#spedchat Archive
#spedchat is a Twitter hashtag used for (1) daily, continuous research and resource sharing on issues related to and effecting students with disabilities, & (2) a scheduled weekly Twitter chat on Tuesday nights from 9:00-10:00 EST.
Tuesday January 5, 2016
Welcome to - Introduce yourself, tell where you are from, & what you do. Don't forget to use the hashtag for each tweet.
Happy 2016 ! Tonya here from Indiana. Director of Sped --.
Chelsea, Rhode Island (teach in MA) and teach 7th grade inclusion!
I'm Jodi from Indiana. SpEd teacher in alternative HS placement. Also private AT/AAC consultant.
9:02 Tonight's will discuss school leadership and how it impacts students. Looking forward to great discussions.
Welcome to your first ! So glad you've joined us. :)
Happy 2016 Hello from Katy, TX. Christy Reuter, co-teacher 6/7 Soc St & Sci.
Tonight's will discuss school leadership and how it impacts students. Looking forward to great discussions.
Hello and Happy 2016! I’m Lisa from NJ. I am a Jewish Inclusion expert & run an inclusive supplemental religious school
Welcome to ! Happy New Year!! :)
We will post questions as Q1, Q2, etc.. Please tweet your response with A1, A2, etc. Don't forget to add to each tweet!
Welcome back to another great year of . Glad you joined us tonight! :)
Q1: How do you define educational leadership?
Please excuse heavy stream for the next hour as I participate in . Better yet, join us!
Hi Jodi. Great to be here. I'm attempting to be more involved and develop a PLN for 2016.
Happy New Year Jodi. Advocate and coach from Philadelphia metro area. CEO of firm supporting working parents...
A1: “Leadership is not a position or title. It is action and example”
Laurie joining from BC Canada. Happy New Year all.
Happy New Year and welcome back to .
A1: Educational leadership is the ability to facilitate many rooms of individuals into one team focused on student success.
A1. The ability to motivate teachers and staff to help children to reach their full list of potential
Helloooooo! Happy New Year! Karen from RI teacher of grade 4 learning champions!
sorry for the delay! Laura here with INI Schools
Happy New Year!! Welcome Back to !
Good evening . Jeremiah from SD. School psych.
Thanks for joining another . :)
A1: The ability to foster a positive learning environment for teachers and students that promotes collaboration
A1: defining educational leadership: to be willing to experiment, take risks and serve as a role model
Happy New Year. Thanks for joining another
Education leadership is usually administration, but Ts can be leaders as well. They lead with boldness to improve learning.
Q2: What qualities/attributes make an effective school leader?
A1: educational leadership is helping others believe and achieve what they may feel is unthinkable.
very true! strong teacher leaders build strong student leaders!
So excited to see you back for tonight! Hope you had a great and relaxing break!
A1: Educational leadership is about empowering others to learn, grow & succeed. Finding the "greatness" within each individual.
A1: Leaders cultivate a why and vision to the work we do so that we all row together.
Agreed. And sometimes it's the student's leading the way. There is room for everyone in leadership.
A2: True school leaders value all students' success equally. Life skills & college prep have same value in the leader's eyes.
So agree. True leadership is often about getting out of the way so other's can shine bright.
A2. Decisiveness, courage, humility, the ability to see potential, data/growth mindset. Always.put.students.1st.
A2: Just finished 5 Dysfunctions of a Team. Challenged me to see that leadership requires teaming and team require development.
I love "so we all row together." No one goes anywhere if even one person in your boat is rowing backwards. https://t.co/2LFaDB3xPt
A1: Leaders cultivate a why and vision to the work we do so that we all row together.
A2: effective leaders guide, support, motivate, cultivate, communicate, collaborate, reflect, celebrate and appreciate
A2: Superb listening skills. Flexibility. Collaboration. Partnering with parents.
A2: Effective school leaders take the whole child's development (social, emotional, educational) into account
A2: School leaders should be bold, risk taker, cooperative, and selfless.
Ohh....I will have to check that book out!
That's a nice list of attributes! https://t.co/IGmjhU52fV
A2: School leaders should be bold, risk taker, cooperative, and selfless.
Q3: How do school leaders set the tone and build school culture for students?
Hi friends! Angelique from VA- I am a district level specialist for elementary special education.
A2: qualities of a leader: passionate & compassionate, decisive, energetic, kind. And in the Jewish world we say, a mensch.
I just typed the title into a post-it note on my computer!
