The Blog - Check in with Mrs G

Goal Setting with Students

Goal setting with students is so powerful! There are few skills as universal and empowering for students as learning how to identify a goal and work towards meeting it. For my students, goals are a familiar part of their IEP process. I want each of my students to know what they are working towards and so, we talk goal setting as often as possible. But, I would argue that every single person (not just students in Special Education) would benefit from an understanding of goal setting.

Listen, I am a total nerd. I fully embrace it. I love talking goal setting and could go on until the end of time. Sometimes during our social skills group, we do! But, I shall spare you.

Here are my top three reasons for goal setting with kids:

One: Growth Over Mastery

Students who participate in goal setting around their education learn to take ownership of their learning. When students identify a goal, they start to explore why that particular goal is important to them. Then, students outline how they will achieve their goal. Often times, this requires multiple steps over a period of time. Students will begin to measure their progress against themselves. Hoping for growth each time rather than expecting to master a concept on the first try.

This will skill will serve them throughout their education and their lives. When people understand that they have the power to carve out a goal for themselves and then reach it, they will succeed.

Two: Self Reflection

How many adults do you know that would benefit tremendously from taking a little time and reflecting? One? Three? (At least two that are related to you in some capacity? Yeah, me neither.) I think we all know a few. Learning to take the time to reflect on yourself, your life, and your goals is a skill that everyone benefits from.

Understanding the process of self reflection as it pertains to academics is a safe and comfortable way to practice the skill. Beginning with a small academic goal can help students learn how to work towards goals in other areas of their lives.

Three: Data Tracking

Student’s who participate in their own data tracking give valuable insight into their feelings about their own education. Even if your students do not have social skills IEP goals, understanding a student’s feeling of social acceptance and self esteem are important. You will have weekly (or monthly) accounts in the student’s own voice explaining their success or failures. Educating the whole student, not just a student who will have academic success, is the goal!

Resources for Goal Setting with Students

Goal Setting with Student Flip Chart

College Ready Writing Prompts

Growth Quick Write Prompts

by admin

Community Service at School through Kindness

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means we make a small commission at no cost to you if you click and purchase something we recommend. The suggested products are ones we have tried and love! For more information see our full disclosure policy. Thank you for your support!

Community service at school is critical. It is one of the first opportunities your students will have to learn about the ripple effects of kindness. This is how an inexpensive bin helps me make an impact in my school community all year long.

Make a Kindness Kit for your Classroom

My kindness kit gives me and my students a chance to positively impact the days of the people around us. It makes our community a happier place to be. Here is what is in my Kindness Kit:

Flower Water Tubes: These tubes give my students and I the ability to turn any cutting from a bush or wildflower into a thoughtful gift. They only cost a few cents each and allow us to share beautiful flowers with the people in our community all year long.
Note Cards: A simple handwritten note goes such a long way. Having cute note cards on hand encourages me and my students to write them out. I send them home to parents and put them in the boxes of teachers who make my day better.
Tea: A simple tea bag with an encouraging note can turn someones day around. As teachers, we do not always take time for self care. This is a good way to
Student Art: Students produce beautiful art but we all know, we cannot keep everything. I will display art students want to give me for a few days. Then I will ask them if they want to move it to the Kindness Kit. Most of the time, they do! I store the student art in an expanding file folder. When a person is helpful to our classroom (volunteers, substitute teachers, office staff, etc.) we choose a piece of art to give them.
Gift Tags & Twine: Having a cute gift tag and a bundle of twine makes all the difference. These two items are a quick way to turn anything into a thoughtful gift.

Kindness is a Community Service at School

I became a teacher to help create good people. To be honest it’s a challenge for me to push academic rigger over developing quality relationships in my classroom. This strategy is not so good on state tests, but maybe good for our world. Helping shape humans that care about themselves and each other is kind of it for me. As some of you may know by now, I love sneaking character building content into academics anywhere I can. Nothing and I mean nothing, beats a good student check in followed by a social skills group in my book!

And then there is kindness. I could talk about being kind with my students all day. Kind is what we need more of in schools, in homes, and in communities. I infuse kindness into my reading comprehension groups and into my vocabulary word of the week. I have used kindness as theme for my classroom. We have a kindness word wall and classroom posters. It is a part of the fabric of our classroom community.

Kindness is having a moment and I am here for it! The outcome in my classroom has been a kinder, more safe learning environment where students are encouraged to take chances. I would love to hear how you infuse kindness into your classroom!

Resources for Teaching Kindness in your Classroom

FREE Kindness Writing Prompts

Kindness Themed Classroom Decor

Reading Comprehension Workbook: Kindness Theme

by admin

What is a Paraprofessional?

Paraprofessionals are the unsung heroes. Of all the jobs in Special Education, Paraprofessionals get my vote for having the greatest ability to impact the daily lives of students. Paraprofessionals are sometimes called Paraeducators, Education Assistants, Special Education Instructional Assistants, or Teacher Aides.

By any name, Paraprofessionals keep the classroom running and deserve to be celebrated! So, what is a Paraprofessional? What is a Paraeducator? What is a special education Paraprofessional? Simply put, these people are the heart of the classroom.

What do Paraprofessionals do?

Paraprofessionals are the heart of any classroom. They support the classroom Teacher. When Teachers are drowning in data and phone calls from parents, it is the Paraprofessional who greets the students. When a Teacher is managing a behavior crisis or testing students it is the Paraprofessional who is re-teaching a concept to a small group of students. Paraprofessionals are famous for organizing classrooms, completing student observations, and preparing student materials.

