Learn Your Special Education Laws, Special Education Rights, and Share IEP Goal Ideas

Recently, in one of my classes, we had a debate regarding the importance of data collection in the classroom.  Everyone had varying opinions on the importance of data, but one of my classmates was adamant in her stance:

I’m totally against taking data. I don’t see the point. It’s too time consuming and it’s time better spent with my students. I know if my kids are doing better or if they need help. I don’t need data to tell me this.

I should start by saying (in case this teacher is reading this) that I have a lot of respect her.  She works with a tough population, is passionate about her work, and isn’t afraid to express her opinions. Read the rest of this entry →

Five little words, made up of only sixteen letters that every parent has uttered at one point or another if their child has an IEP.  Who we said it to isn’t as important as the fact that we have all said it.  I have written in the past about my Top Ten Special Education Pet Peeves and the Top Ten Most Ridiculous Comments I Ever Heard at an IEP but it’s time to discuss a new topic.  Below are the top responses heard after I uttered the words, “but it’s in their IEP.”  Read the rest of this entry →

Today in the Inspirational Teacher Series we profile Tim Villegas. Tim is one of my twitter friends and has written a guest post for Special Education in the Past entitled, “Fear Factor: Getting over the biggest obstacle to inclusion.”  He is a huge advocate for inclusion and was one of the first people I thought about when we started this series.

1. What is your name?

Tim Villegas

2. What is your education level and credentials?

I graduated with a BA in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and did my credential work at Cal State University Fullerton in Moderate/Severe Disabilities

3. What would you like a one-sentence description of yourself to say?

Tim loves his family, his job and his obsessions (sports/music/cooking/gardening) and does his best to love people the way God loves us. Read the rest of this entry →

Today in the Inspirational Teacher Series we profile Sarah Stine.  Sarah has been teaching since 2008 in a private independent special needs school.  I hope you enjoy her profile.

1. What is your name?

Sarah Stine

2. What is your education level and credentials?

Masters level teacher with a Degree in Early Childhood Education, Reading Specialist Endorsement

3. What would you like a one-sentence description of yourself to say?

Children should have access to an education that is tailored to their individual needs- No Matter What! Read the rest of this entry →

Today in the Inspirational Teacher Series we profile Amanda Thompson.  Amanda has been teaching for 3 years and specializes in working with children who are blind or vision impaired.  I hope you enjoy her profile.

1. What is your name?

Amanda Thompson 

2. What is your education level and credentials?

I have my Master’s of Education in Special Education, focusing on visual impairments and students who access the general education curriculum.  Read the rest of this entry →

Today in the Inspirational Teacher Series we profile Erica Donaldson.  Erica has been teaching for 15 years and uses a hands on approach to Teaching.  I hope you enjoy her profile.

1. What is your name?

Erika Donaldson

2. What is your education level and credentials?

Bach of Teaching (Infants/Primary, inc Special Education), Bach Education (Qualifying to Year 10 mainstream SEP to Year 12) Read the rest of this entry →

Many schools use Data Collection when they are monitoring a child’s behavior. It helps them track the appropriate and inappropriate behavior of a student. The data will show patterns as to when and what triggers a specific type of behavior. In order to have a complete picture of a student with behavioral problems, data collection is essential during both structured and non-structured time. Therefore, when a behavioral goal is written, be as specific as possible when discussing how data will be collected. Read the rest of this entry →

We have started a weekly feature on Special Education Advisor called the “Inspirational Teacher Series“. Our goal is to help SEA readers understand the hard work and dedication educators put forth every day. We also want to highlight the positive experiences of educating our students with a disability.

Today is our very first installment of the Inspirational Teacher Series and I couldn’t think of a better person to start with than inclusion specialist, Nicole Eredics. Read the rest of this entry →

When I joined Twitter in July of 2010 and started searching for people to follow the first group of people I found were special educators.    I quickly learned that they were part of a weekly tweet chat called #SpEdchat.  For those of you unfamiliar with Twitter and Tweet Chats About.com defines it as: Read the rest of this entry →