special education ePLC

What is the Special Education ePLC?

Special educators have a complex job – they serve in multiple roles as teacher, consultant, case manager, and often as supervisor. Due to the steep learning curve, many new special educators report feeling overwhelmed and under supported. And a quarter of them leave within their first three years. First-year special educators who participate in a comprehensive induction program are half as likely to leave the field and report feeling more capable and successful.

This year-long service provides ongoing professional learning as part of your comprehensive induction program for special educators in their first three years of practice. Building confidence and competence, it supports new teachers through a learning community – a space to unpack common challenges, reflect on effective practices, and grow as educators.

The ePLC includes a strand of videos designed to support cooperation and participation with students with IEPs. Learn tips, tools, and strategies to manage behavior and create routines and structures that promote student success!

Webinar Topics

• getting started – planning your schedule, ARDs, and specially designed instruction
• connecting – building relationships with your students, parents, and team
• collaborating – practical ideas for successfully teaming with your teaching partners
• making the paperwork matter – aligning your PLAAFPs, IEPs, and specially designed instruction
• supporting struggling readers – what works in teaching students to read and understand text
• supporting struggling mathematicians – what works in teaching students who struggle with math
• accessing science and social studies – supporting understanding of content, vocabulary, and visuals across content areas
• supporting behavior – managing motivation
• planning ahead – thinking now with next year in mind

Kathy Clapsaddle

Kathy Clapsaddle has been a champion of special educators for over 20 years. She has used her passion and experience serving pre-service educators and district professionals as the slightly nerdy, yet enthusiastic, special education voice at lead4ward since 2016. Read more–>