The relationships between the Paraprofessional, Classroom Teacher, and students can change the dynamic of a classroom.

My Special Education Paraprofessionals

I have a huge place in my heart for the amazing Paraprofessionals that I have worked with in my Special Education classroom over the years. There was the one who brought in an illuminated, five foot tree with lights to make our room more cozy. We read with students under that tree and wondered how long until the Fire Marshall shut us down.

Another favorite created a classroom currency (horrifyingly with my face on it) while I was out sick for the day. She opened a store and encouraged our students to bring a friend from their general education classrooms to “shop”.

We created a talent show to showcase our students and cried when they performed in front of their peers to standing ovations. We opened our daily check ins to any student who needed it, not just our students in Special Education. This made our Special Education room the coolest place to hang out.

The Cool Kids of Room 209

Our Special Education room was so open, warm and inviting that general education students would stop me in the halls to ask, “when will you take me?” and “why is it only some kids that get a turn to go with you?” Our students including many who had numerous things stacked against them socially were accepted, popular even. We were officially the cool kids in room 209. This made our student’s daily lives better. It should not be the case, but it simply was.

I am so incredibly proud of our program and I take absolutely zero credit for it. None of it was me. It was my Paraprofessionals. Their creativity, thoughtfulness and ingenuity built our program.

My Paraprofessionals met the needs of students when they were overwhelmed in the chaos of general education. They modified work, taught life skills and offered breaks at exactly the right moments. They took data, gave advice, and solved so many problems while I sat writing IEPs.

Thank You, Paraprofessionals

Paraprofessionals see our students for exactly who they are. They love our students and hold their hands through the tough stuff. But, Paraprofessionals hold our hands too as Teachers. They help, support, document, prepare, and laugh just at the right times. Next time you see a Paraprofessional, thank them for all they do, seen and unseen.

Resources for Paraprofessionals in Special Education

Paraprofessional Appreciation Gift

Forms for Paraprofessionals

Special Education Basics Training

FREE Small Group Behavior Management Training

Progress Monitoring Training for Paraprofessionals

by admin

What is a Student IEP?

What is a student IEP? I am so glad you asked! A student IEP is an Individualized Education Program. Each program is unique and created for an individual student by an IEP team. Parents, Teachers, Special Education Teachers, and other specialists make up the team who will support the student.

An IEP outlines the present level of student performance. It also identifies goals that are at an appropriate level for the student. The IEP outlines the supports and services that will be put into place. Additionally, the frequency of support a student will require to meet their goals is listed. Annual team meetings are held to review and revise the student’s program.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, students who have a disability are entitled to a free and appropriate public education. The student IEP is a map that ensures they receive it!

Student Involvement

When appropriate, students should be involved in the IEP process. This can be both valuable and empowering for the student. Teach students to understand their own abilities. Becoming a self advocate is a skill that will serve them throughout their adult lives. Make sure students understand that they are an important part of their own education. Allow students to access their own IEPs, goals, and accommodation information.

3 Strategies for Teaching Students about IEPs

Tackling a conversation about special education with a student who is not ready can be a challenging task. Here are four ways to help students transition into members of the IEP team:

Allow students to monitor and chart their own progress towards their IEP goals.
Give students a printed schedule of their IEP services. Have them take the lead on following it.
Teach students to think about what helps them be successful at school (setting, volume of noise, breaks, etc.). Then, have them practice asking for it.
Teach vocabulary that specifically relates to the special education process. Even better if you can teach this concept in a social skills group so it does not feel personal for any one student.

IEP Basics Training

IEP Basics Student Workbook

Student Goal Setting Flip Book

by admin

Teacher in Special Education, Thank You

Teacher in special education, I see you for the unbothered, unwavering, total legend that you are.

Special Education Teacher, Thank You

Thank you for the times you break your heart reading the case file of one of your students. In those early morning hours before the school comes alive, I know you have cried for them. I know about the clothes you buy for your students with your own money only to rip the tags off and claim that they were donated. I have seen the way you hold parents together so they can hold their kids.

Thank you for giving a snack to every single hungry face that crosses through your doorway. And yes, I know you buy those with your own money. I see the worry in your face when you send some of your students off for a holiday break and your joy when they return to the warmth of your classroom. You are unwavering in your resolve to love your students in good and in hard times.

Just in case no one has told you, let me be the first to say, I am sorry

I am sorry for all that gets dropped on your lap. The IEPs you agonize over, the parents who don’t understand what you are working towards and the times your hands are tied by policy. Sorry for the times the general education teacher population unknowingly excludes you and for the times you sit at a “team meeting” alone.

I am sorry dear teacher in special education that you are both observed and evaluated by people who sometimes know nothing about special education law. I see the way you are unbothered by throwing a rando learning target on your wall to check a box and then working fiercely towards IEP goals with your students.

You change the trajectories of lives. Guide parents through a journey that can be so scary to a destination unknown. You create a safe haven for your students. A hub of kindness and understanding within a school system that standardizes kids.

Thank you. I see the unbothered, unwavering, total legend that you are. I stand with you, and I cheer for you. My heart will always be in the Special Education Classroom.

Run your Special Education Classroom Smoothly

As Special Education Teachers we have the best and one of the hardest jobs in the school. I have many, many, many systems in place that free up my time so I can be more present with my students. Here are five ways you can keep your classroom running smoothly!