We do not need to figure it out alone but we do need to know who to reach out to and
97. End of the Year Wrap-Up: My Special Ed Teacher Journey 2023-2024
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
96. Least Restrictive Environment: The Continuum of Special Education Services
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 d
95. 4 Things I’m Already Planning for Next School Year as a Sped Teacher!
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 yea
94. Want a Work & Home Life Balance? How I Get Work Done and Turn It Off as a Special Ed Teacher!
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 atten
93. The 1 Thing I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Special Ed Teacher!
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 wish
92. 5 Tips on How to Survive the Last Month of the School Year! Special Education Teacher Edition
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
91. How to Collaborate with General Ed Teachers for Our Students with Disabilities
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
90. Resource Specialist Teacher vs Special Day Class Teacher: What’s the Difference?
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 decidi
89. Transitional IEPs: What Are They and Quick Tips for Sped Teachers!
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. The
88. 9 Tips on How to Lessen State Test Anxiety for Students with Special Needs!
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 seein
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 prom
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 year
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 da
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
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
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
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.
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 edu
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 confusi
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 im
77. Time to Collect IEP Meeting Documents? 5 Steps to Begin Gathering What You Need Now as a Special Ed Teacher!
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. Ha
76. Token Boards: 7 Steps to Start Replacing Behaviors with Your Students with Disabilities!
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
75. How to Collaborate and Maintain a Good Relationship with Your Special Needs Parents!
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.
74. My Top 6 Special Ed Classroom Tips to Keep You Organized!
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
73. What I Learned in 2023 as a Special Education Teacher and My Goals for 2024!
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 hones
72. To Work or Not to Work? The Pros & Cons and How I Spend My Winter Break as a Sped Teacher!
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 befor
71. 7 Areas to Declutter in Your Special Education Classroom Before Winter Break!
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,
70. Struggling with Lesson Planning? 5 Must-Haves When Teaching Your Students with Disabilities
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 structur
69. Re-Release Ep 20 “Am I Doing a Good Job?” 4 Questions to Ask Yourself to Feel Validated as a Special Education Teacher!
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
68. Power Struggles with Your Students with Special Needs? DO THIS!
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 s
67. Co-teaching Essentials: My 6 Must-Haves to Support Special Ed Student Success
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 necessit
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!
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 rep
65. Top 4 IEP Goal Questions Answered!
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.
64. My 8 Favorite Special Ed Teaching Strategies That I Use for My Students with Learning Disabilities
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
63. Struggling with Organizing Your RSP Schedule? 5 Components You MUST-HAVE When Creating Your Resource Specialist Program Schedule!
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 studen
62. Inherited a Poorly Written IEP? 4 Steps to Fix That Individualized Education Plan!
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 yo
61. Inherited an IEP? 5 Signs Your New Student’s Individualized Education Plan Needs Your Attention NOW!
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 thei
60. Special Education Service Providers: How to Collaborate & Work Together as an IEP Team!
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
59. Student Relationships: 4 Reasons Why Connecting with Your Students with Special Needs Are NECESSARY!
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
58. Paraprofessional Training 101: 4 Main Areas You Need to Train Classroom Support Staff, Special Ed Assistants, One-On-One Aides
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 s
57. Back to School Special: Best Episodes to Start Up Your Special Education Classroom NOW!
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 fro
56. Plan the Year with Me! How to Set-up Your Planner as a Special Education Teacher
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! Fr
55. Top 10 Most Downloaded Episodes: 1st Birthday Celebration for the Podcast!
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
54. Co-teaching Models: 6 Methods Used for Students with or without Special Needs
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 wo
53. How to Write Meaningful Impact Statements / Present Levels for IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) With Jennifer Hofferber
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Struggling to write present levels in your IEPs (Individualized Education Plans)? Are your impact statements meaningful? Do your present levels give a good picture of your student with special needs?
Jennifer Hofferber is a veteran special educator who has spent an impressive 28 years in the classroom, and currently serves as the Special Education Instructional Coach
52. 5 Things You Can Do NOW to Get Your SPED Class Ready for the New School Year!
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Are you eager to start getting ready for the new school year? Want a head start in prepping for your special ed classroom? Can’t wait to step foot inside your own classroom?
In today’s episode, you’ll learn 5 things you can do NOW during the summer to get your SPED classroom ready for the new school year! I’ll share what tool you need to plan the year. I’ll give you
51. Use Your Time off Wisely! How to Make the Most of Your Summer as a Special Education Teacher!
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
What are your summer plans? Do you have professional development (PD) training lined up? Will you be binge-watching your favorite Netflix shows? Do you have a plan of how to spend your time off?
