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Laura │ Inclusion & Behavior Specialist

I'm an inclusive kindergarten teacher with an M.Ed. in special education and behavior. I help you improve student behavior and belonging with inclusion, behavior & SEL tips. Subscribe now ⬇️⬇️⬇️

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Empowering End-of-the-Year Success With One Simple Strategy 👀

The End Is In Sight...Right? 👀 Hey Reader, I know this time of year can be a whirlwind – packing up projects, prepping for next year, and helping your students navigate all those end-of-year feels. But what if there was a way to improve student behavior and self-management, not just now, but throughout the year? Enter the mighty behavior reflection! ✨ It's a simple yet powerful tool that can help your students understand their actions, develop self-control, and build strong social-emotional...

"Feelings Are Not An Emergency" That's what my therapist told me during one particularly helpful session where I divulged how overwhelmed I felt with my own emotions that week 😬 Reader, If we sometimes struggle with keeping our own emotions in check, how can we expect our students to keep calm and collected all. the. time? Spoiler alert: we can't. They are just human after all. But if BIG emotions sometimes feel like an emergency in the classroom when you're in the middle of a lesson......

I Have A Question For You... Reader, are you tired of talking in circles about student behavior in your classroom? I bet you feel like nothing you say to your students really makes a difference in the choices they make. I’ve been in your shoes, and you know what finally changed the game? The simple, yet impactful, behavior reflection. As an inclusive educator, I know just how stressful challenging student behavior can be. Helping a student deescalate is important work, but it does take away...

It's Not Too Late! 🏃 Have you put much thought into preparing your students for winter break, Reader? 🌲Aside from summer vacation, this is often the longest break in the school year. And your students can feel it 🤯 🎉 Prepare: Look at the calendar together and highlight the days you'll be apart and the day you'll come back together. 🎉 Validate: Help students name how they are feeling and normalize having many different emotions during changes in routine. 🎉 Play: Spend quality time together...

💬 Ever Wondered What To Say...💬 When you're advocating for inclusion on behalf of your student? 📝 Steal my script for a successful conversation about increasing the amount of time a student participates in the general education setting! ⬇️⬇️⬇️ "Let's look at the data". When advocating for a student to be included in the general education setting, bring relevant data and keep the conversation objective. "Their strengths are...". Focus on what the student CAN do and what their strengths are....

You won't believe how simple it is! And it has to do with ✨ ROUTINES ✨We all know back-to-school season can be a ROUGH transition (for teachers and students alike) 🍎So today I'm sharing my top tip for transitioning students into BTS mode and ditching the end of summer slump:➡️ Make your morning routine ✨ magical ✨And predictable. And simple. And calming.Our morning routine is the first thing I teach on the first day of school and we spend all week practicing and mastering our mornings ☀️It...

So You’ve Heard The Buzz About Inclusion But you might still be wondering what it’s all about. And why it matters. Believe it or not, inclusion makes school better for all of our students! That's right, inclusion benefits BOTH disabled and typically developing students 🤯 Inclusion isn’t just about how many disabled students are in the room. It is the belief that all students deserve to be valued and supported so they can reach their highest potential. Here are 3 tips for making your classroom...

🫣 Lost for Words?🫣 You know that the term "special needs" is an outdated euphemism ❌So you've updated the language you use to describe the disabled students you work with ✅Now what?What do you say when you hear coworkers use the term "special needs"?I've got the simple script you need to tactfully turn the language around and be a force for change in your school! 💬 👇🏼 Next time you hear the term "special needs", say this: Language is always evolving, and it's actually considered more accurate...

🙃 There's Nothing "Special" About It 🙃 Disabled people have the same needs as able-bodied people, to have:👉🏼 Basic needs met👉🏼 The right to privacy and autonomy👉🏼 Deep and meaningful relationships👉🏼 Fulfilling life experiences👉🏼 Access to an equitable education The way their needs are met may look different than yours, but that doesn't make them "special" 🤷🏻♀️So let's drop the euphemism 👎🏼Disabled is not a bad word. Get comfy with it. Better yet, ASK the person you're referring to what they...

🤔 Behavior Got You Feeling Baffled? 🤔 Have you ever had a student that you just couldn't figure out, Reader? Keep reading! The first thing you need to know is that all behavior is COMMUNICATION 📢 When students engage in behaviors of concern, they are trying to tell us that they have a need that is not being met, and they are getting that need met in the only way that they know how. So how can we help students get their needs met in more appropriate ways? Here are 3 unexpected ways you can...