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
"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!
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 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.