A Survival Guide for New Special Educators [Paperback]

What every special education teacher needs to know to survive and thrive

A Survival Guide for New Special Educators provides relevant, practical information for new special education teachers across a broad range of topic areas. Drawing on the latest research on special educator effectiveness and retention, this comprehensive, go-to resource addresses the most pressing needs of novice instructors, resource teachers, and inclusion specialists.

• Offers research-based, classroom-tested strategies for working with a variety of special needs students
• Covers everything from preparing for the new school year to behavior management, customizing curriculum, creating effective IEPs, and more
• Billingsley and Brownell are noted experts in special educator training and support

This highly practical book is filled with checklists, forms, and tools that special educators can use every day to help ensure that all special needs students get the rich, rewarding education they deserve.

The Authors v

Acknowledgments vii

Tables, Figures, and Exhibits xvii

Introduction xxi

PART ONE: THE BASICS

Chapter One: Getting the Right Job 3

An Initial Priority: Find a Good Job Match 3

Steps in Your Job Search 4

The Interview Process 5

Consider the Offer 10

To Sum Up 10

What’s Next? 10

Chapter Two: Great Beginnings 11

Reality 101: What to Expect in the First Years 11

Your Challenge: Become an Accomplished and Committed Special Educator 13

Reflect on the Moral Purpose Thl33