Michelle Vazquez | Special Education Teacher

Shows

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 107. *Special Announcement* 4 Steps to Prep Paraprofessionals, Special Ed Assistants for the Beginning of the School YearHey 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 fe...

2024-08-2018 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 106. Dyslexia: What Is It & How Special Education Teachers Can Help Struggling Readers with Melanie BrethourHey 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 yo...

2024-08-1338 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 104. Concrete-Representational-Abstract Method: How to Utilize CRA in Math with Students with Special NeedsHey 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,...

2024-07-3009 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 new. I thought it would be so valuable if some of the veteran teachers in our private Facebook community offered some of their best advice...

2024-07-1615 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 101. Need Admin Support? A Principal’s Perspective on How to Collaborate as a Special Ed Team with Dr. Patricia CorralHey 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 relationship and how special ed teachers can work collaboratively with their administration. If you are looking to have your admin more actively involved in sp...

2024-07-0934 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 100. Reflecting on 100 Episodes! Memories and Lessons Learned with Stepping into Special Education the PodcastHey 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 support I have received and the amazing community that has been built around this podcast. I am so grateful and truly blessed! Join...

2024-07-0218 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 attention they deserved and I needed to figure out how to get my work done at...

2024-05-2117 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 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 ou...

2024-05-1411 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 seeing them look to you with overwhelm in their eyes when the tests begins is even worse! The good news is there are some...

2024-04-0918 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 80. Are You Returning Next School Year? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Leaving Your Special Ed Teaching PositionHey 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...

2024-02-1313 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 79. Which Teaching Credential or License Is Right for You? 5 Types of Special Education Specialty AreasHey 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...

2024-02-0614 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 78. Don’t Do These 5 Things with Parents of Special Needs StudentsHey 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 bei...

2024-01-3013 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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. Having everything collected and ready ahead of time helps the meeting go smoothly and takes away the stress of gath...

2024-01-2312 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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. 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...

2024-01-0912 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 (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 c...

2024-01-0212 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 to get that validation you need as a special education teacher! These questions will help you look more at the po...

2023-11-2120 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 steps to take to get there. This will motivate your students to try their best and build their self-esteem. And it all comes do...

2023-11-1414 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 67. Co-teaching Essentials: My 6 Must-Haves to Support Special Ed Student SuccessHey 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: Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY! EP 54 - Co-teaching Mod...

2023-11-0713 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 64. My 8 Favorite Special Ed Teaching Strategies That I Use for My Students with Learning DisabilitiesHey 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...

2023-10-1015 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 many benefits to working together. But the most important one is that your student will get closer to reaching their IEP goals when the team can communicate and work as a unit! ...

2023-09-1214 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 forget about the benefits of building relationships with our students first! Listen in as I explain the importance of relationships over rigor! Take Care, Michelle Resources Ment...

2023-09-0514 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 58. Paraprofessional Training 101: 4 Main Areas You Need to Train Classroom Support Staff, Special Ed Assistants, One-On-One AidesHey Special Education Teacher, Wondering how to train paraprofessionals in your special ed classroom? How do you manage special education assistants in your class? What do you teach classroom assistants to support students with special needs? In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing the 4 areas you NEED to train your sped instructional assistants or classroom support staff in! At the beginning of the school year or getting a new hire does not leave a lot of time to train your teacher assistants. These main areas will quickly get your classroom in order for a succ...

2023-08-3011 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 from these 8 episodes! So let’s get this year started right! Take Care, Michelle Resources Ment...

2023-08-1515 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 54. Co-teaching Models: 6 Methods Used for Students with or without Special NeedsHey Special Education Teacher, What are co-teaching models in special education? What are the different types of co-teaching? Wondering what are your roles and responsibilities as a co-teacher? In today’s episode, you’ll get an overview of the 6 co-teaching models used for both students with special needs and without special needs. You’ll get a better understanding of how to be a co-teacher and work with your general education teacher the right way. This will prepare you for what to expect when you co-teach for the first time this year! Take Care, ...

2023-07-1816 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 50. How to Handle Challenging Behavior from Students with Special Needs with Dr. Christine ReeveHey 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 Educator Academy to creating teacher resources on TeachersPayTeachers, her driving goal has always been about bringing special educators together and helping them serve their students in the best ways they can. With a doctorate in...

2023-06-2045 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 49. End of the Year Wrap-Up: My Special Ed Teacher Journey 2022-2023Hey 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 what we still need to work on, to improve our teaching practice for years to come. Let’s be open a...

2023-06-1619 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 46. How to Survive the Last Weeks of the School Year: Special Ed EditionHey 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 advice on how to help keep your students engaged and motivated until the very end. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure of how...

2023-05-2309 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 after the last day of school due to unfinished paperwork. That's why I want to share my personal experience and provide some helpful...

2023-04-2510 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 be prepared before going into that interview room. Take Care, Michelle In this episode you’ll learn: What steps you need to...

2023-04-1815 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 we will have difficult, hard days. Please do not feel like you need to do this alone! There are ways and people that can help guide...

2023-04-0415 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 educators. This is why teachers are the most creative people I know since they work with what they have. But there are ways to get the re...

2023-03-2114 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 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 struggle to find those little moments of feeling like you’re doing enough. Today you will know where to l...