Hi ! Happy New Year everyone! Tom here from Richmond, VA. I teach HS students in 6 self-contained Resource classes.
Hi and Happy New Year. Thanks for joining us for
I like the word "mensch." I kinda want to walk around saying it over and over because it feels fun in my mouth!
Hi Tom! Happy New Year. Thanks for joining us tonight for
A3: Leaders who believes EVERY Ss matters and shows this belief in all decisions. Tchrs will follow this lead.
A3: By truly building an inclusive culture. Educating all students about differences and acceptance. And including parents.
A3: Leaders who seek to include ALL students & teachers in every activity & committee set precedent for whole school to do same.
A3: School leaders who build a collaborative and inclusive environment that makes EVERYONE feel welcome
A2 A key component 2 leadership is a vision & belief in improvement & ongoing reflection & seeking from others on how 2 get there.
Yes! It’s Yiddish & literally means an upstanding, honorable person of integrity. We work hard to raise mensches!
Leaders who are also not afraid to take risks, have failures, and grow. It's a good model for the students and teachers as well
Q4: What do you wish school leaders knew about special education?
A3: By "walking the talk" Living the vision of valuing EVERYone. Finding ways 4 each indiv 2 be valued, have value and give value.
A3. By making sped a priority. Show up to case conferences! Come into sped teachers rooms! Be just as invested in their future
A3: Admin sets the tone with selection of personnel, development of school mission, & enlisting all staff on that mission.
We surely do Lisa. And we often find them in the least expected places...
Well, it's officially my new favorite word. :)
Just like the real world, everyone deserves to be treated and included with respect, kindness, gratitude, & empathy.
A4: That ALL growth matters--especially with Ss. A small gain may be a HUGE success--celebrate it!
Lv that! Our boss always tells us he would rather us do something and fail then do nothing at all
A4: That it has to be more than paperwork, compliance, and CYA. Our job is to educate, develop, and grow all students.
A3: leaders set culture of community when they lead by example & act in ways that model the inclusiveness they strive to achieve.
A4: I wish school leaders knew how holistic SPED is. Sometimes lessons must be stopped to deal with breakdowns, emotions, etc
A4: The nuances of disabilities & that those w/ the same diagnosis are not the same. And that parents know their children best.
as does my principal! Our motto is growth mindset - it really changes how I feel about myself and job!
So very true! We also look for menschlecheit behaviors. Favorite phrase in my house: “be a mensch”!
I like that you mention parents as being an important part of inclusive culture. Don't forget local community too
sometimes I wish I could get rid of the paperwork and use my time for the kids! So much time gets used up
. So true! Acknowledge the small steps with joy and celebration.
In my new school corp, admin run every case conf, not the TOR. Because it's Ss in their school, not just my class.
One of mine too. Just like don't be a schlepper.
Q5:As a special education teacher, therapist, or service provider,what is your biggest challenge when working with school leaders?
Agreed Christy. It does take a village...
Hi all, Sped Grad Student from SC. A1: Leadership is showing and doing, bossing is telling and expecting
I agree. It's hard to have a true living IEP.
A4: I wish I could change "special education teacher" to "specialized instruction teacher" to me, it sounds cooler and what we do
A4 I'm happy to say that people move to my county because of the SPED services that we provide. My principal treats all Ss equally
A4: I wish admin understood the challenges with paperwork and data collection and how consuming it is of our time/energy.
A5: Inflexibility. Discounting parents. Using forms to guide decisions. Lacking a true understanding of data.
It was super-weird at first that I just prep the IEP paperwork & they run the meetings and do 90% of the talking.
A4- Thou shalt not let labels lower expectations.
A5: Biggest challenge: Admin (& myself) remembering most important job as SpEd teacher is NOT compliant paperwork. It's teaching.
Thought you'd like that Lisa...
What a huge compliment! Congratulations.
CONSUMING is a very good word. I feel very consumed at the moment. Very.
Hey happy new year! Is this admin chat about inclusive settings? My admin support SwD, but we are self-contained so they have to!
Best comment of the day Angelique...
That's not something you hear very often. Hope he is treated like the rock star he is!!
A3: anyone can be a leader for sped and culture, not just admin. Positive & helpful people that are willing to work together!
It's about any setting! Join us!
Totally agree. And sometimes it's the Ss who lead the way.
So true. Collective minds can have powerful influence. https://t.co/2VEEMGR8X3
A3: anyone can be a leader for sped and culture, not just admin. Positive & helpful people that are willing to work together!
