Help for Special Educators
43 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratingsHosted by Lisa Goodell, the goals of this podcast are to EQUIP special ed teachers with ideas and solutions, as well as bring the global special ed teaching community together so we can learn from each other. (So far it has been heard in over 50 countries!) Get all the Show Notes and links at https://LISAGOODELL.COM/PODCAST
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Advice for Teachers New to AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
July 26, 2022 04:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBAre you a teacher who needs advice on getting started with AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)? My guest, Heather Cacioppo, and I have been in your shoes and will help answer your questions and give you the next steps to pursue. This episode gives a quick introduction to AAC for teachers just getting a student with a communication device and don't know where to start. (We've been in your shoes!) Today I have a conversation with Heather Cacioppo of the Teachers Pay Teachers st...
Strategies to Improve One-Handed Scissor Skills
May 02, 2022 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBIn this podcast episode, I will share strategies to improve one-handed scissor skills, which is helpful when a child cannot use one hand/arm due to weakness, paralysis, missing fingers, etc. First I go over some strategies for beginning cutters, whether the child has a weakness/disability with a hand/arm or not. Then I go over strategies and adaptations for holding the paper and rotating paper when cutting with one hand. Finally, I also talk a little bit about adaptive scissors. Bonus: May...
Morning Meeting Ideas for Multi-Age Classes
November 27, 2021 05:00 - 11 minutes - 7.6 MBThink out the box to make morning meetings work for everyone in your special ed class. We are close to the middle of the school year so I thought I would discuss morning meetings in multi-grade self-contained classes. By this time of year, you might have gotten more students, with more grade levels, and are finding that your morning meeting activities don't meet the needs of all of your students anymore. So you need to make changes. I taught mild/moderate self-contained classes for years ...
How to Survive Taking a Sick Day
October 27, 2021 05:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBHow can we better prepare students for when the teacher or other staff member takes a sick day? Many special ed teachers say they cannot stay home for even a day because of the interruptions it will cause in their class. Not to mention the fact that the school might not even be able to find a substitute teacher when they need a sick day. In this podcast episode, we are going to talk about why you shouldn’t feel guilty when you need to take a sick day from school (even if the 2021-22 schoo...
Wheelchair Costumes
October 16, 2021 06:00 - 10 minutes - 7.4 MBHave you seen or heard of wheelchair costumes where a child's wheelchair (or other mobility device) is turned into part of the costume? Well, it’s October 15th, and many kids have probably already planned out their Halloween costumes. But what about kids who use wheelchairs? Do they feel like they can't join in the festivities because they are in a wheelchair? Well, I believe that with a little cardboard, paint, tape, and creativity they can turn their wheelchair into part of their costume...
Puberty and Sexuality in Special Education Classes
October 03, 2021 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBToday we’re going to tackle a tough topic: Puberty and Sexuality in Special Education Classes. We will look at several real-life scenarios teachers face and how to respond! However, if you think that topic doesn't apply to your grade levels or student population, think again. (I learned a lot I didn't know in this episode!) My guest, Dr. Rachel Schwartz, helps us to understand that sex ed starts with how we build trust with even our youngest students. All humans are sexual beings, whether t...
Harvey Korman's Legacy Lives on Through His Son
June 14, 2021 07:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBThe Emmy and Golden Globe winner Harvey Korman was a staple on the Carol Burnett Show making America laugh in the 1960s and 1970s. During that time he was also raising a family, including his son, Christopher, who had a learning disability and speech impediment. In this episode, you will learn how Harvey Korman's legacy lives on through his son and their contributions to the special education community. Special Educators will hear about techniques Chris learned from his dad and the theater t...
Schedules and Lesson Plans for Moderate/Severe Classes
March 26, 2021 07:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBIn Part 2 of my interview with Emma Haring, we discuss schedules and lesson plans for moderate/severe classes. Emma gives some great ideas on how to write everything out so all adults and visitors know what is going on with her students who may be medically fragile in a multiple disabilities classroom. She gives ideas on how to set up your schedule and remember to include everything on it. In fact, she created a freebie to help teachers out as a supplement to the podcast episode. There are...
