Special ed teacher must-haves back to school edition

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

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.