Back to School
Check out these special ed teacher must haves to help you have the best year yet! As the start of a new school year approaches, educators might be scrambling to get prepared for the return of students and wonder what their special ed teacher must haves are. Yes, we all hope that we’re as ready as possible, but the fact is: No one ever feels 100% ready to begin a new teaching year, but these tips should help get ya started no doubt!
Summer’s End
If you hear me whining a little more in the coming days please be gentle. Summer is halfway over and I’m having a difficult time adjusting to that fact. But, I know that I need to put my big girl panties on and start preparing for what is to come. In truth, I miss my kiddos and my co-workers and I am looking forward to having a better routine again. So how do we get ready for the new year? What does back to school for special educators look like?
IEP Reviews
Getting ready for back to school for special education teachers must-haves doesn’t have to be difficult or even super time-consuming if you approach it in an organized way. The first step I have learned to take is to review all of the IEPs of my students. I always start with any students who are new to my caseload or my classroom. I pull out my Snapshots form, found in my Back to School Special Ed Bundle, and fill it out for each student.
This helps me plan my calendar of IEP meetings, who needs reevaluations, and what my student’s goals are for the year. I make sure to note everything in my Digital Planner so I can keep it all straight. One of the things that I include in this step of getting to know my students is communicating with their parents. It is so important to start communication with the parents of your students early. This is the next thing that I do on my back-to-school checklist. I have found that sending home my Meet the Case Manager page is the perfect introduction.
Paraprofessionals
As special educators, we are often lucky enough to have paraprofessionals in our classrooms. They can be such a huge asset to our student growth if we use them effectively. The next step in getting prepared for back to school is learning all the great strengths of your parapros. If you can find the areas where they really shine then your students will benefit.
Data Collection Notebooks
Before my students ever come through my classroom doors I am already thinking about their data. Data can be so overwhelming if we allow it to be. So as we get ready for back to school, I like to set up data collection notebooks. My data collection freebie is a great starting place for you. This is one of my favorites special education teacher must haves
Back To School Resources
Those first days of back to school come so fast! Having a few resources ready to go will make those days less chaotic. One of the favorites of my students is my digital escape rooms. I know that I can pull one of them out and get their attention in a snap. So when I need a minute of focus during the first week, I will for sure be using one of these. You also want to make sure that you have some get to know you activities ready for day one. Check out my previous blog posts for simple to use ideas- they are listed below.
5 Free resources To Get Your Year Started off right!
- Sign Language Poster
- Data Bulletin Board
- Digital Notebook- Daily planner
- Virtual Community Based Field Trip
- Data Collection Set Up Tutorial
Free Professional Development Podcast for special education teachers
Check out all the past episodes here
How do I become a special education teacher? How do I get everything with data collection done? Where do I start in mastering something? How do I become exceptional at one thing? How do I perfect a special education classroom? Welcome to Be The Exception Podcast where we will answer all these questions and so many more. Each episode, host Dawn Ellis will bring you productivity tips, mindset motivation, special education strategies, education hacks, and inspirational stories that can help you become the exceptional human you were meant to be. We all have something that comes naturally to us that others would love to know more about. So let’s start the conversation and learn from others, so we can grow together.
Join me as we wrap up 2024 and reflect on the biggest milestones of the year, both personally and professionally. From hitting 100K podcast downloads and seeing myself featured in Times Square to serving hundreds of special education teachers, this year has been filled with growth, learning, and a few surprises. Plus, get a sneak peek at what’s coming in 2025, including new resources, a fresh community platform, and much more! Let’s take a moment to celebrate YOU and everything we’ve accomplished together.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Business highlights of the year, including new launches and an exciting Times Square ad
Personal wins and adventures—beach trips, family memories, and a Kindle Paperwhite obsession!
A sneak peek at what 2025 has in store, including fresh resources and a new community platform
Fun behind-the-scenes stats: coffee, pencils, and Zoom calls
Links mentioned in the episode:
Free Christmas Adapted Book: Download Here
Winter Bundle: Shop Now
Join The Exceptional Collective: Join Here
Products perfect for back to school:
- Check them all out and more here in my TPT store
- Special Ed teacher stickers designed with you in mind! Check out these 10+ designs!
- Special Education Must Haves- Shopping List
- Check out these shopping lists for all my favorite items for special ed teachers
- Also check out the podcast for special education teachers. You can even subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episode. This is a must SPECIAL ED TEACHER MUST HAVES
Making Life Easier
As a Special Education Teacher, it feels like we send 100 emails in a week (and sometimes we probably do). There is always something that needs to be said to someone. I’ve created some email templates designed for the special education teacher. These are a time-saving hack…a simple copy and paste. The templates cover everything from being out sick to donation letters to changing your daily schedule. I’ve even included video directions for setting up the templates in your google account. It is just another way to make life easier for you as you head back to school.
You Got This!
Back to school time is basically here. I know that while there might be a tiny bit of sadness to giving up your restful days, there is also excitement there. With a little planning now and a small amount of time spent in the right places, you will be ready to face whatever comes your way. You got this!
Need More Back To School Support? Check out these 10 blog posts
- Tech tips and chrome extensions
- New Special Ed Teacher tips
- Setting up data systems and progress monitoring
- How to build rapport with families
- Using Board games in special ed
- Avoid the back to school blues
- Get To Know You Activities
- Special Education Teacher Digital Planner
- How to teach Community Based Instruction
- Student centered tips for special ed teachers
Let’s connect on Instagram. I want to hear all about how things are going and how I can help you the best and your SPECIAL ED TEACHER MUST-HAVES.