Tips for Teaching Students with Multiple Disabilities
March 21, 2021 02:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBIn Part 1 of this two-part series, Emma Haring and I discuss tips for teaching students with Multiple Disabilities. Emma has been a teacher in this type of class (we called it a medically fragile class in our district) for many years. She has a ton of experience and wisdom that she shares generously! In Part 1 (Episode 25), she gives a lot of tips on how to discover what your students like and dislike, how to care for them as people, and how to give them a voice (even if they are nonverbal)....
#24.10 Activity 10 Prayer/Silence: Ten Ways to Relieve Stress in 1 Minute
January 18, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.7 MBThis activity was originally a segment of Episode 24. I am publishing each one separately so you can access individual activities easier. It is really important to do simple but effective self-care tasks each day to relieve stress and avoid teacher burnout. The activities in this series take one minute or less. They are designed to help you stop, and refocus - for only a minute. Repeat as needed throughout your day. "Activity 10: Prayer/Silence" can be done alone, with your family, co-...
#24.9 Activity 9 Pets: Ten Ways to Relieve Stress in 1 Minute
January 17, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.59 MBThis activity was originally a segment of Episode 24. I am publishing each one separately so you can access individual activities easier. It is really important to do simple but effective self-care tasks each day to relieve stress and avoid teacher burnout. The activities in this series take one minute or less. They are designed to help you stop, and refocus - for only a minute. Repeat as needed throughout your day. "Activity 9: Pets" can be done alone, with your family, co-workers, o...
#24.8 Activity 8 Appreciate Yourself: Ten Ways to Relieve Stress in 1 Minute
January 16, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.55 MBThis activity was originally a segment of Episode 24. I am publishing each one separately so you can access individual activities easier. It is really important to do simple but effective self-care tasks each day to relieve stress and avoid teacher burnout. The activities in this series take one minute or less. They are designed to help you stop, and refocus - for only a minute. Repeat as needed throughout your day. "Activity 8: Appreciate Yourself" can be done alone, with your famil...
#24.7 Activity 7 Joy Givers: Ten Ways to Relieve Stress in 1 Minute
January 15, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.63 MBThis activity was originally a segment of Episode 24. I am publishing each one separately so you can access individual activities easier. It is really important to do simple but effective self-care tasks each day to relieve stress and avoid teacher burnout. The activities in this series take one minute or less. They are designed to help you stop, and refocus - for only a minute. Repeat as needed throughout your day. "Activity 7: Joy Givers" can be done alone, with your family, co-worke...
#24.6 Activity 6 Look: Ten Ways to Relieve Stress in 1 Minute
January 14, 2021 09:00 - 3 minutes - 2.72 MBThis activity was originally a segment of Episode 24. I am publishing each one separately so you can access individual activities easier. It is really important to do simple but effective self-care tasks each day to relieve stress and avoid teacher burnout. The activities in this series take one minute or less. They are designed to help you stop, and refocus - for only a minute. Repeat as needed throughout your day. "Activity 6: Look" can be done alone, with your family, co-workers, or...
#24.5 Activity 5 Today's Simple Accomplishments: Ten Ways to Relieve Stress in 1 Minute
January 13, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.67 MBThis activity was originally a segment of Episode 24. I am publishing each one separately so you can access individual activities easier. It is really important to do simple but effective self-care tasks each day to relieve stress and avoid teacher burnout. The activities in this series take one minute or less. They are designed to help you stop, and refocus - for only a minute. Repeat as needed throughout your day. "Activity 5: Today's Simple Accomplishments" can be done alone, with...
#24.4 Activity 4 Doodling: Ten Ways to Relieve Stress in 1 Minute
January 13, 2021 01:00 - 3 minutes - 2.67 MBThis activity was originally a segment of Episode 24. I am publishing each one separately so you can access individual activities easier. It is really important to do simple but effective self-care tasks each day to relieve stress and avoid teacher burnout. The activities in this series take one minute or less. They are designed to help you stop, and refocus - for only a minute. Repeat as needed throughout your day. "Activity 4: Doodling" can be done alone, with your family, co-worker...
#24.3 Activity 3 Daydream: Ten Ways to Relieve Stress in 1 Minute
January 12, 2021 06:00 - 3 minutes - 2.68 MBThis activity was originally a segment of Episode 24. I am publishing each one separately so you can access them easier. It is really important to do simple but effective self-care tasks each day to relieve stress and avoid teacher burnout. The activities in this series take one minute or less. They are designed to help you stop, and refocus - for only a minute. Repeat as needed throughout your day. "Activity 3: Daydream" can be done alone, with your family, co-workers, or maybe even with...
