#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 May 24, 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.
This propensity for selection.
Jodi from Indiana. SpEd teacher in alternative HS setting & private AT/AAC consultant.
Hi everyone! My name is Emma. I am from Thunder Bay, ON and currently am a Masters program and a supply teacher
Sierra, special ed major at Ohio University.
Hi!! Tonya from Indiana. Director and I are excited to welcome everyone to the last of the school year!
Hi Sierra! Welcome back to .
Welcome to the last of the year! Thanks for joining!
Thanks! Glad to be back one last time.
Hi Emma! Thanks for joining tonight.
Thanks for joining us for the last ! :)
Emily ocs in nc. Can't believe the school year is almost over!
thanks . Oh no! the last one? When do they start again and thanks
Glad to be here. Thanks for moderating!
Tonight's will be celebrating & reflecting on year’s best moments in your role! Looking forward to hearing your stories!
Chloe from Barrie, ON I am a masters of education student
Hi Jill Dir sped from upstate Ny
Thanks for joining tonight!
Hi ! I'm Danielle from Indianapolis. Sped coordinator at
Taking our summer break...we will be back in August!
& I will post questions as Q1, Q2, etc.. Tweet your response w/A1, A2, etc. Don't forget to add to each tweet!
Hey Jill. Thanks for joining us for tonight.
Hi Emma nice to meet you. What is a supply teacher?
Hey Danielle! Can't wait to hear about your travel adventures. Thanks for joining
Q1: What is the BEST thing about your role or job? Why do you show up every day? What makes the hard stuff worth doing?
supply teacher is occasional/substitute teacher - I get calls to come in for teachers who cannot be in class that day
Hi all! Sorry I am late:) Britt, sixth special education teacher in Massachusetts…
I love that our schools give a second chance.
A1: those lightbulb moments and developing rapports. I show up b/c I love the satisfaction I get from helping others
A1: My students are actually awesome and interesting to hang out with. I love going to work everyday!
A1: Best part of my job is seeing my kiddos succeed when it's not their normal experience & then their attempts at nonchalance! :)
A1: also dressing up the nines :P
A1: . Hands down the people I work with every day and their commitment to the students we serve.
A1 When I get to help a child have the aha moment. When the child finally understands a concept it is the most incredible feeling
Q1. Hard. Love the challenge students bring. Want to see them successful.
A1: In the classroom, Ss depend on me. On campus, I will learn something to help my Ss learn more about their world.
Really? My favorite day is jeans day!!! :)
Hey Britt. Thanks for joining us for
A1 seeing the kids making progress in programs and goals during the year.
Q1. I started at a new school this year. Felt like a freshman by the end of the week I knew I made a great choice. It's family.
Q2: Tell your greatest success w/Ss this year. What will you remember as THE moment of the 15-16 school year?
A1: When kids say hi to me in the hallways :)
When I first started teaching, I had denim jumpers w/matching holiday sweaters & socks. I was THAT teacher. ;)
A1: the best part of my job is helping children feel like a gift in this world because to me...they are❤️
I started in a new job this year, too. It's like being a first-year teacher all over again, isn't it?!?
A1 Helping those children with rough home situations feel loved and cared for.
LOVED my prof who wore Star wars tank with skirt and kitten heels
A2: It sounds ridiculous but one of my students has actually started bringing a pencil to class & I am stoked about it
A2. Hands down helping 4 of my students be accepted to college
These "small" victories are sometime the BIG moments. Celebrate them all!!
A2: In tutoring when Ss tell me they got A's for their test
Every victory is major with some kids!! If mine brought pencils, I'd probably faint.
This is so true! So many children need someone to make them feel this way!
A2: The moment when Ss are excited to see me come in and will leave me with a giant group hug. :-)
A2: Biggest LEARNING moment -- never be afraid to ask admin for help
yes it is and the new kid...
A2 Helping a child understand fractions in a way they never did before.
Q3:What are you MOST proud of doing/accomplishing this year? Personal or professional. This is an invitation to high-five yourself
A2: A student wrote us a letter that he didn't feel smart until he came into our class and now he knows HE IS!💞
A2: Best moment was the one 10 consecutive minutes this year when everyone in class was helping each other & not fighting.
A2 realizing during the year that we were serving 95% of our school age Ss with disabilities in district and doing a great job
A3: Breaking through my anxiety from leaving the school
Congratulations..when you say "All means ALL" you mean it!
