Welcome to the July segment of Ask Us Anything! In these fun episodes of the Special Education for Beginners podcast, Jennifer and her monthly co-host, Paul, answer the questions you ask. This episode is packed with practical wisdom and tips to help you handle the challenges of the special education classroom.
Today's Questions:
- Katie from Florida: "I am a brand new teacher starting this fall in a resource classroom, but I also will have some students who have higher needs and are with me a lot of time during the day. What resources or materials do you recommend for a new teacher in this situation?"
- Angie from Texas: "How can I best utilize my paraprofessionals?"
Talking Points:
- Resources for New Teachers:
- Importance of Seeking Support:
- Jennifer shares her initial experiences as a new teacher and emphasizes the importance of seeking support.
- Utilizing podcasts, social media, and veteran teachers for guidance.
- Scheduling and Grouping:
- Paul's top recommendation: Invest time in creating effective schedules.
- Collaborating with special education staff for optimal scheduling.
- Visual Schedules and Behavior Management:
- Creating visual schedules based on students' Individual Educational Plans (IEPs).
- Implementing a behavior management system that is simple and sustainable.
- Data Tracking Tools:
- Using data tracking notebooks or spreadsheets for goal tracking and progress monitoring.
- Sensory Items:
- Preparing a variety of sensory tools and fidgets tailored to individual student needs.
- Jennifer's Paraprofessional Handbook:
- Jennifer discusses the handbook she created when she was struggling in this area which provides for effective paraprofessional management.
- Maximizing the Potential of Paraprofessionals:
- Use a Para Interest Inventory
- Practical Ways to Utilize Paraprofessionals
- Supporting and Appreciating Paraprofessionals
- Communication and Prep:
Resources Mentioned:
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