#24.2 Activity 2 Stretching: Ten Ways to Relieve Stress in 1 Minute
January 11, 2021 06:00 - 3 minutes - 2.62 MBThis activity was originally a segment of Episode 24. "Activity 2: Stretching" can be done alone, with your family, co-workers, or maybe even with your class. It is really important to do simple but effective self-care tasks each day to relieve stress and avoid teacher burnout. The activities in this series take one minute or less. They are designed to help you stop, and refocus - for only a minute. Repeat as needed throughout your day. Try them all out, then pick out the ones that ...
#24.1 Activity 1 Breathing: Ten Ways to Relieve Stress in 1 Minute
January 11, 2021 05:00 - 4 minutes - 2.88 MBThis activity was originally a segment of Episode 24. I am publishing each one separately so you can access them easier. It is really important to do simple but effective self-care tasks each day to relieve stress and avoid teacher burnout. The activities in this series take one minute or less. They are designed to help you stop, and refocus - for only a minute. Repeat as needed throughout your day. Try them all out, then pick out the ones that work best for you and repeat them often du...
How to Survive the Second Half of the School Year
December 31, 2020 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBWelcome to today's episode, where we are going to be going explore ideas on how to survive the second half of the school year. I will discuss changes I am going to make. Then I will lead you through ten quick and easy ways to relieve stress right in your classroom. And you can do each of them in one minute or less! It is important to do self-care activities to keep your sanity during this COVID 2020-21 school year. (This is especially important since we are only halfway through the school y...
7 Special Education Podcasts You Should Listen To
November 13, 2020 08:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBOn this episode of the "Help for Special Educators" podcast we will hear about some other special education podcasts you might want to check out. “Be the Exception” Podcast, hosted by Dawn Ellis “Different Ability” Podcast, hosted by Katey Fortun “SLP Coffee Talk” Podcast, hosted by Hallie Sherman “That Special Educator” Podcast, hosted by Braelan Martin “Teaching Autism and Special Education Community Podcast,” hosted by Nikki Robertson “Adaptation Station” Podcast, ...
FS: World Kindness Day Classroom Ideas
November 07, 2020 04:00 - 6 minutes - 4.17 MBGet World Kindness Day Classroom Ideas and save time searching for seasonal activities in the future. Today I want to share a few quick ideas that you might be able to do with your classroom whether you are in-person, virtual, or hybrid. Most of these are easy to do in person, so I’ve tried to give examples of how they can be done virtually. First, I’m going to give ideas for random acts of kindness or kindness challenges, and later I’ll share some other lesson activities you can do in sma...
Fun Size Episode: Virtual Halloween Party Ideas
October 13, 2020 05:00 - 7 minutes - 5.27 MBThis episode is the first of my “fun size” episodes for the Help for Special Educators podcast. Imagine that I’m dropping by your class after school to chat and give you a little, fun size candy bar, like kids get at Halloween. These episodes will be short and sweet! We discuss: +Things to consider when planning a virtual Halloween party when distance learning +Costume game using Video platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, etc. +Timing of the party +More Ideas if you have extra help (Don't ...
Class Holiday Parties and Alternative Ideas
October 11, 2020 07:00 - 13 minutes - 9.21 MBIn this episode, host Lisa Goodell gives tips and ideas for making holiday parties successful in special education classrooms. She shares a few secrets that she has learned over the years, too! Solutions are given for accommodating students on a limited day, when you can't serve candy/junk food, alternative activities if you cannot have parties at all, and more. Plus, get a free class party planner with alternative ideas for each month of the year. Get the complete show notes and links to r...
Tips for Terrific Parent Conferences
November 27, 2019 06:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBWhether you are a special educator in a resource, inclusion or self-contained setting, this episode has tons of tips and ideas to make parent conference week go by as smooth as possible. The first half focuses on self-contained teachers holding conferences in their classrooms. Then the second half is for resource/inclusion teachers who need to attend conferences in a variety of general ed classes all over the school. In addition, the scheduling strategy described might also work for RTI or S...