A5: For me, it is scheduling. Between attending classes, testing, running meetings, and writing IEPs, I feel overwhelmed!
A5: Somtimes, there isn't enough TIME!
A5: I'm blessed with supportive admin. They even raised money for our Lifeskills for CBIs.
A5: asking for what we need for our students, but is outside the realm of budgetary constraints! Frustration all around!
Yes! It's hard to be a teacher while trying to do another full-time job simultaneously w/out time given for that.
Q6: What is the SpEd teacher's role in impacting school leadership & decisions?
He is. Well- loved by students and staff. I feel fortunate to work with him.
agreed! I teach a full class load and am responsible for supervision, observations, and staff support!
This is where parents can work miracles. Seen it many times. Cannot discuss $ and they can help advocate for you.
I understand that. My first sped job I didn't get a conference period or lunch break bc of scheduling.
A5: I love my job. I love our students. I love my colleagues. I love our school & community. No complaints...staying positive!
A6: SpEd teacher represents best interests of SpEd Ss. Job is to advocate & assist admin to best meet needs of SpEd Ss.
Love this. Every challenge is just an opportunity for growth!
A6: SpEd teacher is "on the ground" and knows the kids and their needs. Their voices must be heard & parents can help.
A6: Do your job well, build relationships, and be innovative. Admin will support and listen to you when you impact S's.
I am lucky to have supportive ADM who fixed my schedule temporarily to address these needs!
I had a 6-year run where I never had a lunch or prep. All paperwork & prep done outside school.
A5- Biggest challenge may be a true, deep-seeded belief in equality- of gen ed staff to sped staff and of gen ed S's and SWD's.
A6: our most important role is 2 advocate. We know our population best and can offer ideas and support that best suit our kids
A6: Our Sped staff are included in focus groups. TOY, and fund raising. Admin auctions their parking space monthly for CBI funds.
A6. To continually advocate for sped students.
took the word right out my mouth (fingers?). ADVOCACY.
specialized instruction teachers (yup changed my title) are blessed to analyze curriculum & build supports to meet indiv needs
Q7: Is special education treated as a legal requirement or a core part of your school?
they're definitely supportive, just constrained by budgets and staffing concerns :/
we have focus groups as well! our ADM wants our input on ideas and new programs prior to implementation.
A7: In current school, SpEd is core part of school. In some prior jobs, my Ss were only there because the law said they had to be.
I don't want to be part of a school where the second part is true!
A7: special education isn't a part of school, it's the heart and soul teaching and learning with ALL students identified or not
I like that idea! Admins auctioning off their parking space for CBI funds. Going to suggest at my school! https://t.co/2e1oLbxVXI
A6: Our Sped staff are included in focus groups. TOY, and fund raising. Admin auctions their parking space monthly for CBI funds.
A7: Sped is just as important as any other department at my school. Ts & Ss are recognized for their contributions & achievements
A7. and both treat SpEd as the core. Every ss is treated as an individual and met where they are
A7: It depends on philosophy. If approached as separate then mandate. If about inclusion for ALL then it becomes part of identity.
A7: SPED is a core part. said it best, teaching is for ALL students, labels aside our school promotes equality
That's why I'm not anymore. :)
Q8: How can Speducators engage leadership as more active participants in IEP planning and conferences?
Solid piece. And IEPs are what parents dread most...more than their child's special needs.
The school also charged admission for Teacher V. Student volleyball game & gave funds to Sped for CBIs (Over $1k).
Inclusion should be who we are & who we strive to be. It’s not a teacher or a department or a classroom, it’s a mindset.
A8: Sometimes leadership in IEP meetings complicates an already complicated process. Question would be their purpose & role...
the system makes advocating for your child a full-time job unfortunately!
A8: Invite, include them in team planning, meetings, etc. Invite them to give feedback on your lessons. Ask instructional ?'s.
A8: Giving admin key roles (script it for them, if necessary) in IEP process can help create buy-in & active participation.
A8: Our adm attend department meetings. Asking them to attend meetings, observe lessons, etc can help in their inclusion
Sure is Andrew. And for working parents, it can be a nightmare and then some.
For both the parents and the teachers. And it can be risky for teachers to advocate sometimes.
Q9: What do you need the most from your school leader?
A8: Don't know, but IEPs should be more pedagogical than legal. Need to be more formative than summative. IMHO.
