How To Write Effective IEPs That Support Student Needs
Writing effective, individualized IEPs is essential to supporting the success of students with disabilities. By focusing on measurable goals, appropriate accommodations, and ongoing collaboration, educators can ensure that each IEP is a tailored roadmap to help the student achieve their full potential
5 Most Common Daily Distractions for Teacher Leaders
Distractions can occur in every aspect of your daily life—both personal and professional. From phone calls to emails to texts to meetings, these unexpected interruptions can significantly impact your productivity as a teacher leader.
Why Effective Productivity for Teacher Leaders!
As teacher leaders, We often assume that being productive requires enormous effort. However, effective productivity makes balancing all your tasks more manageable, not harder.
5 Habits of Highly Productive Teacher Leaders
The most productive teacher leaders have three essential things in common: they're organized, set goals, and stay focused. However, there are other habits that these high-achieving leaders share that you may have yet to consider. Keep reading to learn about five of the best habits to help you improve your productivity and goals along your teacher-leader journey.
What is an IEP? A Comprehensive Guide
Have you ever wondered what an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is, how it supports your child, and how you can advocate more vigorously for your son or daughter? This guide is your starting point for understanding the essential components of an IEP as you prep for your first or millionth IEP meeting.
Building Strong Partnerships Between Teachers and Families: A Key to Student Success
Building strong partnerships between teachers and families is not just beneficial; it's essential for student success. By fostering open communication, encouraging active participation, respecting each other’s roles, and collaborating on problem-solving, we create a supportive environment that allows students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Six Strategies for Building and Maintaining A Trauma-Informed Classroom
This blog post explores six effective strategies for building and maintaining a trauma-informed classroom. Nicolette Lesniak provides practical examples of how these strategies are implemented in my classroom and guiding questions to support you in implementing them in your classroom to create a space of healing and growth.
Supporting Trauma-Informed Care in Our Classrooms
Trauma in special education requires teachers to look beyond the surface and understand that students' behaviors and reactions may be rooted in more profound experiences than we can't see. The students in our classrooms who are “acting out” might be struggling with learning challenges compounded with their traumatic experiences, making the learning environment both a potential place of refuge and a minefield of triggers.
Understanding Behavior As Communication
As a special education teacher, I know that we are aware that behavior is a form of communication, and constantly saying that behavior is communication and not giving tangible steps to support others when dealing with negative behaviors can be frustrating at times.
There is a difference between a behavior in your classroom where a student is easily redirected a couple of times, and extinguishing a negative behavior.
Managing Classroom Disruptions and Meltdowns
In the dynamic environment of our classrooms, managing disruptions and meltdowns are a crucial aspect of ensuring a conducive learning atmosphere for everyone entering your classroom. This blog delves into the challenges faced in many special education classrooms, who have students with a multitude of needs and provides insightful strategies to proactively address and prevent classroom disruptions
Embracing February with Resilience
As we step further into the heart of February, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the unwavering dedication you bring to your classrooms each and every day. Being a special education teacher is no small feat, and I recognize the immense challenges that come with it. The demands can often feel overwhelming, and the sheer volume of tasks may make it easy to feel weighed down.
Unlocking Success: The Role of an IEP Coach in Transforming Education
With a passion for reshaping the landscape of special education, Nicolette Lesniak stands as a seasoned and dedicated IEP Coach. Bringing a wealth of experience and insight to the educational arena, Nicolette Lesniak is committed to not only offering strategic classroom solutions but also establishing collaborative partnerships that transcend traditional boundaries.
Igniting Brilliance: STEM Education For ALL
In the pulsating rhythm of STEM education, students with intensive needs find their beat—the beat of excitement, discovery, and triumph. This exhilarating journey is more than an education; it's a celebration of uniqueness, a dance of enthusiasm, and a testament to the limitless potential within each student.
Finding Balance: A Guide to Home and Work Harmony
The holiday season is upon us, and while the festive cheer is contagious, every educator knows that the weeks leading up to a break can be a challenging juggling act. Striking the right balance between work and home life becomes an elusive goal as lesson plans, grading, and holiday preparations compete for our attention.
From the Honeymoon Period to Building Resilience and Compassion in the Classroom
Every teacher knows that feeling when the school year starts, and there's a sense of excitement and enthusiasm in the air. Students are well-behaved, eager to learn, and it seems like everything is going smoothly. However, as time goes on, the novelty wears off, and the true behaviors of students begin to emerge. It's during this transition that the challenges and opportunities of creating a trauma-sensitive classroom come to the forefront.
The Power of Documentation In Classrooms
Being a special education teacher is a dynamic and ever-evolving profession, requiring us to adapt to diverse student needs, changing curricula, and emerging educational trends. Amid this complexity, the practice of documentation may sometimes be overlooked or undervalued. However, in our classrooms with many diverse needs, keeping records of your activities, interactions, and student progress is crucial.
Becoming The Best Advocate Your Students Need
As an educator, one of your most crucial roles is to advocate for your students. Advocacy involves speaking up, taking action, and ensuring that each and every student receives the support and resources they need to thrive academically and personally.
Case Management 101, Part 2
Did you know that each school district does not do case management the same way? Yes, they follow legislation by IDEA but their processes of who is responsible for what actions are different.
Paraprofessional Superheroes: How to Maximize Their Impact
One of the most important steps in maximizing the impact of paraprofessionals in your classroom is clarifying their roles and expectations from the outset. This can help avoid any misunderstandings or confusion later.
Special Education Case Management 101
No one really talks about case management, we all talk about the fun things about teaching from decorating our classrooms to finding those fun and exciting resources to enhance student learning. This is the first article of a blog series about setting yourself up for success for your case management and teaching duties throughout the school year.