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Powerful Practices for High-Performing Special Educators

By: Roberta Kaufman, Robert Wandberg

A valuable toolbox for every situation in the special education classroom!

Special education teachers face unique challenges, especially when they are just beginning. These research-based practices help teachers meet the academic needs of students with disabilities (including those who are also English language learners) in areas such as setting up a classroom, managing student behavior, designing effective instruction, incorporating technology, embracing diversity, and more. Each chapter features:

An overview and objectives
A brief research review
Step-by-step strategies that can be used immediately
Examples and scenarios from real teaching experiences
Self-assessments and reflections

Full description

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12, Elementary, Secondary
ISBN: 9781412968072
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2010
Page Count: 200
Publication date: April 21, 2010

Price: $39.95

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Description

"This book has ideas, tools, and starting points for all the situations you could encounter on your first day of teaching or on your thousandth! It is practical and up-to-date on what it is like to be a special educator in schools today."
—Alison Martins, Special Education Teacher
Seven Hills Charter Public School, Worcester, MA

"This book is a new teacher's first stop for everything from 'How should I set up my room the first week of school?' to 'What types of assessments should I be using?'"
—Nancy Yost, Associate Professor of Special Education
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

A valuable toolbox for every situation in the special education classroom!

Special education teachers face unique challenges, especially when they are just beginning. This essential resource offers special educators a blueprint for dealing with the most common challenges they face both in the classroom and in the larger school environment.

These research-based strategies help teachers meet the academic needs of diverse students with disabilities (including those who are also English language learners) in areas such as setting up a classroom, managing student behavior, designing effective instruction, incorporating technology, embracing diversity, and more. Each chapter features:

An overview and objectives
A brief research review
Step-by-step strategies that can be used immediately
Examples and scenarios from real teaching experiences
Self-assessments and reflections

This all-in-one reference book offers the tools, strategies, and support special educators need for success in their first year and every year thereafter!

Author(s)

Roberta Kaufman

Roberta Kaufman has been a P-12 special educator and university administrator in the Midwest where she has worked in both rural and urban settings. Her professional experience includes coordinating a partnership between multiple school districts in a metropolitan area and a university to design and implement a teacher preparation program for under-represented populations. Dr. Kaufman initiated a program providing instructional seminars followed by coaching support for individuals hired as special educators in a diverse urban school district. Practices described in Powerful Practices for High-Performing Special Educators were implemented throughout the seminars and observed in classrooms with follow-up coaching. As a result of the coaching and seminars, a dramatic increase in the retention of new special education teachers was documented and maintained beyond two years. She is currently on the faculty of the School of Education at the University of South Dakota.

Robert Wandberg

Robert Wandberg currently serves as the Language Diverse Literacy Coach for the Columbia Heights School District in Minnesota. His responsibilities include providing classroom teachers with effective, best practice strategies for working with English language learners, special education students, and low-literacy learners. He is a former middle and high school classroom teacher and state curriculum specialist with the Minnesota Department of Education. In addition to his numerous state, national, and international presentations, Dr. Wandberg has authored 12 middle/high school level textbooks for low-literacy students. He has also co-authored two university-level textbooks focusing on effective classroom practice and several professional journal articles, many of which focus on diverse students in the general education classroom. He also teaches graduate education courses at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Introduction

1. Working With Diverse Students

Objectives

Introduction

Wisdom of Practice: The Technicolor World of Truman Armstrong

In Brief: What Does the Research Say?

Changing Student Diversity

The Impact of Diverse Populations in Special Education Programming

Professional Practice

Summary

Self-Assessment and Reflection

References

2. Organizing a Classroom for Instruction

Objectives

Introduction

Wisdom of Practice: Ms. Delacatto – See How She Runs!

In Brief: What Does the Research Say?

Professional Practice

Summary

Self-Assessment and Reflection

References

3. Managing Student Behavior

Objectives

Introduction

Wisdom of Practice: Mr. Downing – The Principal is Watching!

