There are many things I wish I would have known for my second year teaching. I know, I know, it says first year special education teachers, but almost all my lessons were learned my second year.

My first year teaching didn’t feel like a first year. I had interned and completed my student teaching at the school before starting my first year teaching there. My amazing CT had been at the school for eleven years and the special education team was solid. I knew exactly what I was doing. I didn’t even have to think about it because every thing was second nature. I had already been working with the majority of families I casemanaged so there was no need to build relationships. I had everything I needed including the people to ask if I wasn’t sure.

Fast-forward to October when I was transferred from being a middle school co-teacher (plus SEL teacher) to a 1st and 4th grade resource room at a school with a special education program in crisis. My second year teaching felt like my first year of teaching should have. Chaotic, confusing, full of non-stop trial and errors, tears, angry parents, angry teachers, sleepless nights… all of which could be summarized into learning as you go.

From that learning, I developed systems and strategies that made this year much smoother (even in the middle of total chaos). If you apply some of these strategies below, I am feeling hopeful that your first year teaching won’t have as many trial and errors! Don’t get me wrong! There is still going to be a lot, but you’re a teacher, you’ve got this!

technical solutions for baseline sanity!

establish a data system

Building a data system way more difficult than I had anticipated. Who knew there were so many considerations… When was it going to be collected? What tools do you need? How often? Where was it going to be stored? When would the data be analyzed? Who would collect the data? What about behavior data? What is an truly an “opportunity?” To be honest, I didn’t learn how to create and manage a data system in college. I would definitely ask your cooperating teacher what works for them and make it work for you. I’ve tried multiple digital strategies but the good ol’ 2 inch binder works best for me!

Academic Data

1) All students have progress monitoring binders with data-collection tools for each qualifying area. These binders are kept in our classroom on a shelf.
2) Data is collected every two weeks, on Wednesdays, and that group is built into my schedule.
3) I have a calendar posted in my classroom to remind me which Wednesdays I need to devote to data
4) I record their scores on an IEP progress monitoring score sheet
5) I analyze their data once a month and make changes to my instruction, content focus, or groups

Click here to download my academic template binder inserts! 

Behavior data

1) I have a personal behavior collection data that I keep behind my desk. It includes each student that qualifies for SEL, Social Skills, or Behavior, with IEP goal documentation sheets and any other resources or BIPS.
2) I have antidotal documentation sheets where I record every time something is reported to me about that student.
3) I chart their check-in/check-outs if applicable
4) I record notes, positive and negative, at the end of every day (this is a routine I’ve started this year and only takes like 10 minutes)
5) I analyze their data once a month and make changes to my instruction, content focus, or groups

Click here to download my behavior data binder inserts! 

Write an editable Casemanger Letter

This is the easiest way to start your relationship building with parents and/or guardians off to a great start. I wrote a universal template (and had it translated in Spanish) that introduces myself, my plan, shares the students IEP estimated date, contact information, and attach a parent survey.

Click here to download the editable casemanger letter I send home at the beginning of the year! 

IEP-at-a-glances + IEPs

IEPs are GIANT documents. There is no need to waste your time reading EVERYTHING in the evaluation report and the students IEP. One of my favorite ways to get to know a students IEP is by creating an IEP-at-a-glance. I give the IEP-at-a-glances to their general education teachers, specialists, admin, and any other supporting adult that might need to know the information. I don’t add a ton of detail, but enough for any adult to get an idea on how to meet the students needs. I will typically attached the IEP-at-a-glance on top of the complete IEP.

IEP resources can be found here 🙂

Schedules

I honestly don’t have much advice for schedules… it’s something I’m still trying to figure out and it’s May…Schedules also differ hugely on your schools master schedules, district rules, and students IEPS… this is a component that I don’t think we will ever had a solid answer too. However, each of my students has a desk schedule for when they work with me (and location) and an accompanying pass. I have to update them every time my schedule changes, which is monthly, but it’s a great support for them and their general education teachers.

Create your own special education lesson planner

I am a huge fan of Erin Condren planners, in fact I use one every day, but it’s set up for general education teachers. Special education groups can be totally complex. Pull-out, push-in, or co-taught? What’s the location? What is another kid is blowing out? What materials do you need? But my schedule always changes… It’s pure craziness to try to find a planner that meets our needs. I create my own and adjust it accordingly. My instruction and classroom management is so much stronger when I remember to be intentional with my lessons. Don’t worry– lesson planning isn’t like they teach you in graduate school! Here is an example AND editable template for what I use!

Tools from your teacher preparation program to keep

For the first couple months, I had an IEP template that I would refer to when writing IEPs (same with behavior intervention plans, too!) Any physical books that support IEPs, BIPS, or instruction, I would definitely keep in your classroom. Honestly, digital files are great and all, but out of sight out of mind. If you have great digital files from graduate school, I highly recommending printing and putting things in a binder. I’m starting to sound old fashion or like a wasteful paper person, but being a special education teacher requires a high level of multi-tasking and constant thinking. Having visual reminders about tools, such as textbooks, will help you remember to use them when you get stuck.

Just last week I was referencing a differentiated math instructional textbook that I hadn’t opened in years. I couldn’t find anything on google and during my space out, saw my textbook. I opened it and to my surprise… It had exactly what I needed. When in doubt, refer to your textbooks 🙂

The first year of being a special education teacher can be (and should be) full of trial and error. You are about to learn so much about students, education, and yourself. I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU! For additional resources that I use, be sure to check-out my teacher tools section. If you have any questions, leave me a comment or shoot me an e-mail! I look forward to hearing from you!

Go-to books from graduate school: writing better, elementary and middle school math, culturally response teaching & the brain, and thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Happy first year teaching (or building strong systems for a fantastic year)!