A8: At ARD, admin has something positive to say about student. Admin takes time to know the student before meeting.
Wow! That is a very supportive atmosphere! Our new Ts are always coming up with new ideas to help out too!
that's where our admin shine! Ts only job during CSE mtgs is advocacy for students!
Which is why, depending upon a host of factors, parents *can* improve results. Not always. Sometimes.
A9: I need support & confidence in my abilities & judgement. Some days, SpEd teachers just need cheerleaders. Some days are hard.
Sorry https://t.co/cwhTThHNXD
A9: To really see and know the work teachers do. That way the lines to discussion are open and both sides can grow.
Good to hear but not always. Far too often, admin impedes process because they don't know the child or parents.
Great statement! https://t.co/cGH4X9w0EN
A8: Don't know, but IEPs should be more pedagogical than legal. Need to be more formative than summative. IMHO.
We can be leaders by having ongoing communications & check-ins with team members, try new things & IEP meetings are team approach
A9: Need technology from admin. I'm mobile & don't have a laptop/computer of my own. Would love iPad to collect data.
Yes! I often wonder if anyone else can see the behind-the-scenes or if they just see the stage. https://t.co/OAJr2cp0bS
A9: To really see and know the work teachers do. That way the lines to discussion are open and both sides can grow.
Q10: What tips would you offer new Ts to build collaborative relationships & maintain open communication w/their leadership?
Oh my gosh, I would be lost if I wasn't carrying my laptop everywhere constantly! I'd love an iPad for data!
A6: attn to details by keeping all Ss in mind. Accessible field trips, inclusive school rules, anti-bullying. Advocating!
A9: As a new teacher, I need help with data collection. It is my weakness and would love PD to strengthen this skill!
What we need from ALL team members is everyone to be on the same page when it comes to creating meaningful indiv goals & supports
A10: Share tiny successes & MAKE Ss stories & moments important. Drag admin into your happy dances. Soon they will run to join!
Thank you for the insight about school leadership/admin & Sped. Good luck in 2016. Have a great week.
A8- Recognition that special ed is not a PLACE, it is a set of observable, unique, tailored PRACTICES.
We've done a on this topic, but it's been awhile. and I can revisit it soon! There were great ideas!
A 10. Invite leaders into your classroom, ask to talk about special-education tips during staff meeting, meet with them about ss
A10: Ask questions, discuss data, look for problems and provide ideas for solutions. Most admin's care about S outcomes.
A10: If admin struggle to relate w/Ss, provide them moments & opportunities to celebrate success. Make Ss people & not IEPs.
Love this https://t.co/Cy8IbCqvqF
A10: Share tiny successes & MAKE Ss stories & moments important. Drag admin into your happy dances. Soon they will run to join!
Yes, celebrate them and tell their story. Love that! https://t.co/zLQ1Y8hfNR
A10: If admin struggle to relate w/Ss, provide them moments & opportunities to celebrate success. Make Ss people & not IEPs.
Angelique...your comments are absolutely spot on and I concur.
A9- Recognition that special ed is not a PLACE, it is a set of observable, unique, tailored PRACTICES.
A10: Dont be afraid to share your ideas, try new things even if it fails,take time to reflect & connect, & laugh w team members
A10: As a new T, I am always going to my adm and mentor for guidance. Their doors are always open for support!
Often, others don't know what to celebrate. Our victories can be small & easily missed if not celebrated in BIG ways!
atta girl! Fist bumps baby! 👊
Time to wrap up tonight! Thanks for the great dialogue & collaboration. Continue to use the hashtag as you finish your chats.
Agreed. Teaching how to accept and manage (sometimes prevent) emotions is a big part of a classroom! https://t.co/UjNYYP9jJ1
A4: I wish school leaders knew how holistic SPED is. Sometimes lessons must be stopped to deal with breakdowns, emotions, etc
Thanks for allowing me to participate this evening...
We will storify this and post later tonight so you can catch any missed tweets & check out all the posted links & resources.
Thanks for a passionate discussion about leadership and collaboration. Have a good week!
I did see it-it rang very familiar. Speaks to the disconnect & misunderstanding of what sped is and is not.
Thank you for the talk tonight! Love learning and growing with fellow teachers. Happy 2016!
I appreciate this amazing conversation and I appreciate all that each of you do on a daily basis. Appreciate. My
My self esteem has increased in the past hour thanks to - so kind, thank you!
Thanks for an engaging Wishing all a positive week.
