Hey Sped Teacher, How was your 2023 year? Did you learn any new lessons personally and/or professionally? Any upcoming goals you’d like to accomplish for the next 2024 year? In today’s episode, I’ll be getting personal and sharing the hard lessons I learned in 2023 and some new goals I foresee this upcoming year! Reflecting on a not-easy year can be difficult, but it’s freeing to be open and honest and understand how to better ourselves so it doesn’t happen again. We can all start this new...

Hey Special Ed Teacher, It’s almost time for winter break! Do you have a plan for how you are spending your vacation? Will it be all about rest time? Or will you be catching up on work? Today, I share the pros and cons of working during your break and what I do during my vacation time! When our winter break finally arrives, all we want to do is….NOTHING!! But before you know it, it’s the day before returning, and we’re in panic mode, scrambling to finish work tasks! It’s time to plan your...

Hey Sped Teacher, Is your classroom environment feeling overwhelming? Want to feel more organized after winter break? Don’t know what areas to start clearing? Today, I share 7 areas to begin decluttering your special education classroom! We are so busy teaching and writing IEPs that we sometimes let our classrooms go. Let’s start the new year with a clear classroom and a refreshed mind! Take Care, Michelle Connect with Michelle Vazquez: Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE! Join the...

Hey Special Education Teacher, Struggling with lesson planning? How do you begin teaching your students with special needs? What does your aide do during instruction? Today, I share 5 must-haves when planning lessons for your special ed classroom! As special education teachers, unfortunately, we do not get the training and support we need right away. This episode gives you a head start to structure your lesson plans quickly! Take Care, Michelle Resources mentioned: Download your FREE IEP...

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...

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...

Hey 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...

Hey Special Ed Teacher, It's the end of the first quarter! That means progress reports are due! So, I am re-releasing episode 21, an oldie but goodie! IEP progress reports are due! Are you wondering how often should IEP progress be reported? What should a student progress report include? Wondering how you prepare a student progress report? Today I share how I prepare for when IEP goal progress reports are due. These steps will give you a quick start to enjoy your Winter Break faster! Do not...

Hey Sped Teacher, Struggling with interpreting IEP goals? Need a better explanation of how to teach goals according to your student's individualized education plans? After reviewing your special ed classroom's goals, do you have more questions than answers? I'll answer your most asked IEP goal questions in today's episode. If you're like me, you didn't receive much training in creating IEP goals. As special education teachers, we do not like to admit that we still have questions regarding our...

Hey 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...

Hey Special Education Teacher, If you’re a Resource Specialist Teacher, do you struggle with your schedule? Can’t find the right time to service your students with disabilities? Never have enough time to do your academic testing?  In today’s episode, I’ll share the MUST-HAVE components you need to create your RSP teacher schedule! Organizing your schedule so it complies with your special ed student’s IEP is not a choice. It’s a must! But scheduling around so many activities, recesses,...

Hey Sped Teacher, What do you do when you’ve inherited a poorly written IEP? Do you know who to contact about fixing this document for your new student with disabilities? What steps do you take to get their individualized education plan adjusted? In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to fix your student with special needs’ education plan! It is frustrating when you find those errors in IEPs that you have concerns with. Yes, you’ve inherited a new IEP, but you’ve inherited a brand new student...

Hey Special Education Teacher, What do you do when you receive a new student’s IEP? How do you know it’s well-written? After reviewing the document, do you know what clues inform you that the IEP has any red flags?  In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing the 5 signs that your new student’s IEP needs your attention NOW! When that new student walks into your classroom, you’ll automatically receive their new IEP from their last school or district. Some IEPs are very well-written, and some…..not so...

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...

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...

Hey 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....

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...

Hey Special Ed Teacher, Have you set up your teacher planner? What do you include in your planner as a special education teacher? Do you have a system that you use to keep on track with your personal and work life? In today’s episode, I share my own step-by-step way of how I organize the planner that I use for the new school year! Getting your planner set up will make the year so much smoother! From planning your IEP meeting dates to not missing your next doctor appointment, this system will...

Hey Special Education Teacher, Happy 1st Birthday to the Stepping Into Special Education Podcast! I can’t believe it has been a full year since the show was released back on July 26th, 2022!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for listening to the podcast on your earbuds and in your car stereo! I started this all because of you! In hopes to help you alongside your special education journey! In today’s episode, I will be sharing the TOP 10 most downloaded episodes! This will help guide you with...

Hey 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...

Hey Special Education Teacher, Struggling to write present levels in your IEPs (Individualized Education Plans)? Are your impact statements meaningful? Do your present levels give a good picture of your student with special needs? Jennifer Hofferber is a veteran special educator who has spent an impressive 28 years in the classroom, and currently serves as the Special Education Instructional Coach for her district. She is the founder of the Sped Prep Academy which provides courses and a...

Hey Special Education Teacher, Are you eager to start getting ready for the new school year? Want a head start in prepping for your special ed classroom? Can’t wait to step foot inside your own classroom? In today’s episode, you’ll learn 5 things you can do NOW during the summer to get your SPED classroom ready for the new school year! I’ll share what tool you need to plan the year. I’ll give you ideas of what items you need to brainstorm that are necessary for you and your students. Also,...

Hey Special Ed Teacher, What are your summer plans? Do you have professional development (PD) training lined up? Will you be binge-watching your favorite Netflix shows? Do you have a plan of how to spend your time off? In today’s episode, I share my personal experience and seven steps to ensure you have a fulfilling and rejuvenating summer break. The most valuable lesson? Being intentional with your time off. I will emphasize the importance of planning, resting, and finding a balance between...

Hey 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...

Hey 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 and...