Hey Special Education Teacher,

We made it to the end of another school year! But before we head into summer and start enjoying our time off, I’m taking some time to look back and reflect on this school year. I have found that taking this time to reflect has really helped me to grow in my career.

One thing I love to do at the end of the school year is to think back over the year and appreciate some of the amazing accomplishments my students and I achieved while also acknowledging some areas I can grow in for the upcoming year. So join me today as I share my top three highlights of this year as well as the three areas I’d like to improve on for next year. I hope this episode inspires you to reflect back on your year and appreciate what you’ve accomplished as well!

Take Care,

Michelle

Resources mentioned:

• Episode 88. 9 Tips on How to Lessen State Test Anxiety for Students with Special Needs!

Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

• Leave a 5 star review

Hey Special Ed Teacher,

You know that having students in the least restrictive environment is the law but have you found yourself wondering what it really means? 

If you’re like me, you probably learned about LRE in college but by the time you were in the classroom, you found it hard to remember all the details of the continuum of services. In today’s episode, I am sharing an overview of the ten different levels of supports a student with an eligibility can be placed on so you can be prepared when determining a student’s LRE.

Take Care,

Michelle

Resources mentioned:

• IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE! 

Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

• Leave a 5 star review

Hey Sped Teacher,

Have you found yourself scrambling at the end of summer to get everything ready for the new school year? Are you ready to get a head start on the next school year so you don’t end up stressed again?

We are all looking forward to resting and relaxing this summer! We definitely deserve it! But I’ve learned my lesson about waiting until the last minute to prepare for next school year. After a few years of waiting until the last minute to get things ready for the new school year, I decided I needed a new system that didn’t leave me scrambling. So although it seems far away, I am sharing the 4 things I’m doing to get ready for next school year to hopefully give you a head start on the new year as well!

Take Care,

Michelle

Resources mentioned:

• The Power of Our Words By Paula Denton, EdD

Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

• Leave a 5 star review

Hey Special Education Teacher,

Are you looking to find a better work and home life balance? Are you convinced that staying late and taking work home is just the way it is for teachers?

I spent several years staying after school for hours. I had no idea how to turn off work mode and felt like I had to do all the things! A few years down the road, I realized that I was not giving my family the attention they deserved and I needed to figure out how to get my work done at school and prioritize my life outside of school. If you find yourself struggling to find work-life balance, tune in as I share my tips for getting work done and turning off work mode once your work day is done!

Take Care,

Michelle

Resources mentioned:

• Episode 11. Set up These 4 Simple Organizational Tools as a Special Education Teacher!

Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

• Leave a 5 star review

Hey Sped Teacher,

Curious about what a veteran special education teacher wishes she knew before beginning her special education teaching journey? Do you wish you had insider knowledge before beginning your own journey as a special ed teacher?

I’m sure I am not alone when I say that after getting some experience as a new special education teacher, I found myself thinking about all the things I wished I had known before because I guarantee I am not the only one who felt thrown right into it all feeling completely unprepared. So to help out all the new (and even veteran!) special education teachers, I am sharing the one thing I wish I knew before becoming a special education teacher.

Take Care,

Michelle

Resources mentioned:

• IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE! 

Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

• Leave a 5 star review

Hey Special Education Teacher,

Feeling the pressure of the last month of the school year? Wondering how to keep students engaged during the last month of the school year?

We are entering the final stretch of the school year! But this last month of school always seems challenging. Between all the end of year tasks, maintaining student engagement, meetings, and feeling burnt out, the end of the year can be incredibly overwhelming! The good news is that it doesn’t need to be! In this episode, I am sharing 5 tips to help you not only survive, but thrive, during the last month of school!

Take Care,

Michelle

Resources mentioned:

• IEP Success Method: IEP 101 Course Waitlist - Get on the list HERE! 

Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

• Leave a 5 star review

Hey Sped Teacher,

Are you struggling to connect with your gen ed colleagues as a special education teacher? Do you want to collaborate with general ed teachers to better serve your students but aren’t sure where to start?

As our students’ case manager, we are to provide our students with the least restrictive environment. This means that we should be working closely with our general ed teachers to ensure our students with an IEP are getting the opportunity to be in their least restrictive environment. Unfortunately, I know I am not alone when I say I have experienced a fair amount of pushback from general ed teachers. If you’ve been there, be sure to tune in to this episode to hear seven ideas for collaborating with general ed teachers for our students with disabilities. 

Take Care,

Michelle

Resources mentioned:

• Episode 54.  Co-teaching Models: 6 Methods Used for Students With or Without Special Needs

Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

• Leave a 5 star review

Hey Special education Teacher,

Are you considering making a transition from SDC to RSP, or RSP to SDC? Have you wondered what the differences are between these positions?

In my 15 years of experience, I’ve spent 10 years as an SDC teacher before transitioning into my current role as an RSP teacher. I know that knowing and understanding the differences between these roles can be helpful when deciding which position is the best fit for you! So today, I am sharing the 7 biggest differences between the two positions as well as what I personally find to be the pros and cons for each. If you are considering making the transition from one position to the other, this episode is for you! 

Take Care,

Michelle

Resources mentioned:

• Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!

Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

• Leave a 5 star review

Hey Sped Teacher,

Do you have elementary or middle school students transitioning on to their next school? Are you unsure how to prepare for a transitional IEP meeting?

When students are moving from an elementary school to a middle school or a middle school to high school, it is crucial to have transitional IEPs to help with facilitating a smooth transition for your students with special needs. These transitional IEPs don’t need to be overwhelming, though! Whether you will be preparing your first transitional IEPs this year or have done them in the past and are looking for tips, tune in to hear how I ensure my transitional IEPs go smoothly!

Take Care,

Michelle

Resources mentioned:

• Download your FREE IEP Meeting Checklist HERE!

Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

• Leave a 5 star review

Hey Special Ed Teacher,

Are you looking for ways to help your students with special needs manage test anxiety? Do you want your students to be as relaxed and prepared as possible for state testing?

We all have students who overthink and stress out before tests. This can come out in a variety of ways including crying, attitudes, dropping to the floor, etc. This can be gut wrenching to see and seeing them look to you with overwhelm in their eyes when the tests begins is even worse! The good news is there are some proactive ways we can help our students feel less stress and anxiety when it’s time for state testing. Tune in to hear my top 9 tips for effectively helping students reduce state testing anxiety so they can feel more comfortable and at ease when testing time comes.

Take Care,

Michelle

Resources mentioned:

• Episode 84. State Testing Is Coming! How to Prep Now for the State Assessment

Connect with Michelle Vazquez:

• Leave a 5 star review