#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 March 22, 2016
Welcome to - Introduce yourself, tell where you are from, & what you do. Don't forget to use the hashtag for each tweet.
Welcome to - Introduce yourself, tell where you are from, & what you do. Don't forget to use the hashtag for each tweet.
Hi, ! Jodi from Indiana. SpEd teacher in alternative HS placement & private AT/AAC consultant.
Hi! I'm Karen from RI, special education teacher of 4th grade ROCKSTARS who fill my heart each day.
Britt from Massachusetts middle school special ed:)
Hi, favorite Twitter friend! Thanks for joining tonight! :)
Hi, I Jean and SLP and Elem Tech Teacher from rural MN
Marie from San Antonio, TX- Collaborative for 3rd grade.
Glad to be joining in on tonight, Sharon
Welcome to ! Thanks for joining tonight!
Thanks for joining again tonight!
Tonight's will discuss how to best to support new teachers! Looking forward to great discussions.
Daniel here from Indiana as the PATINS Director. I mostly do spreadsheets, politics, and live vicariously through many of you.
Howdy, Eric, HS SPED & ALT Ed in NJ jumping in and out
Hey, great to see you for tonight!
Brian HS special education. I teach learning center and co-teach Bio.
Welcome to ! Thanks for joining again tonight! :)
Hello all! Jenny in Indiana. Spced, High Ability, 504, and ELL Director for Alexandria Community School Corp
I will post questions as Q1, Q2, etc.. Please tweet your response with A1, A2, etc. Don't forget to add to each tweet!
I will post questions as Q1, Q2, etc.. Please tweet your response with A1, A2, etc. Don't forget to add to each tweet!
Welcome to ! Thanks for joining tonight. :)
hi and the feeling is mutual my sweet friend!
Angie Boone from Kansas,teach both in inclusion and resource setting at middle level
Your title keeps getting longer! Thanks for joining again tonight! :)
Q1: What one statement of encouragement/advice would you give all new SpEd teachers?
Jennifer. Ontario, Canada. District Principal of Specialized Services.
Welcome to ! Thanks for joining tonight! :)
Thanks for joining tonight!
A1: It gets easier, it gets less time-consuming, it is worth the hard days, and you will soon have a back pocket full of ideas!
A1: Don’t let the __________ get you down!!! Combat negativity with positivity always..When it all seems lost, look to the kids.
A1:My advice to new special education teachers...THANK YOU! You are here for a reason and there are many of us who will support u
A1: This job is not easy, but extremely rewarding- always remember that!
A1--Don't be afraid to try something new. If it fails--try again or try something else. Learn with your Ss.
A1: Maintain HIGH expectations for ALL of your students at nearly all costs.
A1) Relationships, relationships, relationships and do your paperwork correctly the first time.
Amen! https://t.co/ndZu0ov7bZ
A1: Don’t let the __________ get you down!!! Combat negativity with positivity always..When it all seems lost, look to the kids.
It's hard work, but the rewards are immeasurable
A1: Believe in yourself, love your students and build relationships w/ parents
Q2: What is your best/favorite memory of your first year teaching?
This is key to keep in mind that its not just “identified” Ss that struggle https://t.co/3mpihEMF2P
A1: one of the hardest things my students have struggled with is writing and reading.
A1 get lots of sleep , drink lots of coffee ask lots of questions of vet.Ts, don't take anything personal https://t.co/ntd3W0SGX0
Q1: What one statement of encouragement/advice would you give all new SpEd teachers?
A1: Celebrate the uniqueness and positives in each child, for they just might need all the positives & celebrations you can offer.
Yes! Good advice https://t.co/VolU826Ecf
A1: Don’t let the __________ get you down!!! Combat negativity with positivity always..When it all seems lost, look to the kids.
A2: School forgot to order furniture for my room. All staff gave one thing. Best hodge-podge room of new teacher love ever.
A2: Realizing even tho I didn't like computers, I had no right to impose that on my students in ANY way. Seeing benefits of AT.
Relationships are key. Build a network of support. No individual has all the answers.
I LOVE that this was your starting attitude and now you are the director.
