Many people consider teaching to be a calling, not a career choice. This is especially true for special education teachers. Special education teachers are expected to know everything an average classroom teacher does as well as understand, and be able to help accommodate, all of the disabilities children may be living with. These blogs will help you prepare yourself for your new career.
Special Education
These blogs, and blog posts, all discuss issues that are specifically about the field of special education. From technology and terminology to what it is like in a special education classroom can be found here.
- iPad’s in Special Education Classrooms
Technology has become increasingly important in classrooms, this is especially true for special education students. The iPad is one of the most recent innovations. This post discusses how it can be used.
- IEP Process
This post provides a length look at the very involved process of forming, or reevaluating an individualized education plan for students.
- The Wrightslaw Way
This blog focuses on special education advocacy and law. They frequently take questions from readers about the field of special education law and give their opinion.
- The Erosion of Special Education services in New York
This post discusses the unfortunate reduction in funding for special education services in the state of New York and what families can do to combat this loss.
- Teaching Effectively and LD
This post is written by a blogger who writes about the best methods to help at risk students and those with disabilities. This post specifically discusses conference options for teachers.
- Lisa’s Lingo
Lisa Parisi, the writer behind the blog, is a Long Island fifth grade teacher. She works in a collaborative classroom with a special education teacher.
- Scenes from the Battleground
This blog is written by a teacher in the UK. It discusses the overwhelming politics of education and how some of the measures instituted to help students with special needs are stifling the learning environment.
- Teachers at Risk
This blog is written by Elona Hartjes, a special education teacher who realized it wasn’t just her students at risk but also fellow teachers. She writes to help and to encourage other teachers.
Technology in Education
Technology is becoming increasingly important in the field of education. This is especially true in special education classrooms and for students with special needs. These blogs and blog posts talk about using technology in the classroom.
- No Limits to Learning
This blog is written by Lon Thornburg who is an educator as well as a technology specialist. His blog focuses on assistive technology for special needs students.
- ATMac
This blog is written specifically for people with disabilities that use Apple products. While Apple technology is certainly quite popular, this blog is unusual in that most technology blogs are written with Microsoft users in mind.
- The Teacher Toolbox
The author of this blog, Adrian Bruce, writes about his experiences as a teacher and specifically as a proponent of communication technologies integration.
- Eduflack
This blog is written by Patrick Riccards, an expert in communications. He frequently posts about technologies that facilitate communication in educational settings.
- Technology in Service of Teaching
This post discusses the possibilities of teachers and schools utilizing technology in order to help students achieve their highest potential. Information on programs and corresponding conference are included.
- Assorted Stuff
Tim Stahmer, the author of the blog, is a specialist in instructional technology. The blog focuses on education in general and pays specific attention to how technology can be implemented in schools effectively.
Teachers
Most schools only have a handful of special education teachers, the rest are regular classroom teachers. Learn more about their perceptions and how their day unfolds will help you better assist them with special needs children.
- Learning is Messy
This blog is written by veteran elementary teacher Brian Crosby. He is a fan of project based learning and frequently engages students in community service projects.
- Moving at the Speed of Creativity
The author of this blog, Wesley Fryer, is written by a social studies teacher. He frequently discusses educational topics such as literacy, educational leadership, educational technology, and engaged learning.
- It’s Not All Flowers and Sausages
This blog is written by a teacher who recognizes that while much of teaching is fun, there is a lot of drama and stress attached to the job as well. Here she humorously vents about the part of her job that is less than ideal.
- Learn Me Good
This blog is written by a third grade math teacher and former design engineer. The author frequently discusses lesson plans and techniques for teaching math.
- Tween Teacher
This blog focuses on education news and policy, curriculum design, and how to fully enjoy the field of education. It is the belief of the author that a happy teacher will lead to a happy student which will lead to better test scores and more successful schools.
- Engaging Parents in School
The author of this blog, Larry Ferlazzo, is a veteran California high school teacher. In addition to providing his own opinions about parental involvement in schools he also links to new blogs and news articles on the topic.
- Successful Teaching
This blog is written by Pat Hensley. Pat provides a wealth of tips and strategies to help teachers succeed in the classroom and to help them enjoy their careers more.
- Dr. Pezz
This blog discusses a variety of educational topics such as class size, administration, parents, teachers unions, early education, attendance, and lesson plans.
- Math Curmudgeon
This blog is written by a math teacher who believes that math must be taught and not explored in a collaborative setting. Critical thinking skills, school improvement, and innovation are all discussed frequently.
- History is Elementary
A blog written by an elementary school teacher with a love for history. This site is specifically for history teachers, although anyone with an interest in history will find it interesting.
