STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management

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:
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IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com

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

Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Are you looking for ways to help your students with special needs manage test anxiety? Do you want your students to be as relaxed and prepared as possible for state testing?
We all have students who overthink and stress out before tests. This can come out in a variety of ways including crying, attitudes, dropping to the floor, etc. This can be gut wrenching to see and seeing them look to you with overwhelm in their eyes when the tests begins is even worse! The good news is there are some proactive ways we can help our students feel less stress and anxiety when it’s time for state testing. Tune in to hear my top 9 tips for effectively helping students reduce state testing anxiety so they can feel more comfortable and at ease when testing time comes.
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Episode 84. State Testing Is Coming! How to Prep Now for the State Assessment
Episode 68. Power Struggles with Your Student with Special Needs
Jumbo Spiral Glitter Wand - 12.5" Wonder Glitter Tube
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
Leave a 5 star review
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
Become an INSIDER & join the email list HERE!
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com

Hey Special Education Teacher,
April is Autism Acceptance Month! Do you have a favorite way to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month? 
Working in the education field, there is an extremely high chance that you have already worked with or will work with a student with Autism. That is one reason I feel it is so important to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month. We are striving to be more inclusive and promote education, understanding, and respect for the differences of people with autism. In this episode, I'm sharing some ideas on how you can help celebrate our individuals with autism both inside the classroom and out. 
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Masterpiece: an inclusive kids' book celebrating a child on the autism spectrum (The Incredible Kids)
All My Stripes: A Story for Children With Autism
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin 
Uniquely Wired: A Story About Autism and Its Gifts  
Autism Society of America
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
FREE LESSONS! Autism Society Inland Empire: ‘Autism Acceptance in the Schools’ Lessons
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
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Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com

Hey Sped Teacher,
Are you nervous about an upcoming observation? Do you tend to stress yourself out by overdoing it on your observation lesson plans?
For many teachers (me included!), pressure and nerves come along with knowing you have an observation coming up. I would try to come up with some new and exciting lesson that covered every aspect of a standard. I was a nervous wreck! After a few years, I realized that I didn’t need to be doing this elaborate prep or creating brand new activities and lessons just because I was being observed. I was able to narrow it down to the 8 things that I knew I needed to include in my lessons in order for me to have a successful observation. Tune in to hear what I include in observation lessons and real life examples so you can put them into practice in time for your next observation!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Readworks
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com

Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Do you struggle with managing behavior in your special ed classroom? Are you ready to create a better learning environment for your students with disabilities?
When I was in my first couple years of teaching, I was so excited about decorating my classroom, getting my students into the classroom, and teaching them all the exciting lessons I had planned. And then the first days of school came and I had students crying, running out the classroom, flipping desks, etc. I knew I NEEDED to figure out my classroom management before I could effectively teach my students. I don’t want you to take as long as it took for me to get your class to the point they are ready to learn. In this episode, I am sharing the top 3 reasons to focus on behavior before academics and 6 ideas for how to actually implement focusing on behavior first.
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
EP 27: Need a RESET in Managing Classroom Behavior? 7 Ideas to Get Your Special Ed Classroom Back in Order Again! 
EP 50: How to Handle Challenging Behavior from Students with Special Needs with Dr. Christine Reeve
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com

Hey Sped Teacher!
State testing is quickly approaching! Are you starting to prep for the assessments? Does prepping for state testing make you feel stressed out? 
As a new special education teacher, I had no idea how to help my students prepare for the state assessments. Every year, I felt so stressed trying to figure out what to do beforehand so my students would feel prepared instead of confused when they got to the test. After a few years of taking more trainings, making myself familiar with the assessments, and collaborating with the test coordinator, I finally found a flow that is effective and efficient for prepping for the state assessments. In this episode, I am breaking down the 6 steps I take to preparing myself and my students for state testing.
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
California Department of Ed
CAASPP state test videos
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
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IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com

Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Do you feel like you're constantly scrambling to cover everything that needs to be covered in the day? Are you looking for ways to get the most out of your classroom time?
As special ed teachers, our days just fly by! I’ve definitely gotten to the end of the day and wondered what I even got done. Our to-do lists seem to be never ending and trying to tackle everything seems overwhelming. But throughout my years as a special education teacher, I have learned some tips and tools that help me be more productive in my day. Tune in to hear my 6 best productivity tips for when it feels like you can’t fit everything into your day!
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Plum Paper Planner
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
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Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE!
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Contact: steppingintospecialed@gmail.com

Hey Special Education Teacher,
Have you ever had a student you thought may need a change of placement? Are you curious about the signs that indicate a student may need a COP? 
There are several things that need to be taken into account when considering a change in placement for a student. In my first change of placement meeting, I realized that I did not have nearly enough data to get the student into the appropriate educational setting she needed. I want to ensure this does not happen to you and that you are prepared when you want a COP for a student. In this episode, I am diving into the 6 areas you need to look at first before thinking of changing a student's placement.
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

Hey Special Ed Teacher,
Are you unsure if you want to teach in a mild to moderate or extensive needs classroom? Are you not really sure what the differences are between the two? I’ve been there and I’m breaking it all down for you today so you can make the best decision possible for you!
There are some distinct differences between teaching mild to moderate support needs vs extensive support needs. Some of these differences may affect which setting you want to teach in. Join me as I unpack the differences in curriculum, class size, aides, eligibilities and cognitive levels, training, and assessments that shape these two distinct teaching settings.
Take Care,
Michelle
Resources mentioned:
Leave a 5 star review
Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!
Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!
Connect with Michelle Vazquez:
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