When I got sick my class made handmade get well cards.in HS!! https://t.co/P1xZu2jR7r
Q2: What is your best/favorite memory of your first year teaching?
A2) A 5 five year walking up to me in Kindergarten and leaving red hand prints on my new black wool pants.
A2: My first IEP meeting! So nervous, but ended up with great support from Ps & admin!
My best favorite memories are the hundreds of laughs, tears & smiles we shared. I am still friends with colleagues. Friends4life
Students can be so sweet. Especially the ones from whom we least expect it!
A2: I had no clue what I was doing but figured it out.. The kids were great then and I still see them now ( all adults/working)
Me, too! The people who got me through my first year are forever "my people."
A2: My first year I co-taught with an amazing English teacher who taught me about building relationships and made me love writing
True story. Didnt want a student computer in my classroom or my home. ...couldn't deny the benefits, despite.
Q3: What was the toughest part of being a new teacher? Is it still the toughest part or was it mostly tough due to inexperience?
Gosh it's been so long, but I think helping a student get the correct program to fit the needs
A2 My colleagues and seeing my students outside of school.
For sure!!! They never fail to amaze both good and bad !!! https://t.co/PAm9zT2VDQ
Students can be so sweet. Especially the ones from whom we least expect it!
A3: Paperwork, pressure, finding out who you really are as a teacher and what you want to be remembered as being to your students
I agree! The greatest friends are the ones who are always there for you even after you've moved onto new positions
A3: School politics is hardest thing to learn as new teacher. Most veteran teachers are great for navigating this. Still hard.
A2: One of my classes (split with 3 that yr!) supporting one of my Ss with epilepsy by wearing purple on epilepsy day! So sweet!
Sorry I couldn't make it tonight. Really wanted to, but, well, homework. I'll try to make it next week.
A2 It was hard work, but those moments when I realized I was making a difference made it all worthwhile.
A3: hardest part is building relationships and trust... That includes Ss, Ts, and Ps
A3) Understanding that due process paperwork dates must flow correctly and that the rules that govern the paperwork change.
A3: toughest part of being new SpEd Teach. was/is being solo w/no financial, or experiential, or friendly support. Totally Solo.
We're taking the next 2 weeks off for spring break! I'll post the storify of tonight's chat later.
Yep. Teachers often end up on islands. We have to remember to swim to other islands sometimes. https://t.co/D2yHgWkZzI
A3: toughest part of being new SpEd Teach. was/is being solo w/no financial, or experiential, or friendly support. Totally Solo.
A3: All that paperwork which was couldn't have any mistakes. Still is the hardest part IMO.
A3 Feeling isolated. It is important to know that it is OK to reach out, take risks, ask questions. That's hard to do when new.
Q4: Who is the reason you made it to your second year teaching? What did he/she/they do that made an impact on your 1st year?
One tough aspect is fighting the urge of feeling completely overwhelmed & not crying or getting angry over it. Kids need our best!
A3 Got lost in the details (of planning, IEPs, etc.) And didn't see the big picture. Now I focus on the forest, not just t/ trees
A3: The PAPERWORK and time management!! I still struggle with it but have definitely gotten better ;)
I think this is still the toughest aspect! https://t.co/9OytF0NmWs
One tough aspect is fighting the urge of feeling completely overwhelmed & not crying or getting angry over it. Kids need our best!
A3- small district, I was the only sped teacher in the building. Felt like I was on an island by myself
A4: I had amazing mentor T who knew NOTHING about SpEd, but everything about teaching. I knew SpEd laws & she taught me the rest.
Ok, thanks for letting me know! I guess I will see you then.
A3 lesson planning I had no idea how to plan & sequence.My dept.Head helped (stilled got RIFFED though! ) https://t.co/TkqgqydWSd
Q3: What was the toughest part of being a new teacher? Is it still the toughest part or was it mostly tough due to inexperience?
Q4: A wise SLP befriended me and showed me the Spced ropes. I'll always love her for that.
I opened a new life skills program my 1st year. No one else knew what I was supposed to be doing, either!