Special Ed and General Ed Collaboration Stories
November 16, 2019 23:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBThis episode is a special one in that my guest, Sarah Magallano, shares some excellent stories of how general ed and special ed teachers can work together to help students succeed in their least restrictive environments. Plus, this is my first episode where my guest is a general ed teacher! Great things can happen when all parties team up to help students. Don't be afraid to be proactive in collaborating with teachers and other stakeholders at your school! Here are a few of the topics we d...
Tips to Promote Independence
August 27, 2019 00:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBIn this episode host, Lisa Goodell, speaks with Jenn Adams of Teach Love Autism. She shares some fantastic tips about how we can encourage our students to become as independent as possible, in and out of the class. We talk about why this is important, how she sets up her room with independent stations, and how to train others (such as paraprofessionals) to buy-in to this method. We also discuss TEACCH tasks and using visuals, helping parents with task analysis to build independence at home,...
Mid Year Move
August 21, 2019 03:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBThis is Part 2 of my conversation with Chelsea Marelle. Before we get into her big move we discuss curriculum for different special ed populations, including leveled literacy interventions and interactive journals and math groups. We talk about class decor on walls, flexible seating and setting our children to find success. Then Chelsea shares her moving experience and gives tips for moving to another state in the middle of the school year: how to interview, pack up, and start over with a n...
Class Set Up to Avoid Behavior Problems
August 20, 2019 05:00 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MBI had a great talk with Chelsea Marelle for today's podcast interview about how special ed teachers can set up their classrooms to prevent common behavior problems such as impulsive behavior or refusing to work. I have broken up the interview into two parts. In this part (Part 1), Chelsea describes how she designs the physical environment of her classroom, including having structure and routines built into the schedule, which will encourage on-task behavior. We give tips on listening center...
New Special Ed Teacher Answers
August 04, 2019 07:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBThis is Part 2 of my conversation with Kaylene Durbin, a college student who is just starting her credential program. Today we revisit the questions she asked last time. Not only will I attempt to answer them, but I got help from other special educators online, and some have been past guests on the show! Listen in as we answer questions that aspiring or new teacher might have. (Note that part one of this conversation is called, “New Special Ed Teacher Questions” and was episode 13). Ques...
New Special Ed Teacher Questions
August 02, 2019 06:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBToday’s interview is inspiring and helped me remember why I went into teaching in the first place! I spoke with Kaylene Durbin, a college student who wants to teach both special ed and general ed. She shares how her college professor not only helped her decide on special education, but how to have a new appreciation for her brothers, (one of whom has cerebral palsy). We also talk about: Ways one can get some experience in a classroom before student-teaching. We begin to answer questions t...
Teaching Math in a Special Ed Classroom
June 29, 2019 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBToday I talk about beginning math concepts, specifically how to help your special ed kiddos who have a hard time moving from counting objects to beginning addition. I talk about how to introduce adding by counting pictures on dots, with lots of hands-on activities and supplemental lessons before actually getting to the TM addition worksheets. I share about my small math flashcards and give organizational tips such as how I’ve been able to copy multiple flashcard sets for each student to us...
Co-Teaching and Inclusion Strategies
June 15, 2019 07:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBIn episode 11, I talk to Jenn Hunter about co-teaching and inclusion strategies in a resource setting. Jenn explains six approaches/models for co-teaching to better serve students and shares how to get off to a great start with your co-teacher. We get into the differences between accommodations and modifications, IEP goals and types of students in inclusion, pull-out and even talk about kids on 504 plans. Great tips and resources are given to improve teacher collaboration to serve students m...
Schedules and Lesson Planning
June 01, 2019 08:00 - 30 minutes - 14.2 MBPart 3 of the Series: Self-Contained Schedules Today we are going to finish our Self-Contained Schedule series with part 3, which is about schedules and lesson planning. I continue the discussion from last week on station rotations by extending it to a new schedule/lesson plan overview I use for myself and my two teaching assistants. This is a short one-page schedule that has a schedule for each adult in class. This was a weekly schedule that tells what topic/subject each person will be teac...
Small Group Rotation Schedule Ideas
May 25, 2019 08:00 - 34 minutes - 15.6 MBIn this episode, which is Part 2 of the Self-Contained Schedule Series, I am excited to really go deep on how to set up small group stations in your self-contained special ed class. Over the years I found that teaching with small groups was the most effective way to maximize time with my students and paraprofessionals (also called para for short. Other places they might be called teaching assistants or teacher’s aides). I give ideas to consider as you plan your schedule, and I share several...