A3: Personally, I have one child finishing up an HVAC program and my baby is graduating next week!
A2. One of my former students is in her second year at Vincennes and is an RA!!
A3: I was pushed way outside my comfort zone this year & learned a lot about parts of SpEd I never really knew existed/happened.
A3: I am most proud of how our students gave back to the community with monthly kindness projects. https://t.co/ZUMCZtldV7
Right there is the power of a educator who cares and wants to help children be a success.
A3: Professionally, my two teams, aide, & I have given 26 Ss with various special needs a great sixth grade year!
thank you! You know it! 👊
A3: This was my first year in classroom as T; I've learned more about myself, my T philosophy, what I want to do in my classroom.
A3. Taking on a new position and changing it for the better and given the opportunity to help outside of the classroom
A2: I have to pick ONE exciting thing?! Probably that several from my caseload are graduates this year!!!
I didn't say I WANTED to know about them. I'm now an expert at expulsion hearings and Determination of Pattern MDs.
Q4: What have you gained most from & new additions to your this year? Favorite things? Most-used new resource?
Q4: What have you gained most from & new additions to your this year? Favorite things? Most-used new resource?
A3 Finishing my first year of my masters with first class standing after struggling with a disability for so long.
YES!! Watching someone grab their second chance is amazing! It's why we do it.
That's such a great feeling! Congratulations!!
It's all a walk in the park after your first year! Congratulations!! https://t.co/vBeeIlJ60w
A3: This was my first year in classroom as T; I've learned more about myself, my T philosophy, what I want to do in my classroom.
A4, all of the great website from last week!
A4: that Twitter's a welcoming community! The many resources for new ideas in class . Twitter's now on & investigating others.
A3. Personally having a support system near and far as I embarked on some professional changes 💞
A4: I have gained a network of dedicated educators that reinforce what I am doing and why I am doing it, so thank you all
A4 There are so many wonderful educators out there who have a true passion for helping children
I totally agree! The technology resource spreadsheet is an daymaker for sure!!!
A4: I have gained a community of Ts who are willing to show me the realities of teaching, not just the ideals.
A3 Learning most of the students names K-12 after having the job for a year. Chairing all CSE/504 mtg myself over 250 this year
Q4: Having an incredible network of professionals who are committed to serving students.
Q4: Having an incredible network of professionals who are committed to serving students.
You are seriously like the best teacher on the entire planet. I adore you. For real.
A4 gained a support system that I didn't know was out there as a newbe to chat THANKS
That's incredibly admirable!!! You are a rock star in my book! That's the kind of director I love working for!!
Sorry, I should've added that I was observing. Not actually teaching for another couple years.
Q5: What was the best training, PD, workshop, or other new "thing" you discovered this year that you use, love, & want to share?
A4 loved the chat about utilizing and team building with TAs. Lots of ideas for PD
A4. All the websites from last week. Confession: now I'm always looking for this hashtag
A little late but I'm here! Brooke from Indiana
Hey Brooke! Just jump on in ...we are celebrating and sharing!
A5: Taking Gender and Identity social Justice course and Social Justice courses in general. Super eye opening.
Totally agree --very big topic and important one.
A5: Google everything. Docs. Sheets. Slides. Forms. Sites. EVERYTHING.
A5: I discovered Bluford series of novels for HS Ss. Free audio online. Low lexile. High interest. LOVE! https://t.co/q2uhCgheD5
A5: “Most Likely To Succeed” film by Ted Dintersmith.. It revitalized me as an educator/ put testing on the back burner Well done
Google all the things. All. The. Things. (Sorry, that was my brain's response to your tweet.) :D
Thanks for sharing this. I am going to check this out.
A5: I'm going to in July. I have discovered Twitter chats this year. There are so many to choose from!
A4: Expanded my PLN by participating in
thank you. It was the only way to know all Ss and families personally, know all needs and build relationships
A5 Twitter my PLN is amazing and the resources they provide are incredible.
These may seriously be the greatest discovery of my teaching career. My Ss (all expelled HS teens) are now readers!
Q6: What tough lesson was learned the hard way & shaped your practice/approach as professional? (Any spectacularly epic fails?)
A5 Twitter chats, more info on google drive, and coding
A5: Hands down Blended Learning Conference by was my favorite PD experience this year!
A1: Best part of my job is helping Ts grow who in turn help sts grow!