In Brief: What Does the Research Say?

Professional Practice

Summary

Self-Assessment and Reflection

References

4. Designing Effective Instruction

Objectives

Introduction

Wisdom of Practice: Mr. Rodriquez Makes a Plan

In Brief: What Does the Research Say?

Professional Practice

Summary

Self-Assessment and Reflection

References

5. Teaching Strategies and Learning Activities

Objectives

Introduction

Wisdom of Practice: Ms. Webster Gets Active!

In Brief: What Does the Research Say?

Professional Practice

Summary

Self-Assessment and Reflection

References

6. Graphic Organizers

Objectives

Introduction

Wisdom of Practice: Picture the Students!

In Brief: What Does the Research Say?

Professional Practice

Summary

Self-Assessment and Reflection

References

7. Incorporating Technology

Objectives

Introduction

Wisdom of Practice: Emmalee Jones – Digital Immigrant or Native?

In Brief: What Does the Research Say?

Professional Practice

Summary

Self-Assessment and Reflection

References

8. Student Assessment and Evaluation

Objectives

Introduction

Wisdom of Practice: Ms. Thomson – What’s in a Number?

In Brief: What Does the Research Say?

Professional Practice

Summary

Self-Assessment and Reflection

References

9. Promoting Achievement Through Collaboration

Objectives

Introduction

Wisdom of Practice: Mrs. Stanton’s Best Laid Plans

In Brief: What Does the Research Say?

Professional Practice

Summary

Self-Assessment and Reflection

References

Conclusion: Wrapping Up, Reflecting and Celebrating

Index

Reviews

"This is a great book that would be handy for teachers, novice or veteran, to have in their professional library. The ideas really cause the reader to evaluate what they do in the classroom and try new ideas to meet the needs of ALL students!"

Rachel Aherns, Collaborative Special Education Teacher
Westridge Elementary School, West Des Moines, IA

"The Wisdom of Practice sections are realistic and help scaffold learning for novice teachers. The self-assessments and reflections are powerful."

Mary Reeve, Director, Services for Exceptional Students
Gallup-McKinley County Public Schools, Gallup, NM

"Every teacher and administrator should own a copy! This collection of valuable insights and strategies is a must-have and will serve as a favorite reference tool for many years to come. The authors share real-life experiences, ready-to-use materials, and current resources to guide you every step of the way!"

Renee Bernhardt, Special Education Facilitator
Florine Dial Johnston Elementary, Woodstock, GA

"This is a book you will find yourself referring to frequently, as it is full of resources to enhance your options for engaging students as learners. A must-read for not only new and experienced special education teachers but all educators dedicated to reaching ALL students in their classes."

Betty Rivinus, Principal
Baker Prairie Middle School, Canby, OR

"Readers will find a wealth of information as well as easy-to-use strategies, tools, and ideas that can be used across the curriculum and at all grade levels. This is an all-in-one reference book that you will continually refer to whether you are a new teacher or a seasoned professional."

Dawne Dragonetti, Special Education Teacher and Instructional Coach
Center School, Stow, MA

"This book has ideas, tools, and starting points for all the situations you could encounter on your first day of teaching or on your thousandth! It is practical and up-to-date on what it is like to be a special educator in schools today!"

Alison Martins, Special Education Teacher
Seven Hills Charter Public School, Worcester, MA

"The authors have done an excellent job of providing new teachers with very concrete ideas to make their first year successful. The book pulls together material that teachers have covered in various coursework during their university careers. This book can be a new teacher's first stop for everything from 'What should I do to get my room set up for the first week of school?' to 'What types of assessments should I be using for this material?'"

Nancy Yost, Associate Professor of Special Education
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Other Titles in: Special Education | Teaching Methods & Learning Styles

Select Format:

For Instructors

Request Review Copy

When you select 'request review copy', you will be redirected to Sage Publishing (our parent site) to process your request.