Eight Tips to Create a Daily Schedule in a Special Ed Class
May 18, 2019 07:00 - 20 minutes - 9.48 MBThis episode is the first in a series all about schedules. Lisa Goodell gives eight tips to help you create a daily schedule for your self-contained special ed classroom. She discusses how to plan everything out and what information is helpful to gather ahead of time. She touches on inclusion/mainstreaming into general ed classes, teaching routines/expectations, how to plan for future students and more. Be sure to check out the show notes at https://lisagoodell.com/podcast to get the visual ...
Talk Data to Me: Data Collection in a Kindergarten Special Ed Class
May 11, 2019 07:00 - 28 minutes - 13.3 MBHost Lisa Goodell interviews Marisa Iannaccone, a special ed teacher in Portland. We talk about how Marisa collects data in her self contained classroom with all kindergarteners on both behavior and progress monitoring for IEP goals and how it has changed from her first year to her second as a special ed teacher. She has great advice that she shares. She has the support of a behavior specialist and autism specialist. Together they collaborate on different strategies such as a "Go Bag." ...
Tools to Improve Parent Communication
May 04, 2019 07:00 - 29 minutes - 13.5 MBIn Episode 6, learn about a number of tools you can use to improve parent communication in your classroom. Newsletters, communication booklets, check-off lists, phone calls, emails, and apps are all discussed in Lisa Goodell's interview with Petra Albaza, a middle school special ed teacher. Go to https://lisagoodell.com/podcast to access the show notes and links for everything mentioned in the conversation. Patra also explains why good communication between teachers and parents is so import...
How to Support Students with Behavior Plans
April 27, 2019 07:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBI had a fascinating conversation with Cassie Leutenegger, a behavior support teacher, regarding how she works with students with behavior plans and their general ed teachers. She teaches students in K-5, and works with students who have ADHD, emotional behavior disorder (EBD) or Autism in a specialized program. Some of her students (K-5) are in a self-contained class that she teaches. She describes how the day is scheduled for staff and students, in both self-contained and general ed. She t...
Six Steps to Build an Inclusive School Garden
April 20, 2019 07:00 - 29 minutes - 13.5 MBDawn Ellis of Cultivating Exceptional Minds has developed a school garden that is inclusive of all types of disabilities. Hear about many ways the garden is used to provide real-life learning activities for the whole school, in all subject areas. Moreover, students are more engaged during lessons in the garden... which results in less behavior problem! They help plant, weed, water, harvest, cook and even eat what is grown. Dawn gives great advice on how to you can start your own garden. S...
Ideas for Teaching Autism
April 14, 2019 07:00 - 42 minutes - 19.5 MBIn podcast episode #3, I chat with Nikki Robertson, who is an autism teacher in Wales, UK. She teaches 3-7 year olds at an autism school (with students aged 3-19 years old). She gives many tips and ideas to use in an autism classroom with almost all students who are nonverbal. She shares what a day looks like in her class, how they use Book Creator (iPad app) to collect evidence and data and assemble into a book to share with parents. She discusses how they fit in time for lesson prep, assis...
Tips for Creating Your Own Curriculum
April 06, 2019 07:00 - 24 minutes - 11.2 MBIn this episode I have a conversation with Ashley Lutz, who has been a middle school self-contained special ed teacher for 7 years, working with students with intellectual disabilities. We talk about how she didn’t have any curriculum in her first year and how she creates and differentiates materials to meet the varied levels of her students. She give tips to create your own curriculum. We also discuss what errorless learning is and how she implemented an adaptive music program including an ...
How to Start your own Autism Support Group and Community Autism Event (and Podcast Introduction)
April 01, 2019 07:00 - 47 minutes - 21.6 MBWelcome to the first episode!! I am publishing this on the first of April and April is Autism month. So to kick the month off, I had a conversation with Tiffany Manha, a speech teacher, and autism mom, about how she started an Autism Family Support Group in our town about 8 years ago, which is treated like being invited to a birthday party!! You will love her story of how it happened and how it has grown to where these kids ride on floats in parades (yes, some even have extreme autism). Sh...