Special Education Tips & Inspiration

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 I was recently looking through my Google Drive folder's from when I got my special education endorsement and thought I'd share a Padlet full of tips & words of wisdom for those thinking of entering special education this fall. 

Special Education Padlet Link

Google Slide of Resources

As I was looking through the Padlet- I feel like the advise/stories hit different now that I'm 2 years into my special-educator journey. Here are some thoughts about special education as I wind up this school year and reflect on the past:

  • When people say that special education is both extremely challenging and rewarding at the same time its so true! The highs of helping a student with behavior problems make progress or a kid with dyslexia learning to read is so amazing, but the challenges of getting to that point are also exhausting. 
  • Special education is something that you need to experience and do hands on to really understand it. Teaching in general is a very learn on the job career. I think all teachers should do more learning about how to work with students with disabilities to better understand the SPED team role. 
  • I have a built up a vast tool box of teaching and behavior management strategies that I would have never learned if I didn't teach special education. 
  • Special education law is complex. There are so many pieces and the ways schools work with families / students with disabilities has dramatically changed in the past 10 years.
  • All kids have really wonderful strengths about them. Even the most impacted students have things/people they love, areas they shine in, and potential to grow into wonderful adults.  
As you look at my graduate school assignment and the reflections - remember that in the midst of anything it seems hard, but it gets better when you are on the other side.



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