#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 September 27, 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.
Kevin from Navasota, Texas. Elementary Resource teacher.
Welcome Back to , Kevin! Thanks for joining.
NOOOO!! Are you serious?? :( Darn it. We need to coordinate better.
Tom from Richmond Virginia, Secondary Resource teacher Good evening !
Tonight's will discuss communication, support, & empowering students' parents/families. Looking forward to great discussions.
We will post questions as Q1, Q2, etc.. Please tweet your response with A1, A2, etc. Don't forget to add to each tweet!
We will post questions as Q1, Q2, etc.. Please tweet your response with A1, A2, etc. Don't forget to add to each tweet!
Brooke here from Indiana. I'm an asst director of a large sped co-op.
Q1: How do you communicate w/parents? Notes, calls, social media? How often & what has worked best for you?
A1 Texting works best for me. Love the immediacy of response!
A1: The more communication the better. Always respond to parents within 24 hours.
Daniel, PATINS Dir. Indiana
A1: Any and all of those methods. But nothing beats a good old fashioned phone call. Especially if it's not for something negative
A1: my daughter's teacher is using Seesaw app to communicate with parents and i LOVE it!
A1: All of the above. Its usually based on what works best for each family.
A1: I used a spriral-bound notebook for each Ss and wrote in them daily. I would be SO much better w today's digital tools w that
A1: What do you all think about using texing, social media, etc to communicate with parents and Ss? Good idea or no?
I think the most effective ways of communicating with parents would be through emails and direct meetings
A1 Consistent and flexible. E-mail, Remind App, and daily notes are all favorites. Gotta tailor to the families.
A1: I communicate whichever/all ways work best. I also love to communicate using photos and video. Sometimes they tell more than S
I love Remind App! As a parent and teacher!
A1: I hope I would use a "multiple means" method and offer padlet, Google Docs, Forms, Paper, Audio Records, etc.
Also, 2nd grade Autism/MD Self Contained here!
Just regular texts. That is all I need. I have used Remind in the past. That can be very useful too.
Great way of communicating with parents! ;)
Q2: What are ways you involve parents in the IEP process?
Welcome Back Rich! Thanks for joining.
super creative way for a T to send videos and pics to Ps. think of it like a teacher facebook for just your kid.
A1: I think the most effective ways of communicating with parents would be through emails and direct meetings
best way to reach a P is by phone. U can tell a lot more by phone than an email or text
A2: Early and often! I try to give my parents and students as much input and control that they want to have.
A2: Recording, bringing & showing actual work samples thru video, audio, still image: crucial to including Ps in Case Conferences
A2: My main goal is to make sure that parents understand the IEP and that they are NOT the only things their child is learning.
Hello everyone Danny from IL here... joining late!
A1: I prefer face to face conversations, but email, phone or notes home can all be good methods
and often emails and/or text can be misinterpreted. It's tricky!
A2 I interview parents about their child so their words are in the IEP.
Hi Danny! Jump on in...glad you are joining
A2 Using evidence to show progress and keeping them informed in the ongoings on their loved one's school life.
Q3: What advice/support do you give when parents/schools disagree about IEP decisions?
A2: I think constant communication with parents throughout the IEP process is vital with emails, shared documents, and meetings
A2: On-going communication with families and the team beginning day 1 sets the stage for a collaborative goal setting group
YES! Data is nonjudgmental and clear! Data is not emotional and a great place to start!
A3: In Indiana, we have great parent advocates like & - knowing who/where to send parents is helpful.
A2: I am looking forward to beginning S-led IEP transition meetings to middle school Parent input will be great
EEEK!! Love this! I was a MS teacher and love this idea. It makes a huge difference
A3: Meet again...communication and understanding of all team members are crucial in order to create a common ground
Agreed. Everyone's on the same team and wants the same thing. Just have to figure out how to get there.
S-Led IEP meetings will be a first for me but something I always wanted to try!
