Teachers Must Ensure Equity and Inclusion for Their Students with Disabilities Students in wheelchairs “Hi, I’m Kelly, the district physical therapist,” I say as I walk into the classroom. “I emailed a couple of days ago, but I’m sure you’re absolutely swamped with email right now.” “I’m here because you have Aiden* in your class […]
Special Education
Posted inOpinion
Want to Keep Special Education Teachers? Try Mentorship
“[O]ne of the most vital ways we sustain ourselves is by building communities of resistance, places where we know we are not alone.” -bell hooks Isolation island seems to be the name of the game when you enter into the special education profession. It’s often a sink or swim mentality which results in teacher retention […]
Posted inOpinion
Our Son’s Paraprofessional Changed Our Lives. Paraprofessionals Deserve Higher Pay.
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! A few days into this school year, I received a text from my husband. It was short, simple, and straight to the point: “It’s amazing the difference a qualified and responsible one-on-one aide makes in the lives of a […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Five Picture Books Students Will Love for Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! I remember sending my son to his first day of school with his new glasses. My anxiety was high, worrying about what the other students would say to him and how their comments would make him feel. Would they […]
Posted inOpinion
Being a Black Woman in Special Education is Traumatic. But We Can Change That
Education: To work in special education is never an easy feat. However, “educating within special education as a Black Woman is downright traumatic.” I thought this recently as I stood in the classroom, recalling countless conversations I’d had with my special education colleagues. Black students are referred and assigned to special education restrictive programming at a […]
Posted inOpinion
Where Are All the Teachers of the Deaf?
Facing a Crisis for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students and the Profession Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Teachers continue to leave the educational profession at alarming rates – further exacerbating the teaching shortage in schools across the country. Under overwhelming teaching conditions, those who remain […]
Posted inPedagogy
Co-Create a Student Contract with Eight Questions
Voices off and eyes on me, in three, in two, and one. The class expectation is 100% engagement while the teacher gives the ‘stand and deliver’ routine for an hour. G is taking notes in her binder. And she is one of three students who’s raising her hand and adding insight to the conversation. She […]
Posted inAsk the Educator's Room
Ask The Educator’s Room: Violent Students and A Harassing Parent
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Welcome to The Educator’s Room advice column for teachers! Today we’re helping a teacher who’s less than excited about teaching a former student. We’re also helping a teacher who is trying to support trans and gender non-conforming students at […]