YES! I totally agree with you.
A 6. Sometimes you have to act first and apologize later
considering most of mine hate to read or can't I'm sharing this with my EC T's. Thanks
A6: My year was so filled w/epic fails. I was like a walking, talking learning experience of not killing me & making me better!
A6: I've noticed that I tend to try to do everything, leaving Ss bored. Need to let go & let Ss help with the classroom.
your brain knows what's up.
The guys love them most. They beg me to put the audio versions on their cell phones to listen at home now. Really good!
A5 Rick Wormeli on grading and redos, TCI, Better ideas for Response to Intervention
A6: That Ss will take advantage of your trust and Ts need to report to admin
A6: I learned that like my Ss, I can only do the best that I can do & sometimes it isn’t enough..but I keep trying.
A5: I participated in the SEPIP through .Great PD and resources!
I saw him speak and had lunch w/him last summer! I LOVE him & everything he has to say!!!
I have to leave early but thank you for the wonderful chat!
A6: This year my goal was listening with focus & intent. It's really challenging but and kids notice it!
I hate those kinds of lessons. Sorry you had to learn it. :(
--Check it out! Brooke did this. :)
Thanks for joining ! Hope to see you again in August!
A6: Experienced my first complaint and mediation. It was tough but came out better after the fact.
Thanks - they did suck. But now I know their trade secrets
I am going to my first edcamp 07/11 also in Ny, looking forward to it.
Q7: Do you have a favorite story from this year? May not be inspirational, but what stands out? Remember, we all "get it." :)
I was hired into a due process & mediation several years ago. Learned a ton & am MUCH better for it. Rough at time!!
A6: I openly share my mistakes with students and model how I revise my thinking. It's a reality so why not talk about & model it
we had him in district for our entire staff one day and had lunch. I wish we could have had 2 more days!
Thanks! Enjoy your summer as well.
A7: 1st day teaching in alternative HS, found self saying, "Please remove your hand from her bra & return it to computer mouse."
Hey & !
Pls share this with anyone interested in teaching STEM! https://t.co/KGvvoHJUBp
Come to this Thursday at 9pm EST
will be our host!
https://t.co/R8JS3bRElU
Our next chat is this week on Thursday. We are talking about STEM activities for the math classroom
A7: Received a graduation announcement for a Ss from my MS teaching days...who wasn't supposed to live this long. Oh the feels!
A7 a Ss of mine was impressed I wasn't going to leave (I'm originally from pa)
A7: We were doing a lesson on Anne Frank. I had Ss write what they learned. S, “Anne moved to Brooklyn & got married.”
A7: I made the mistake of grouping a few boys together for a quick test review. Wasn't so quick. Or even on topic. Oh well.
He's just fantastic! And hilarious & entertaining, which makes him enjoyable to learn from!
A7 can't forget all the hs events-homecoming pep rallies prom graduation
That lesson went well. ;) Fellow teacher's Ss were telling me they learned about bootyism in class! https://t.co/z165r9pXiT
A7: We were doing a lesson on Anne Frank. I had Ss write what they learned. S, “Anne moved to Brooklyn & got married.”
Q8: It’s time to thank someone who has inspired you, taught you something, or supported you this year! Thank away!
My favorite moment this year was accepting an award for district employee of the year.And thanking SO many https://t.co/FZgsZ2Xwys
Mr. Jingleheimer-Schmidt was calling me as we started this chat tonight. The stories follow me!!
wow. That's truly amazing! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I looked at my side and I said, “Is it wrong that this is the best thing I have seen today?” The other Ss helped fix
Q8: . I have to THANK the amazing team who keep things running. Without them....
A8: Ty to family & friends for support. Ty professors for encouraging, supporting & engaging me into their class
A8: HUGE thanks to for doing pretty much ALL prepwork for chats this year as I was totally overwhelmed in new job!
A7: our students set up their own culture lunch and invited all the staff. We had food from all over the world!
A8 and girls, family, southern family, friends, & new coworkers. Lastly my guardian angel 🙏👼🏻
A8: Thanks to Mrs. McCarthy for letting me into her classroom this spring and for supporting me this school year!