ESOL
ESOL, ESL, and EFL are all terms that describe a student who is learning English as a second language. Children enter public schools every day with no knowledge of the English language. These blogs discuss teaching those students and the English language.
- Nondiscriminatory Assessment of Second Language Students
This post, written by Jorge Alvarez, discusses the importance of assessing second language students as fairly as possible because testing often determines the services that will be available to the student.
- ESL Lesson Plan
Morf Morford, the man behind the blog, provides a wealth of information for ESL teachers including ideas for budgeting, lesson plans, and curriculum ideas.
- Pain in the English
This blog recognizes the difficulties of the English language. An excellent resource for ESL teachers as well as any teacher interested in the intricacies of the language.
- Separated by a Common Language
This blog is written by a linguist from America who lives in the UK. She discusses all aspects of the English language including many of the more difficult concepts.
- The English Blog
This blog provides a treasure trove of online resources for those who teach the English language as well as for those who are learning the language.
- Azar Grammar
The posts on this blog are written by a collection of bloggers. The focus of the blog is to help teachers who are teaching ESL students.
- Mondo’s ESL World
Steven Mondy, the author of the blog is an Australian living and teaching in Japan. In his blog he discusses what he does and provides information on resources other teachers can use.
Disabilities
The number of disabilities one will face as a special education teacher are staggering. These blogs give insight into a few of the various disabilities your students may be living with.
- Patricia E Bauer
This blog compiles news and provides commentary on stories that focus on disability issues. The blog is updated multiple times a day as new stories emerge.
- National Disability Employment Month
The primary text of this post is comprised of the speech given by President Obama declaring October to be National Disability Employment Month.
- Thrive on the Autism Spectrum
The author of this blog focuses entirely on helping adults, teens, children, and parents of children with Asperger’s Syndrome and autism succeed.
- Common Myths About Learning Disabilities
This insightful post discusses some of the most common myths associated with children who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities. These ideas tend to be persistent even though there is substantial evidence to refute them.
- Dyslexia My Life
The author of the blog, Girard, discusses what dyslexia is and answers reader’s questions on a regular basis. He also offers insight into dealing with dyslexia.
- Dyslexia Tutor
Adrienne Edwards, the author of the blog is a tutor who specializes in language skills, reading, and writing. The blog discusses reading skills, parent interest, and other topics related to dyslexia and learning language.
Education
The broader education topics, outside of the field of special education, will be just as important throughout your career as to any other teacher. Familiarize yourself with these topics with these blogs.
- Linking and Thinking on Education
Blogger and author, Joanne Jacobs, discusses educational topics such as teaching methods and recent news in the field of education.
- The Future of Education is Here
This blog discusses the forces initiating change, educational and technological trends, and learning agents to discuss what the future of education will be like.
- Intercepts
The focus of this blog is on teacher unions and general education news. This blog is written by Mike Antonucci, a writer and education advocate.
- Critical Mass
This blog is a bit different in that it discusses higher education and issues pertaining to academe. The author was a professor of English for nearly a decade and is now a writer and consultant.
- The Educated Reporter
This blog is written by Linda Perstein, a editor that specializes in assisting mainstream journalist improve their reporting on issues relating to schools and children.
- MS Teacher
This teacher frequently discusses education policy on topics such as helping teachers, lesson planning, parental involvement, student motivation, and professional development.
- EdTechSwami
The author of this blog is a teacher and a technology specialist at their school. This blog frequently features posts about the deeper meaning of being a teacher.
- Teacher Reboot Camp
Shelly Terrell, the author of this blog, discusses a variety of strategies that enable teachers to engage students by using the best instructional methods available.
Education Reform
Many people become teachers only thinking of the time they will spend with students. Once they get into the field, however, they are often faced with unresolved issues and a broken system. These teachers frequently become interested in education reform.
- Minding the Campus
This blog is a collaborative effort written by an number of professors. They discuss the need for reforming the university system.
- edReformer
This blog has a number of contributing bloggers all of which are passionate about reforming education and student experiences worldwide.
- School Reform Blog
This blog is written by Whitney Tilson. She discusses the need for immediate school reform and has a three part YouTube series that outlines her concerns.
- The Quick and the Ed
This blog is written by several collaborating bloggers who analyze education research and policy for higher education and K-12. A variety of theories and an eclectic assortment of opinions are offered.
- Kitchen Table Math
This blog is written by a collaboration of parents and teachers who discuss not only math but also reading and writing and other issues concerning public education.
Special education is one of the most important professions a teacher can choose to enter. The students you will serve are truly dependant on you for a bright future. While other students can typically learn in any setting, special needs students will need you to be there advocate and to help them navigate the education system. Use these blogs to learn more about your student population and to find resources to help them achieve their full potential.
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