In today’s episode, I share my personal experience and seven steps to ensure you have a fulfilling and rejuvenating summer break. The most valuable lesson? Being intentional with yo
50. How to Handle Challenging Behavior from Students with Special Needs with Dr. Christine Reeve
Hey Special Education Teacher,
How do you manage behaviors in your special ed classroom? What about handling challenging behaviors from your students with disabilities? Wondering how to get your team on board with the behavior support plan or behavior intervention plan?
In today’s episode, we have a special guest, Dr. Christine Reeve. From running Autism Classroom Resources and the Special Educato
49. End of the Year Wrap-Up: My Special Ed Teacher Journey 2022-2023
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
It is the end of the school year! But, before we ride into the summer sunset, have you done any reflection on the past year? Contemplated on what went right and what areas you need to improve on?
In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing how important it is to reflect on the past school year as a special education teacher. This will help you realize what wins to celebrate and wha
48. Want Materials & Resources at Your Fingertips? 4 Ideas to Grab What You Need NOW in Your Special Education Classroom!
Resources Mentioned:
Submit your behavior questions! Record it here NOW!
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 2 - 6 Tips to Set Up Your Special Education Classroom Environment
Get your Educate & Rejuvenate Live Virtual Conference tickets HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Download y
47. Don’t Have Time as a Sped Teacher? Do this ONE THING Instead!
Resources Mentioned:
Get your Educate & Rejuvenate Live Virtual Conference tickets HERE!
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less By: Greg McKeown
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
46. How to Survive the Last Weeks of the School Year: Special Ed Edition
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Are you struggling to keep your students engaged during the last weeks of the school year? If so, you're in luck! On this week's episode of "Stepping into Special Education", I share tips and ideas to help you survive the end of the school year in special education.
I know how challenging it can be to keep students motivated during this time. That's why I offer practical ad
45. IEP Progress Reports: Why Do We Do Them?
Hey Special Education Teacher,
What are IEP (Individualized Education Plan) progress reports? Are IEP progress reports important in school? When are these reports due?
In today’s episode, I share the main reasons why we do IEP progress reports. Whether it may be the end of the year or the next reporting period, it is critical to update on our student’s IEP goals. As special education teachers it i
44. Top 5 Reasons for a Transitional IEP, Transition IEP (Individualized Education Plan)!
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
What happens when your students with disabilities transition from elementary to middle school? Does any more paperwork need to be done? Is another IEP (Individualized Education Plan) needed for your students with special needs at the end of the school year?
In today’s episode, I identify the top five reasons for having a transitional IEP or transition IEP meeting. It is cru
43. Struggling to Connect with Your Diverse Students? 3 Ways to Create Community in Your Special Education Classroom with Jocelynn Hubbard
Hey SPED Teacher,
Do you have students that come from different cultural backgrounds and experiences? Are you a special educator that needs help with relating to your students? Are you having trouble connecting with your diverse students with special needs?
In today’s episode, I have educator, speaker, professional development creator, and facilitator Jocelynn Hubbard. She is the founder and mana
42. 5 Must-Dos before the Ending of the School Year for Special Ed Teachers!
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Are you a special education teacher feeling overwhelmed with the end of the school year approaching? I have some great news for you! In this week's episode, I discuss five must-dos for special education teachers before the end of the school year.
As a former sped teacher, I know how stressful the end of the school year can be. I remember having to stay on campus for weeks a
41. 6 Steps to Get That Special Education Position You Want!
Hey SPED Teacher,
Are you wondering how to apply for a special education teacher position? Thinking about making a change in your special ed career? Wondering what special education teacher jobs are out there?
In today’s episode, I will be sharing 6 steps to Get That Special Education Position You want! Whether you’re wanting your first teaching position or looking for a career change, you need to
Re-Release 3: (Ep. 40) 5 Tips to Work Best with Your Paraprofessional, Instructional Assistant, Teacher Aide, Class Aide
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
In celebration of the 40th episode, I am re-releasing episode 3, an oldie but goodie!
Are you not sure how to work with your paraprofessional? Do 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,
39. Have Anxiety about All Things Special Ed? 6 Ways to Lessen Your Stress as a Special Education Teacher!
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Are you feeling anxious about all things special education? Do you stress about the different responsibilities you have? Do you worry thinking if you’re doing the right thing?