I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else! :)
A8: I am thankful for my family because the have inspired me, supported me, and given me so much that I hope to return to others
A7 senior dropped out 2nd semester couldn’t handle the stress if school, saw her Friday big hug & "I got my Ged thanks "
It happens to everyone. I just talk about the stuff normal people would pretend never happened! ;)
A8: huge thank you to my director for supporting all my crazy ideas and letting me take chances right from day 1
A8: When giving shout outs to our coworkers this week, I couldn’t function w/o my custodian.. He lets me in my room
I am thankful for my children because they help me know & feel what it's like to be loved unconditionally https://t.co/0MjpJzvqlJ
A8: Thank you all of the amazing TOR's who are changing the lives of SS every day. I am honored to be on your team.
A8 Big thank you to my family for helping out with kids and Twitter chats for PD and motivation after difficult days.
A8: A big thanks to for welcoming me and showing me the way!
I am thankful for amazing coteachers and who inspire and uplift me daily!!!
Mine knows I freeze to death & steals space heaters from other Ts & fires them up in my room b4 school on cold days!
Q9: List a professional goal for yourself for next year. What goal do you have related to expanding PLN & knowledge?
A8: I have to thank my family for supporting me through a very rough year! Hard to not bring work stress home.
Leadership can be lonely. Having a support system is so critical!
A9: To partake in any AQ course that specializes in mental health or ESL focus.
A9: Get myself to do more than observe in classrooms. Gets me out of my comfort zone & I gain confidence in my own abilities.
A9. One goal is to have a better understanding of ENL procedures and strategies
Umm..yes, please. Me too!
A9: I'm signed up to finally take ATP certification exam. The last exam prep books/materials arrived today. I'm really doing it!
A9: I would like to learn basic phrases in all the languages my Ss speak. Working on ASL now!
A9 read at least 2 pd novels and choose at least one thing from each to apply
A9: Huge Goal: Take and score well on the GRE. Next up: Doctoral work.
A9: I'm starting a new job next year & want to introduce my new colleagues to Twitter and start local chats
family support is a lifeline!!!
A9: would also love to increase my knowledge of the mental health world
A9: I am going to try and remain organized throughout the year (at least past September), read ‘neurodiversity’ & a PD book club
A9: Organize my Google Drive
We'll be waiting for them with open arms!! (Congrats on the new job, too! Good luck!!)
I'm hoping to present PD and inspire others
THEN you can teach all of us! :)
Organize all pd for the year before sept 1
HAHAHA.. Well, it should be at the top but we have this love/hate and I don't want to push it.
I do private AT/AAC consulting for agencies & clients outside the school setting. I don't do AT for my school job.
Perfect! We have a total of 42 languages right now I think so get ready!
Q10: How do you plan to spend summer break? Relaxing, lesson-planning, trying new ideas? How do you refresh, renew, & recharge?
Challenge Accepted. You in?
I organized my Google Drive last year. It was amazing. Better than a closet just for shoes!
Q10 time w family, welcome my niece , cruise and knit
A10: Soaking up the sun w/my family!
A10: Spending first half of summer taking a class, whole summer in PT internship, probably relaxing the rest of the time b4 fall.
A10: Relax, travel, kayak, camp..... and 2 summer courses.
A10: Focus on family time, vacation, book groups, summer meet-ups, and finally time for ME!
A10: Procuring my beach pass this weekend, bartending twice a week, heading to Puerto Rico, and sending my girl to college!
Great questions. Joining too late.
I do whatever someone asks me to do. I'm wanting to move into an AT-specific job eventually.
A10: This is my first summer off since 2011! Going to finish building closet & living room! Landscape! Sleep! Do all the things!!
A10 how could I forget reading!!!
Any recommendations for a good summer conference besides ISTE?
Time to wrap up another great ! Thanks for sharing your stories & goals. Continue to use the hashtag as you finish chatting.
Are there any EdCamps in your area? Heard they're pretty awesome.
I AM SO EXCITED!!!! I'll probably just spin in circles & accomplish nothing in my excitement at having a break!
Thanks for an awesome chat & and everyone else. Happy Summer and hope to see u all in Aug!
We will storify tonight's & post so you can catch any missed tweets or stories & deliver delayed virtual high-fives to your !
Everyone have a great end of the year and wonderful, safe, blessed summer. Thinking of all of you! Looking forward to fall
This is the last of the year! We wish you a wonderful summer!! We will be back in August!
sounds like me on a daily basis 👊
. Im an organizer of EdcampBoston and EdCampAccess. Have been to over 20 of them. They are awesome.
Take care, everybody!! See you in September!!
