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...