In today’s episode, I will be sharing 6 ideas of what you can do to lessen your stress. Special education is hard! It is not all sunshine and rainbows. We will have our great, amazing days and
38. School Counseling Strategies to Help Students in Special Education with Rachel Davis
Hey Sped Teacher,
Have you collaborated with your school counselor? Do you know how they can help special needs students? What kind of resources can school counselors provide?
In today’s episode, I have school counselor and curriculum designer behind Bright Futures Counseling, Rachel Davis. We talk all about the important role that school counselors have and what resources they have to offer. She
37. Low on Resources & Materials for Your Special Ed Classroom? 10 Tips to Get the Supplies That You Need as a Special Ed Teacher!
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Are you running low on school supplies for your special needs students? Are you wondering where can you get free supplies? How can you find other teacher resources?
In today’s episode, I will be sharing 10 tips on where you can get the school materials you need for your special ed class. Low supplies in classrooms located in low-socioeconomic areas are a sad reality for edu
36. Want Help with Behavior Strategies for Your Students with Special Needs? The Top 5 Resources to Get the Behavior Support You NEED!
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Are you wondering how to deal with the challenging behavior of your students with disabilities? What strategies would you use to support students with behavioral needs? Have you tried everything and do not know what to do next?
In today’s episode, I will be sharing the top resources to go to when you are in desperate need of help with behavior issues from your students with
35. IEP Season Is HERE! How to Prep for the Busiest Time of the Year!
Hey Special Education Teacher,
IEP season is HERE! Are you ready for this busy time of year? Do you know how to stay organized with your IEPs? Do you want to end the school year on time with no more paperwork to finish?
In today’s episode, I will be sharing tips to prep for the busiest time of the year! We want to be aware of our time so we know when to work on IEP paperwork. You will learn ways t
34. Feel like You’re Not Doing Enough for Your Students with Special Needs? 7 Signs to Know That You ARE Doing Your Best as a SPED Teacher!
Hey SpEd Teachers,
Are you feeling like you’re not doing enough for your special needs students? Do you ask yourself, “Am I doing my best as a special education teacher?” Are you wondering if anyone is even noticing all your hard work?
In today’s episode, I will be sharing 7 signs that you ARE doing your best as a special ed teacher! As educators, we have our good days and our bad, and it can be a
33. 4 Time-Saving Email Hacks You Need NOW as a Busy Special Ed Teacher!
Hey Special Ed Teachers,
How can you save time as a busy teacher with your emails? How do you manage time efficiently with emails? Did you forget to respond to that important email, again?
In today’s episode, I will be sharing time-saving email hacks you can use NOW as a busy special education teacher! Our main focus is our students when we’re in the classroom, but email communication is a part o
32. IEP 101: Part 3 Understanding the Pages of an IEP
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Are you new to the profession or have a few years in and need a refresher on what an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) is? Also, why is an IEP important? What are the components of an IEP?
This episode is wrapping up the last of a 3 part series, all about understanding the pages of an IEP. I go over the last common pages and the IEP pages that are used when needed
31. Confused with Starting Small Groups? 4 Types of Assessments You Need to Do FIRST with Your Students with Disabilities!
Hey Special Educators,
Are you wondering what small group instruction in special education looks like? How do you separate students into small groups? How do you assess special needs students?
In today’s episode, I will be sharing what assessments need to be done FIRST before creating your small group instruction! With so many different ways, I will give you a step-by-step format to get the inform
30. IEP 101: Part 2 Understanding the Pages of an IEP
Hey Special Ed Teacher,
How many pages are in an IEP (Individualized Education Plan)? What are the contents of an IEP? What are the main components of this legal document for our students with special needs?
This episode is part 2 of a 3-part series all about understanding the pages of an IEP. This document is overwhelming. So, I share what is contained in an IEP in a step-by-step format to finall
29. 5 Steps to Handling a Special Education Student’s Physical or Aggressive Behavior IN THE MOMENT!
Hey SPED Teacher,
How do you handle physical or aggressive behavior with special needs students? What strategies can be used when dealing with aggressive behaviors in your special education classroom? Why do students exhibit aggression in the first place?
In today’s episode, I will be sharing steps to what you can do IN THE MOMENT when a physical and/or aggressive behavior is occurring. Knowing wh
28. IEP 101: Part 1 Understanding the Pages of an IEP
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Need to know the components of an IEP (Individualized Education Plan)? What main parts of an IEP are the most important? Are you searching for IEP training for teachers?
This episode will be part 1 of 3 in understanding the pages of an IEP. You will learn the basics of what is included on each page of this document. An IEP is overwhelming & I do not want you to go t