A1: I like to give parents a choice, but personally I like email b/c it acts as record of the conversation
A2: P know their kiddos, they help with goals, give us a glimpse at present levels, and can recommend services
A3: Best advice? Be Patient and trust that all parties are on the same side...the success of the student, even in disagreements
A3: If a conflict can't be resolved, mediation can be a great way to come to an agreement.
A3: Reassurance to parents, students and the team that decisions were carefully made
A3 Sounds cliche, but I ask "is it what's best for the student?"
Hi ! Sorry I'm so late! I'm living in the land of IEPs and 504s this evening :)
Its my #1 go to question and drives everything.
Q4: How can teachers help student families support each other? Do you encourage families to use each other as resources?
A3: Advocation for both students and teachers is important when creating IEPs. State mediated IEP meetings may be needed.
at the elem school last year I took video of S goal setting, discussing strengths& needs for meetings
Wait? You are doing your job?? :) Guess what? was at the training today and we didn't meet her! :(
this would be fantastic to see some authentic footage if you'd be willing to share
A4:Connecting S’s to each other helps to connect families. Encourage families to connect through trainings and events
absolutely! Special Education Advisory Meetings were created for that reason alone. together
A4: Simply keeping a truly open door policy and repeatedly inviting, allowed my Ss parents to come in and watch, talk, help.
HOW DID WE NOT KNOW???? PLNs are supposed to share everything, guys :(
A4: With confidentiality issues, it is sometimes difficult to promote family interactions. But small school = everyone knows
families loved it and the students were quite honest & aware even at elem level
A4: work mostly w/ Ts, trying to get better at connecting them-"theres someone in your building who is awesome at that!"
A3: I think building trust with parents helps in this process too, see that you are all on the side of the S
A4 My district has monthly meetings for parents to sit and talk, director of sped attends as well.
Virginia also has a great site https://t.co/pkEs7nPRUQ for students and parents that maximize involvement in student-centered IEPs
Will you be at ICASE next week?
Wow! That's great. Are they well attended?
I am registered...going to try. I have a few "fires" on my calendar so it depends
what a great thing to add to a student's ePortfolio especially those with an IEP goal setting
Q5: What are the most important things SpEd teachers can do to build strong relationships with families?
Haha! Yes. I had someone say "we know when it gets to you...you won't let it go!" Yep, that's true.
A5: Communicate with them. Listen when they have something to tell you. Show that you advocate for their child.
A3: Don't be afraid to talk w/ parents about why they disagree & share your reasons for IEP decisions.
A5: Love their kids. It's really that simple. When you care, it shows.
We use the curriculum in our classes too. Very useful!
A5 Include them! Explain disabilities in simple language and offer strategies. Work with, not against!
A5: Develop a bond with Ss and parents by talking often. Find the hidden talents in Ss and brag on them to parents. Share!
A4: Unfortunately I didn't have luck w/parent gp in small rural area. I welcome suggestions
A5: sharing progress and taking advantage of face-to-face time. Parents respond well to a reflection on their S's journey
A5: Listen. Observe. Get to know each student as an individual learner. Support students outside of school and be best cheerleader
Honestly, we didn't have good luck in an urban setting either. Would love to know what the magic key is!
A4: Bringing families together during events, and allowing open communication is a great way to build relationships!
A5: Listen, listen, and listen some more. Be honest and genuine to build trust.
So important to find strengths and what our Ss find interesting/relevant. Maybe no one else has https://t.co/JkLxEyTSZp
A5: Develop a bond with Ss and parents by talking often. Find the hidden talents in Ss and brag on them to parents. Share!
A5 Be honest and never forget that we are all working for the same goal.
A5: open door, listen, take them seriously and don't speak in Sped jargon!
Q4: If you develop rapport with the families, this may be easier to accomplish.
A5 Making sure parents feel involved in their children's education is vital, so they should be continuously updated on progress
Simple language is SO important. Don't leave anyone out of the loop! https://t.co/L6rTuhd6aE
A5 Include them! Explain disabilities in simple language and offer strategies. Work with, not against!