2023-02-2817 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 27. Need a RESET in Managing Classroom Behavior? 7 Ideas to Get Your Special Ed Classroom Back in Order Again!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 an...

2023-01-1020 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 25. 3 Things I Learned as a Special Education Teacher in 2022 + 3 Goals for 2023!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...

2022-12-2714 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 20. “Am I Doing a Good Job?” 4 Questions to Ask Yourself to Feel Validated as a Special Education Teacher!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...

2022-11-2219 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 17. 6 Steps to Lesson Plan For Your Small Group Instruction in Special EducationHey SpEd Teacher, Are you wondering how lessons are implemented for small group instruction for students with disabilities? Need small group lesson ideas for your mild/moderate special education classroom? What are the best strategies for small group instruction? Today I share 6 steps to lesson plan for your small group instruction! As special education teachers, we are always needing various ideas on how to teach our lessons. We need to think on our toes about adding accommodations and modifications to the lessons for our students to access the curriculum. Small group instruction is necessary for o...

2022-11-0116 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 15. Is Your SPED Class Schedule Ready for the School Year? 7 Steps with How to Plan and Structure Your Daily Schedule as a Special Day Class Teacher (SDC)!Hey Special Education Teacher, Is your SPED class schedule ready for the school year? Do you know where to start? Do you know how much time to give for small groups? What about Speech services, how does that fit in? Today I share 7 steps with how to plan and structure your daily class schedule as a special day teacher. Updating our class schedule doesn’t only happen at the beginning of the school year, but can constantly change throughout the year. This plan will give you the foundation of where to start and consider while cr...

2022-10-1814 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 14. Are You Feeling Alone in Your Special Education Journey? 4 Places to Make Connections & Build Relationships to Get That Special Ed Support You Need!Hey Special Ed Teacher, Do you often feel alone when it comes to being the special education teacher on campus? Do you know where to get special ed support? Do you feel like you’re on an island all by yourself? Today I share that you don’t need to be alone going through this sped journey. You’ll learn of 4 places you can make connections and build relationships to get that special ed support YOU need! After the pandemic, we need to build a community for ourselves more than ever! With the transition of our ne...

2022-10-1111 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 13. IEP 101: What Is an IEP? How an Individualized Education Plan Is Used in Special Education!Hey Special Ed Teacher, Did you go to school for special education, but still confused with what an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) is actually for? Do you know the different uses of how to use an IEP in special education? What important information does an individualized education plan contain to the student’s educational life? Today you will learn an overview of what significant information can be found in an IEP. I share the different uses with how you can use this document in your special ed and general education classrooms. This episode will give yo...

2022-10-0413 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 12. Student Paperwork Stressing You Out? 4 Easy Classroom Systems to Organize All That Paperwork and Data for Your Students with Special Needs!Hey Special Education Teacher, Do you have piles of student paperwork everywhere? Are you struggling to organize your student data? Stressing to find a student paperwork system that works? Today I share 4 easy classroom systems to organize all that student paperwork! I give you tips on how to keep your student data. I share systems that are easy to remember. These systems are functional and will work for you and your special ed assistant, which will make your school year flow smoother. Take Care, Michelle In this episode you’ll...

2022-09-2712 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 11. Set up These 4 Simple Organizational Tools as a Special Education Teacher!Hey Special Ed Teacher, Do you know which tools will keep you organized as a teacher? Are you tired of searching Pinterest for the prettiest organizational setup? Are you frustrated using up all of your ink, printing pages for the latest digital planner? Today I share 4 simple organizational tools for a special education teacher that you need to set up now! With all that paperwork and dates to remember, the systems I will be sharing are functional and will work for you. Take Care, Michelle In this episode you’ll...

2022-09-2011 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 10. 4 Fun Back to School Activities for Special Education Elementary TeachersHey Sped Teacher, Are you unsure of what activities to plan for back to school? Stressing over which lessons will be the most impactful for that first day back? Should you jump right into academics? Today I share 4 fun back-to-school activities for special education elementary teachers that are not only fun but also necessary to establish routines and structure for you and your students. There are so many different activities, special ed lessons, and ideas that you can search for. But these 4 activities will give you the foundation you need to build the flow for...

2022-09-1313 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 07. The Parent Perspective: How to Best Support Our Special Needs Parents!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...

2022-08-2334 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 06. 6 Ways to Create a Great Parent-Teacher Relationship Right from the Beginning to Support Your Special Need Students!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...

2022-08-1614 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 05. Special Education Classroom Environment: 6 Essential Items That Need to Go Up on Your Classroom Walls as a TeacherHey 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...

2022-08-0912 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 04. Top 3 Reasons for Self-Growth: Why Special Education Teachers Should Never Stop Learning!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: As educators we do...

2022-08-0208 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 03. 5 Tips to Work Best with Your Paraprofessional, Special Ed Aide, Special Education Classroom AssistantHi 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 Jack...

2022-07-2631 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 02. 6 Tips to Set Up Your Special Education Classroom EnvironmentHey 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: How to quickly set up...

2022-07-2608 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management 01. My Special Education Journey and Why I Wanted to Start This Podcast!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. ...

2022-07-2612 min

STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management Welcome to the Stepping Into Special Education Podcast!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...

2022-07-1602 min