A4: Honestly, I felt like that island without Ts support during year one but I loved my Ss and their Ps were so supportive!
Sometimes, that's what it takes to get to the next year. I get it.
A4 I think the kids are the main reason we keep coming back! Making a difference where it matters most.
Q4: My SSs are responsible.Realizing this group of "non-readers" could read and write made me HAVE to come back and push for more!
Be sure to catch tonight's storify. I did this topic for all the college students who join !
A4) My students....they need us everyday to help them learn and to advocate for them in he school environment.
A4: I got by with a little help from my friends...admin...colleagues...families..& students
A4: My mentor & my sped team made sure I didn't drown and were always willing to help! Life savers!
Q5: Who might new SpEd teachers reach out to in their schools (besides other SpEd Ts) for sage advice & shared wisdom?
A5: The veteran "specials" teachers have been doing inclusion since before it was a thing. They were invaluable resources to me.
Filling like this more this year than my first. Thank you for posting this! https://t.co/rUY3FtH2kD
One tough aspect is fighting the urge of feeling completely overwhelmed & not crying or getting angry over it. Kids need our best!
AS screen reader came about huge for ALL learners to listen to text in many places https://t.co/lq0S5Vdiwl
A2: The tools are useful for ALL learners... I became an avid book reader only after I found Voiceover on my iPhone.
A5: If Ss ride SpEd bus, those drivers know TONS. Also cafeteria ladies & paras know a LOT about our S's histories & family/homes.
A5) Go find some of those crazy related service people that give your students extra support too. We are here to help.
A5: New sped Ts at our school have us, guidance, school psych, admin, and their gen ed teams to look to for help
I totally feel like it this year and haven't for several years. At least now I know it will eventually get better.
A4-I have had one of my wonderful paras for over 20 years. W/Oher I wouldn't have been successful without her
A5: New SpEd Teachers should reach out to for advice, training, wisdom..... and the secretary and maint. staff.
A5: General Ed teachers!! I learned a lot of dos and dont's from observing other teachers on my prep time.
A5 Expertise comes in all forms. Student voice is very important to listen to. Parents. Community partners. Paraprofessionals.
A4 My dept.head took me under her wing.Helped me write lessons , plan & how to implement awesome help https://t.co/0XLd3P03m1
Q4: Who is the reason you made it to your second year teaching? What did he/she/they do that made an impact on your 1st year?
This! https://t.co/u3chVg3lPl
A3: tech can help level the playing field. Had a kid who couldn't write until dictation on iPod touch came around.
A5: Of course admin! Also your reading & math specialists! They usually have advice and tools you didn't think of!
Q6: How can fellow SpEd teachers best wrap around new teachers & keep them energized (so they become 2nd year teachers)?
A5: Seriously.... Ask the students. They can often times tell you exactly what they need when they need it in the most direct way
A5-school secretary and janitors can be immensely helpful! You will know where to find supplies!
A6: Another T comes to my room daily to see if I'm swimming or drowning & offers to rescue me. That is huge. Even as not-a-newbie.
A5: Your secretaries are full of knowledge. Hopefully you have an awesome and accessible director too!
Yes don't forget your paras! More than likely they've been there a while & know the kids/families/school https://t.co/Hvo7wQyKTg
A5: If Ss ride SpEd bus, those drivers know TONS. Also cafeteria ladies & paras know a LOT about our S's histories & family/homes.
Love this... could make all the difference. https://t.co/MLbvkhV45m
A6: Another T comes to my room daily to see if I'm swimming or drowning & offers to rescue me. That is huge. Even as not-a-newbie.
A5 CST Members and school psychologist great source!! https://t.co/6kXeWYJnTR
Q5: Who might new SpEd teachers reach out to in their schools (besides other SpEd Ts) for sage advice & shared wisdom?
Yes all good info https://t.co/926k4JMLJl
A5: If Ss ride SpEd bus, those drivers know TONS. Also cafeteria ladies & paras know a LOT about our S's histories & family/homes.
A6: Weekly collaboration--make time for this. Don't be too busy.
