Common-Sense Classroom Management

Special help for special education teachers means special success for students!

Do you have too many IEPs on your desk? Is it five o’clock and do you still need to contact parents, social workers, and general education co-teachers? Teachers new to special education often feel overwhelmed at the amount of additional planning and information management required.

This practical guide shows you how to shape the structure of the teaching day to ensure that learners with special needs experience success. It includes simple teacher-tested, easy-to-implement strategies needing 5 steps or fewer to:

• Organize students to make the most of the time you have with them
• Use incentive programs and meaningful consequences to achieve desired behaviors
• Coordinate with co-teachers, general education teachers, and staff to maximize your efforts

Special Education teachers face different challenges, paperwork shouldn’t be one of them. When the key paperwork is at your fingertips, the lesson plan is prepared, and the to-do list is written, you will find more time in your day for what’s most important-your students!

Jill A. Lindberg is a supervisor for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Milwaukee Public Schools Special Education Internship Program. She currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Judith Walker-Wied is a Problem-Solving Facilitator for Milwaukee Public Schools. She has worked with the school district for over 30 years. She currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Kristin M. Forjan Beckwith taught in Milwaukee Public Schools for seven years before attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.