Your first month as an inclusion teacher: what actually matters


The first month of school can feel a little like being dropped into a moving car and being told, “Okay, drive!” 😂 This will be my thirteenth year in my school and I still feel super overwhelmed during the first weeks of school.

We have to learn student names, figure out our schedules, student schedules, read IEPs, try to build relationships with students, and figure out how to work with a whole bunch of different teachers.

Oh, and you're supposed to teach, too.

No pressure.

The good news? You do not need to have everything figured out during your first month.

Your biggest job right now is to gather information.

Who are your students? What do they need? How do your co-teachers work? Which systems are actually going to make your life easier?

I put together a new post with the things I think are actually worth focusing on during those first few weeks.

👉 [Read: What to Do During Your First Month as an Inclusion Teacher]

Inside, I cover:

  • How to get to know your students beyond their IEPs
  • What you really need to know from their IEPs
  • How to establish communication with your co-teachers
  • How to figure out where your support is actually needed
  • Simple ways to track accommodations and student data
  • Why you shouldn't try to fix everything immediately
  • And what you absolutely do not need to accomplish during your first month

My biggest advice?

Observe before you overhaul.

You don't have to walk in on Day 1 with the perfect system, the perfect schedule, and a color-coded binder that would make Pinterest proud.

Give yourself time to see what your students and classrooms actually need.

Then build your systems around that.

👉 [Read the full post: What to Do During Your First Month as an Inclusion Teacher]

You've got this. ❤️

I am still reading The Calamity Club. Nothing against the book, I just have a little toddler who doesn't leave me with much reading time. I am excited to get further into it because I keep hearing how good it is.

Katie

Hi, I’m a creator

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