95 episodes
STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management Michelle Vazquez, M.A.Ed., Special Education Teacher, Special Ed Teacher, IEP Writer, Special Education Teacher Coach
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- Education
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5.0 • 117 Ratings
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Confused with how to write IEPs (Individualized Education Plans)? Not sure how to keep track of all the data? Tired of searching for the right behavior strategies to manage your special ed. classroom?
In this podcast, you will find methods to create IEP goals that students can reach, a system to collect data with your team, & know which behavior strategies will work best for your classroom. My mission is to help new sped teachers write IEPs with confidence, share ideas for classroom management, & know how to communicate to get the support you need.
If you are ready to finally walk into that IEP meeting feeling ready & know how to support your students to help them reach their full potential, you are in the right place!
Hey, I’m Michelle. A wife, mommy, and special education teacher. For years I struggled with doubting myself with writing IEPs, felt completely scattered with not knowing the right data to collect, & tried so many different behavior strategies that didn’t work for my students; which left me exhausted and no time for my own personal life.
I finally understood how to create IEPs for my student’s individual needs and learned how to collaborate with my paraprofessional, administrators, school psychologists, & parents! If I wanted to help reach my students’ full potential, I needed to equip myself with tools & strategies that will make the biggest impact on student success. And now I am ready to share that with you!
If you are ready to help make a difference with your students, to build a solid relationship & connection with them, & finally get the support and resources you need - this podcast is for you!
So grab that iced coffee, clipboard, and your favorite pen, it is time to get it started!
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/steppingintospecialed
Instagram: www.instagram.com/steppingintospecialed
Connect: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
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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 school and prioritize my life outside of school. If you find yourself struggling to find work-life balance, tune in as I share my tips for getting work done and turning off work mode once your work day is done!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Episode 11. Set up These 4 Simple Organizational Tools as a Special Education Teacher!
Episode 56. Plan the Year with Me! How to Set-up Your Planner as a Special Education Teacher
Check out Plum Paper planners
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Leave a 5 star review
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com -
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 out all the new (and even veteran!) special education teachers, I am sharing the one thing I wish I knew before becoming a special education teacher.
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Leave a 5 star review
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com -
92. 5 Tips on How to Survive the Last Month of the School Year! Special Education Teacher Edition
Hey Special Education Teacher,
Feeling the pressure of the last month of the school year? Wondering how to keep students engaged during the last month of the school year?
We are entering the final stretch of the school year! But this last month of school always seems challenging. Between all the end of year tasks, maintaining student engagement, meetings, and feeling burnt out, the end of the year can be incredibly overwhelming! The good news is that it doesn’t need to be! In this episode, I am sharing 5 tips to help you not only survive, but thrive, during the last month of school!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Leave a 5 star review
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com -
91. How to Collaborate with General Ed Teachers for Our Students with Disabilities
Hey Sped Teacher,
Are you struggling to connect with your gen ed colleagues as a special education teacher? Do you want to collaborate with general ed teachers to better serve your students but aren’t sure where to start?
As our students’ case manager, we are to provide our students with the least restrictive environment. This means that we should be working closely with our general ed teachers to ensure our students with an IEP are getting the opportunity to be in their least restrictive environment. Unfortunately, I know I am not alone when I say I have experienced a fair amount of pushback from general ed teachers. If you’ve been there, be sure to tune in to this episode to hear seven ideas for collaborating with general ed teachers for our students with disabilities.
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Episode 54. Co-teaching Models: 6 Methods Used for Students With or Without Special Needs
Episode 33. 4 Time-Saving Email Hacks You Need NOW as a Busy Special Ed Teacher!
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Leave a 5 star review
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com -
90. Resource Specialist Teacher vs Special Day Class Teacher: What’s the Difference?
Hey Special education Teacher,
Are you considering making a transition from SDC to RSP, or RSP to SDC? Have you wondered what the differences are between these positions?
In my 15 years of experience, I’ve spent 10 years as an SDC teacher before transitioning into my current role as an RSP teacher. I know that knowing and understanding the differences between these roles can be helpful when deciding which position is the best fit for you! So today, I am sharing the 7 biggest differences between the two positions as well as what I personally find to be the pros and cons for each. If you are considering making the transition from one position to the other, this episode is for you!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Leave a 5 star review
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com -
89. Transitional IEPs: What Are They and Quick Tips for Sped Teachers!
Hey Sped Teacher,
Do you have elementary or middle school students transitioning on to their next school? Are you unsure how to prepare for a transitional IEP meeting?
When students are moving from an elementary school to a middle school or a middle school to high school, it is crucial to have transitional IEPs to help with facilitating a smooth transition for your students with special needs. These transitional IEPs don’t need to be overwhelming, though! Whether you will be preparing your first transitional IEPs this year or have done them in the past and are looking for tips, tune in to hear how I ensure my transitional IEPs go smoothly!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Leave a 5 star review
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
Follow on INSTAGRAM!
Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com
Customer Reviews
Episode 74 Data Binders
This is my plug for Michelle, you Go girl, YOU ROCK🪨 I absolutely love all the wonderful tips she shares for special educators to be successful. I have not been able to listen to episodes regularly since the school year began but now that it is January and we are more than halfway through our school year I find that I need the extra encouragement!! In one of her latest episodes, episode 74. One of Michelle’s tips was about organizing data. In this episode, she talks about creating data binders to keep on the shelf next to a three hole punch for her and the paraprofessionals working in her room to utilize as a tool to help collect an organize data. I can’t wait to try it out🤩As a first year Special Education Teacher, I need as much wisdom as I can get to learn how to be the best that I can be at my job. from the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you, Michellle.
Warm, encouraging, and packed with helpful tips!
I absolutely LOVE the way Michelle delivers such helpful, practical tips based on her own real-life experiences and invaluable lessons learned - in such a genuine, caring, grace-filled way. You really sense just her authentic encouragement, and it’s like having a cheerleader or big sister pouring into you as you listen!!
Love it!
I will be a first year special education teacher in less than a month! Listening to this podcast has definitely helped me learn and feel more confident in myself as a teacher. I love the variety of topics and I feel that I learn something from each podcast.
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