The Ultimate Classroom Behavior Management Toolkit: Strategies and Free Printables for Teachers Classroom behavior management is one of the biggest challenges teachers face. Whether you’re in general education or special education, disruptive behavior can quickly derail learning. The good news? With the right tools in place, you can prevent many issues before they even start and teach students positive strategies for managing their own behavior. Why a Behavior System Works Better Than a Chart Traditional behavior charts often single out students without teaching them replacement skills. A complete system, on the other hand, focuses on: Prevention: Setting clear expectations, routines, and positive incentives Management: Providing calming strategies and reflection tools Instruction: Teaching conflict resolution and self-regulation skills Must-Have Tools for Behavior Success Here are some teacher favorites you can use tomorrow: Calming Corner reflection sheets and mo...

Navigating the Special Education Referral Process: A Step-by-Step Guide Understanding the referral process for special education is crucial for educators, parents, and school staff. This guide provides a clear overview of each step, from identifying concerns to determining eligibility, ensuring that every student receives the support they deserve. 1. Identifying the Need for Referral The journey begins when a teacher or parent observes that a student is struggling academically or behaviorally. It's essential to document specific concerns, such as: Persistent difficulties in reading, writing, or math Challenges in social interactions or communication Emotional or behavioral issues affecting learning Once concerns are identified, it's beneficial to utilize structured tools to document and communicate these observations. The Special Education Pre-Referral Student Assistance Team Forms can assist in this process, providing a standardized approach to recording and sharing...

Back-to-School Survival Guide for Special Education Teachers: Tools, Tips, and Must-Have Resources Back-to-school season is here! For special education teachers, it’s a whirlwind of IEPs, schedules, student needs, and a classroom that somehow has to run smoothly on day one. The key to starting strong isn’t just hard work - it’s having the right tools and systems in place. In this guide, I’m sharing my ultimate back-to-school toolkit for special education teachers. These are the resources I personally rely on to save time, stay organized, and start the year confident. Plus, I’ll share classroom essentials from Amazon that make teaching easier and help you create a functional, stress-free space. Whether you’re a first-year teacher or a seasoned pro, these tips and resources will set you up for your smoothest school year yet. 1. Start with a Back-to-School To-Do List When everything feels urgent, it’s hard to know where to start. The best thing you can do is focus on what actually...

  Beginning-of-the-Year To-Do List for Special Education Teachers:  What You  Actually  Need to Start Strong The beginning of the school year hits differently when you’re a Special Education teacher. While everyone else is sharpening pencils and arranging flexible seating, you’re juggling IEPs, compliance deadlines, behavior plans, and a hundred tiny details no one sees—but that make all the difference for your students. Sound familiar? Whether you’re brand new to the role or a seasoned SPED pro, the beginning of the year can feel like sprinting a marathon. That’s why I’ve created a clear, actionable  Beginning-of-the-Year To-Do List for Special Education Teachers —so you can stop spinning your wheels and start the year with purpose and confidence. And yes—it’s  totally free . 👇 Grab your free checklist here: 🔗  Beginning of the Year SPED To-Do Checklist (FREE on TPT) Why You Need a Specialized To-Do List as a SPED Teacher Special Education teachers ...

How to Write SMART IEP Goals: A Quick & Easy 8-Step Formula for Special Educators Let’s be honest—Special Education teachers love working with students. Helping them learn, grow, and reach their goals is the most rewarding part of the job. But the paperwork? Not so much. If you've ever volunteered to cover recess duty, sharpen pencils, or—let’s be real—even taken a bathroom break just to avoid writing IEP goals, you're not alone. Writing IEPs can feel overwhelming and tedious, even for seasoned educators. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right tools and structure, IEP goal writing becomes straightforward—and dare I say—manageable! That’s why I created my go-to strategy: the SMART IEP Goal Formula. It’s simple, effective, and it actually makes writing goals feel doable (yes, really). Ready to change how you feel about IEP goals? Let’s dive into this step-by-step formula that breaks everything down. STEP 1: Identify the Goal Areas Start with...

    3 Steps for Effective Reading Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities Have you found yourself endlessly designing reading lesson plans, analyzing student data, and feeling like there must be a better way? Trust me, I've been there. But fear not! I'm here to share my secrets for teaching reading to students with learning disabilities. Get ready to save time, implement effective strategies, and witness your students thrive as readers. In my 20s, I spent countless hours sitting on the floor of my living room, designing and redesigning lesson plans. Determined to become an expert in reading instruction, I pursued certification as a Dyslexia practitioner. Now, I'm excited to pass on my knowledge and provide you with a three-step approach grounded in the Science of Reading. Step 1: Build a Student Profile Become an expert on your students' reading skills by constructing comprehensive student profiles. Assess all five pillars of reading—phonemic awareness, phon...

  Welcome to Miss Rae’s Room – Special Education & Reading Strategies Blog Welcome to Miss Rae’s Room , your go-to resource for practical strategies in Special Education , teaching reading , and supporting students with learning disabilities .  If you are an educator, parent, or specialist looking for effective ways to improve reading skills, write strong Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) , and build inclusive, high-impact classrooms , you’ve come to the right place. What You’ll Find Here Step-by-step guides for teaching reading using research-based methodologies. Strategies for supporting students with learning disabilities in general and special education settings Tips for writing effective, compliant, and student-centered IEPs Ideas for creating inclusive classrooms that maximize student engagement and success Resources and lesson plans tailored for educators working with struggling readers Resources Looking for ready-made teaching resourc...