4 Back to School Tips for Stellar Special Education Teachers

As the new school year begins, it’s important to start the year feeling prepared and organized. Here are some valuable back to school tips for both self-contained and resource room special education teachers to help you get organized and create a supportive learning environment for your students.

Back to School Tips: Classroom Setup and Organization

1. Create a Structured Environment

• Self-Contained Classrooms: Designate specific areas for different activities such as reading, sensory breaks, and independent workstations. Clear boundaries help students understand expectations and routines, which also builds independent functioning skills.
• Resource Rooms: Have designated spaces for individual work and group work, as well as for supplies. Flexible seating arrangements can also accommodate your students’ different learning styles.

2. Use Visual Supports 

I say always use visuals whenever and wherever you can!

• Self-Contained Classrooms: Individualized Visual schedules, labeled bins, clearly labeled areas, and instructional posters can aid in comprehension and independence.
• Resource Rooms: Incorporate visual aids that support the general education curriculum. This can include graphic organizers, charts, and visual timers. Visual schedules, labeled bins, and the lanyard visuals are still very beneficial for your students. However, your visual schedules need to match your students needs and meet them where they are. It may be a whole-group schedule, or individualized that your students carry with them.

3. Maintain an Organized Space

• Self-Contained Classrooms: Keep materials organized and easily accessible for you, your paras, and your students. Use color-coded systems for different subjects or activities. I also use color coded student systems, so each student is assigned a color. For Independent workstations, they are both student color-coded and picture coded to match specific tasks.
• Resource Rooms: Organize materials by subject and/or skill level. Clearly labeled shelves and bins or binders can make it easier for both you and your students to find what you need.

Back to School Tips: Planning and Preparation

4. Develop Individualized Plans

• Self-Contained Classrooms: Create lesson plans that align with each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Differentiate activities to meet the diverse needs of your students. Use whole group time to teach common topics and use small group/teacher time and independent work time to focus on specific and individualized skills.
• Resource Rooms: Align your lesson plans with the general education curriculum while providing necessary accommodations and modifications to meet your students needs. Focus on remediating skills that your students need, as well as IEP goals, in order to help them make progress.

5. Build Strong Relationships

• Self-Contained Classrooms: Establish a strong open communication line with your students’ parents. Regular updates and open communication help build trust and promote collaboration. Remember, you are all a team working to help the students succeed. I like to use a parent communication book, especially for my students who are not able to communicate to their families about their day. It is also very important to collaborate with general education teachers, related service providers, and other staff members at the school to make sure that your students’ needs are being met during those times.
• Resource Rooms: Collaborate with general education teachers to ensure consistency in expectations and support is happening across settings. Set your students up for success!

Grab this free parent communication form for back to school!

Back to School Tips: Managing Behavior and Building a Classroom Community

6. Set Clear Expectations

• Self-Contained Classrooms: Establish consistent routines and clear expectations and make sure to pre-teach these to your students and review periodically. Visual expectations and social skills stories can help reinforce desired behaviors to your students. These should be stated positively to your students. Plan activities that promote social skills andpeer interactions. Group activities and cooperative learning can help build a sense of classroom community.
• Resource Rooms: Establish classroom routines and expectations at the beginning of the year. Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior choices. Encourage inclusive practices and collaboration among your students. Plan classroom activities that promote kindness and understanding.

Back to School Tips: Self-Care and Professional Growth

8. Prioritize Self-Care

Teaching can be demanding, so it’s important to take care of yourself. Set aside time for yourself for relaxation and hobbies. Regular self-care ensures you’re at your best for you and your students. By implementing these tips, you can create an organized, supportive, and effective learning environment for your students. Here’s to a successful and rewarding school year!

Read more back to school tips:

Back to School Activities

10 Tools You Need This Year

First Weeks of School

Classroom Must Haves

Gift Ideas for Your Team

Fun SEL Activities for your school day

Teacher Organization Tips

Sped Teacher Organization Tips