Wow, how lucky is that! Love that setup! https://t.co/UX4hadO4Gx
I share a room with my other grade level counterparts and our three paras, along with two reading specialists…Lots of support!
A6 Model positivity and a solution-focussed approach. The learning will go both ways!
Claro apps great especially Claro Pen
The T who does that makes my day every day. She steals my kids during her prep when my IEP stack is taller than me.
thanks Eric! Takes one to know one! Gifted through friendship❤️
A7: Take a second to check in on them! Ask if there's anything you can do to help. We're a family, gotta stick together!
Q7: What do you wish colleagues would NOT say/do to new teachers? What makes you cringe every time you hear/see it?
A6-listen and don't offer unsolicited advice. Be supportive even if methods differ from yours
A6 be there for them! Listen, and be positive invite them into your room. Check out theirs https://t.co/qLnQqMtGiZ
Q6: How can fellow SpEd teachers best wrap around new teachers & keep them energized (so they become 2nd year teachers)?
A7: "The first year is awful. You'll get eaten alive. You'll have no life." Ugh. Don't be that poopyhead teacher who says that!
A7 "This is the way we have always done it!"
Yes! Those new teachers often have lots of great ideas & energy we could learn from if we take the time. https://t.co/XzPLibf9gv
A6-listen and don't offer unsolicited advice. Be supportive even if methods differ from yours
A7: Give the new teacher the most difficult kids or parents. That's just not right.
A7: I hate the negativity that sometimes comes from older Ts when speaking to newbies…and inflexibility also makes it tough…
A7: The one thing that makes me furious to think about is being told that my SS's were non-readers/writers. SO UNFAIR to them.
A7: if I were to hear "So...do you still wanna be a teacher now?" I think I'd buy the newbie some headphones that play good beats
A7: any info about "that kid", "that family" or "that teacher"
A7: Belittle their concerns. Saying things that aren't very positive or productive. "Yep I remember that..."
Did she kiss you? I offered to kiss another teacher today because she helped me. ;)
Q8: Can you recommend any great go-to resources for new SpEd teachers? What do you wish existed/you knew about your 1st year?
A8: Find out about the assistive tech lending options for your state. Attend conferences. Join email lists. Absorb everything.
A8: Silly but I love Pinterest for ideas for my room, my lessons, my organization, etc. Also having these edchats are so helpful
they do and they need to make their classroom there own not a replica of some veteran.
A8: I wish I knew that mostly likely any/all training I could need could be found for free: https://t.co/h61Mk3NGCK
A6 ow sorry you got "those kids" aghhh!!!!! https://t.co/KUi6NOVmm5
Q7: What do you wish colleagues would NOT say/do to new teachers? What makes you cringe every time you hear/see it?
Pinterest is pretty much the greatest thing to ever happen to teachers. https://t.co/4sd6BylQ6v https://t.co/r3ziGTsOQn
A8: Silly but I love Pinterest for ideas for my room, my lessons, my organization, etc. Also having these edchats are so helpful
A8 yea we are doing it now !!! ! !! https://t.co/rmRliN8jUD
Q8: Can you recommend any great go-to resources for new SpEd teachers? What do you wish existed/you knew about your 1st year?
A8: connecting like we are tonight, we have Ed service centers that offer wonderful prof dev, and other Ts
Q8: use the built in Accessibility on the iPad. Also I wish we had had high speed Internet my first year...lol.
A8) best resource is the related service peeps in your building. They know the S well and have great advice.
Winner of the best answer for tonight's ! :)
A8: I love browsing Pinterest, TPT, & Twitter! Just have to be mindful not to overdo it, then it's counterproductive!
Q9: Looking back, what was your best "I can't believe I actually did that!" moment as a new teacher? Any total "duh" moments?
I still LOVE researching disabilities, accommodations, tech supports, and simulations. is an amazing resource
A9: I "told" admin my Ss would be in gym w/peers. My textbooks said it was the law. My college didn't teach school politics. Oops.
