New Teacher of Special EducationWelcome to Denton ISD

Tips for Success

Darby Ahlfinger Laura Davis Jay WeidenbachAugust 15, 2012

InclusionMeet the General Education Teachers that you will be working with this year.

• You will need to work out times for collaboration.

• Go over caseload.

• Remember, you are a co-teacher. This is a cooperative relationship.

Lots of SupportMeet your Special Education Team

• Fellow Teachers• Diagnostician• LSSP• Speech Pathologist• Related Service• Special Education Supervisor

Legal ResponsibilitiesReview that ARD paperwork

• If it’s in the ARD, we have a responsibility to the student to do it.

• If you are having trouble interpreting the ARD or the IEP, ask your diagnostician.

Legal Responsibilities• Make sure all staff receive copies of relevant

sections of the ARD only.

• General Ed. teachers should receive and understand the accommodations.

• Remember that BIPs are IEPs too.

• Receipts are for the protection of the teacher.

Confidentiality• One of the most important parts of your job.

• Must be taken very seriously.

• Watch hall talk.

• This extends to the community also.

• “Educational Need to Know”

Data• Data Drives Everything.

• Use data to:• Track Progress• Track Response to Intervention• Determine Present Levels of Academic and

Functional Performance.• Create IEP goals.

Writing your IEPsRemember, all goals should contain the following:

• Timeline• Conditions• Behavior / Skill• Mastery Criteria

All goals should be attainable within one year.

Look out for the PLAAFP / SBIEP class soon.

Learning Opportunities• Attend the professional development related to

your position.

• Check the Region 11 Website.

• Educational Leave must be granted by administration ahead of time.

Grade Level Curriculum

Learn the grade level curriculum that you are teaching.

All Children must have access to the general ed curriculum (TEKS).

That access must be provided in the least restrictive environment possible (LRE).

An IEP is not a replacement curriculum, it is a means of allowing access to the curriculum.

Your ClassroomSet up your classroom considering the needs of your students.

Make changes throughout the year.

New students may require a reworking of the learning environment.

Build RelationshipsMeet your parents.

Parents are educational partners.

They are the experts of their child.

Parents are an invaluable member of the ARD committee.

Good foundations now keep the building from falling down when times get rough.

Enjoy your work• Being a teacher is the best job in the world.

• The ability to help children achieve their best.

• Inspiring them not only academically but personally.

• Enjoy seeing their growth over time.

• This job is never ever boring!

Questions