A5: Understand that as a parent, we worry about our kids. Alot. No matter who they are, they are on our minds& we want best for em
How often meetings are mired down with %ile ranges and such https://t.co/zUFzlxEk2x
A5: open door, listen, take them seriously and don't speak in Sped jargon!
Q6: Give your best advice to new SpEd teachers & SN parents for working together. What is #1 thing to remember/do?
A6: Don't wait to make that first parent contact when there's a problem. Contact them early on to establish a positive rapport.
A9: Parents are expert on child. Listen to them. Support them. Their wants/needs matter. Remember they are in this for life
A1 I use Remind app, phone, texts (though usually thru Remind) and notes home. I used to have a class FB page.
A5: Parents need to feel that you are open and available. Classroom dojo has some great features to help build that relationship
A6: Give parents a window into their child's education with tech or make initial contact for an open line of communication
A6 Both understand you have the child's best interest at heart and that a positive relationship with collaboration is crucial
A6: Share the positive with families. Celebrate often...even the little things. Social/emotional is just as important as academic.
A6: Be open-minded & try to see situation from Ps perspective. Build relationship w/positive communication, not just negative.
A6 Listen, share goals & dreams, make learning FUN so kids go home and can't wait to return the next day! 😄
A6: communicate, when there are issues discuss, and remember your goal is the kiddo!
A6 Always remember they are trusting us w/ their child's well-being and we may see their child more than they do.
A6: Good question? I am working on my M.Ed in Special Education, so this will be helpful in the future.
A6: If available use a blogging platform to share with parents. Getting a "like" from your parents is powerful reinforcement!
A6 I love the question as I am in school working to become a Special Education teacher. Any advice is needed!
Love this great conversation about parents! Families are so critical to our mission. BUT, have to cut chat short tonight. So...
Q7: What is your biggest take-a-way from tonight? What can we do to ensure families feel valued and respected?
I am familiar with Seesaw and am able to share with parents a link to only their Ss work
A7 I'm making a positive call home tomorrow and thanking the parent for sharing their child with me! ☺️
All the feels on this one! I love this. :)
Q7: Don't wait until there is a problem or an IEP is due to contact parents. Build your relationship with them on the positive.
A7 As Special Educators we NEED parents to do our job . We must work to ensure that we are all working together!
: A7: For me, just saying You Matter, Your Child Matters and we are on this journey together. And I won't give up. Ever.
A7: Must explore alternative ways to communicate with and include parents (Blogging or )
A7: Find a way to get parents involved in the IEP process other than typical "what are your concerns?"
A7: I am absolutely pumped for student-led IEP transition meetings to MS big thanks to all who shared ideas in regards to this!
Please report back to us at . Love to hear how it goes!
Yes! And get them to SEE how the process works!
A7: Every child is a gift in this world and it is a blessing to teach them.
Great idea! Let me know how this goes...I am interested.
A7: communicate and remember parents send their most valuable treasure to us everyday
A7: As a college student I have learned so much from this chat! I learned how vital communication and bonds with parents are.
Time to wrap up tonight! Thanks for the great dialogue & collaboration. Continue to use the hashtag as you finish your chats.
See you Tuesday, 10/4, at 9:00 pm EST for the next chat. Get excited because is joining us!! Don't miss this one!
I did this for MS to HS transition. Excellent feedback from parents and receiving Ts.
Thanks for moderating! Thank you all for a great Don't forget to follow people you have met here tonight! I am!
thanks for the encouragement. I hope my work with Ss reflecting on their learning this year prepares them!
Thank YOU for joining Tom! Love following you--such great insight. Hope to see you again for
I'm excited to co-moderate next week. Please join us! https://t.co/JB2UZI98IY
See you Tuesday, 10/4, at 9:00 pm EST for the next chat. Get excited because is joining us!! Don't miss this one!
I am always amazed by this . Thank you!! You all are changing the face of ! Have an amazing week!
I had a great time in the tonight! I learned a lot and will definitely be participating in future chats!
missed you tonight on Hope you're having a great week!