A9: I’m sure there are a million ‘duh’ moments but I have repressed them all
My whole first year was pretty much one big "duh" moment. I've embraced them! ;)
A9: as a 1st year teacher, can't believe I posted symbols everywhere/denied those SSs the opportunity to learn sightwords instead.
And I mean it. But you can mail me my prize !!!!!!😊 https://t.co/OGUIStk8Ji
Winner of the best answer for tonight's ! :)
A9: they are all confidential!
No way! Spill the stories!
One time I gave kids the assignment to fill in a blank hundreds chart. I started it off for them... At ZERO! Cough..like 10th yr..
A8) New teachers know where to find resources they need old T to provide them guidance and help shape them professionally.
So I'm not the only person who has done that? Phew!
A9: I also barely remember all the "duh" moments. I had to make room in my brain for all the good stuff since then!
hahahaha! True story..first response.."what do you mean it didn't make sense at the bottom?" Muahahaha!
A9: one of my favorites misspelling the spelling word- while being observed by director!
Makes us stronger! https://t.co/x2xv5maboE
My whole first year was pretty much one big "duh" moment. I've embraced them! ;)
Know better, do better, right?
Q10: In the ideal world, what one thing would you have every school do to help retain new SpEd teachers? Does your school do it?
A10: Every school should give SpEd Ts time in their day to do the paperwork, not expect it all on their own time.
A10: Every school should give SpEd Ts time in their day to do the paperwork, not expect it all on their own time.
A9 Relying on random thematic units to teach skills. Hard to believe we did that. 😳
A10: In an ideal world a small caseload every yr would help retainTs but the world is NOT perfect,support is needed &yes we get it
When you know better, you do better. We all learn as we go. I want to apologize to my previous students every day.
A10-create a collaborative environment. When all staff is involved teaching sped Ss it becomes less stressful
Oh my gosh! I even had matching dresses & socks for the themes! I was THAT teacher!
Totally agree! Make sure those Ts in self contain have designated planning time too! And great mentors! https://t.co/fMuUT187Du
A10: Every school should give SpEd Ts time in their day to do the paperwork, not expect it all on their own time.
I think I would celebrate & acknowledge S progress frequently.As teachers we are always tracking & document, when do we celebrate?
In that sense, perhaps need thank our prev. SS's more than apologize, for being ours and furture SSs teachers.
So it's not normal to happy-dance every few minutes throughout every day?
Q10: Co:teach one hour with a HE teacher in the building and extended prep. I've tried this and other Ts complained-it got nixed.
I thank their parents ALL the time. I go back & show them new stuff still for their adult kids. Never too late.
A10 extra prep time to get planning & IEP'S done.Also common planning time with mentors https://t.co/CFPdyGXyH1
Q10: In the ideal world, what one thing would you have every school do to help retain new SpEd teachers? Does your school do it?
yes indeed! That's a must in our classroom! Especially if were to join us!
Yes must work as a team https://t.co/EztHqeQ5fT
A10-create a collaborative environment. When all staff is involved teaching sped Ss it becomes less stressful
A10 Building a culture of team ownership for student success. Honouring the role of special education leaders.
She is going to show up in your room someday. I just know it. I can't wait to see the video!
Time to wrap up tonight! Thanks for the great dialogue & collaboration. Continue to use the hashtag as you finish your chats.
I will storify this chat and post later tonight so you can catch any missed tweets & check out all the posted links & resources.
No the next 2 weeks for our spring breaks! and I will see you Tues, 4/12, at 9pm EST for the next chat!
thank you for the wonderful chat!
My advice to all new Sped T. Know your S, keep things structured, think outside the box, every minute counts, and ask for help,
Thanks for joining! See you in April!
Thanks . You're a great leader.
Thanks for joining tonight! Love your input for ! :)
Or sing really really badly !! https://t.co/rbQk1amDtE
So it's not normal to happy-dance every few minutes throughout every day?
I think that's a requirement for being a teacher. Or at least loudly. I sing constantly. Or yodel. Poor kids.
Sorry got to draw the line at yodeling !! https://t.co/u7ShYxWh8k
I think that's a requirement for being a teacher. Or at least loudly. I sing constantly. Or yodel. Poor kids.
