Sheila – Medium

Feb 6

What is the Core Content Connectors and How I used it for ALL students with Learning Gaps

I was never a natural classroom teacher. But I survived and got the highest evaluation scores for several years because I focused on what I am good at: finding tools that will make my teaching life easier. One of that tool is called the Core Content Connectors or CCC. It…

2 min read

Feb 4

Meet the Student First before Thoroughly Reading their IEPs to be Avoid Unconscious Bias

I strongly believe it is better to meet your students before thoroughly reading their IEPs. Individualized Education Program or IEP tells you all about the background and services a student need. I used to read them before the school year starts to prepare myself and my classroom. …

2 min read

Feb 4

An Intervention Shortcut given to 1% of Student Population that can be used for ALL Students with Learning Gaps

🤫 There is an intervention shortcut that only a few teachers know about. 👉 It is called the Core Content Connectors. It’s supposed to help the severely disabled students, around 1% of the whole student population. It was federally funded and done by educational experts. 🤓 Let me tell you…

2 min read

Feb 2

Lack time to differentiate? Easy way for teachers to differentiate when they lack time.

Teachers are required to differentiate their lessons, but most lack time to do it. Here is an easy way to do it, from me, an experienced SPED teacher: use your senses. What your students SEE Look at your activity sheets. What do your students see? Is it full of text? …

2 min read

Feb 1

How I Lost My Identity then Recovered It to Experience the Best Teaching Years of my Life

I lost my identity when I was teaching in the classroom. I wanted to teach this way, but the district demanded that we teach another way. So I held my opinion and did what they wanted. And they demanded more and more until I gave up my voice. It took…

2 min read

Jan 30

One Way Educators can Solve Complex Problems in Schools

Teachers and school administrators are at their breaking point right now. 😰 They are overworked. 🥺 Their students need more than they can give. 😵‍💫 They are dealing with health, staffing and other issues. It seems easier to give up and just resign, which is what most educators are doing…

2 min read

Jan 28

One Reason Why I love Using the Hundred Board and Why You Should Too if You Have a Reluctant Math Student

Peter (not his real name) didn’t know how to add and subtract even though he was already in Middle School. He barely talked and English was not his native language. He had an intellectual disability. He did not want to do his Math activities. Yet after a few weeks with…

2 min read

Jan 27

One Cheap Tool that Parents & Teachers Should Use to Successfully teach Math Fundamentals

There is one math teaching tool that served me well in the classroom for 14 years. No, it is not an expensive computer program with monthly fees. No, it is not a Math intervention system that a company sold to my school. …

2 min read

Jan 25

3 Reasons Why Schools Should Utilize and Empower SPED

In almost all schools I taught, our Special Education (SPED) department is always at the sidelines. We are the last to get textbooks, after the regular classrooms, get theirs. Our students are sometimes forgotten in school-wide schedules and we had to remind people to include ours. We had to fight…

2 min read

Jan 24

Lesson Planning Short-Cut for Elementary SPED Self-Contained Teachers that Saves Hours of Prep-Time

Years ago, I was an elementary self-contained SPED teacher who has to teach all subjects except for PE or Arts. That means I have to prepare different lesson plans for each subject. Who has time for that? What can I do to lessen prep time but still give meaningful lessons? …

2 min read