Surprise! April had five Wednesdays, so you're getting a bonus episode to wrap up our Inclusion Series—and this one is all about action.

Throughout the month, we’ve broken down the barriers to inclusion, defined what inclusion really means, explored reverse inclusion, and shared how to build strong inclusive teams. But there’s one piece we haven’t covered yet: how to actually implement inclusion successfully.

In this episode, I’m sharing practical, realistic tips to help you support students in general education settings with confidence and purpose—whether you’re a special education teacher, paraprofessional, or co-teaching partner.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why “hovering” isn't the best strategy—and what to do instead
• How to use roaming support to increase student independence
• Ideas for using small group instruction effectively in inclusive classrooms
• What true co-teaching should look like and feel like
• The biggest dos and don’ts for providing support during inclusion
• How to keep collaboration strong and student dignity intact

Key Takeaways:

• Inclusion isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. It’s about taking small, intentional steps to help every student feel seen, valued, and supported.
• The less you are doing for your students, the BETTER you are doing your job!

✨ Free Resource Alert!

To celebrate the week before Teacher Appreciation Week, I’ve teamed up with 12 amazing special education educators to give you a bundle of FREE resources!
From task boxes to IEP tools, impact statement support to classroom visuals—you’ll find tons of useful goodies for your program.

👉 Click here to grab your freebies (**You'll click this link to opt-in to each contributor's email list to receive the freebies**)

Or head to spedprepacademy.com/podcast to sign up for the newsletter and get access there, too.

• Sign up for the weekly newsletter: spedprepacademy.com/podcast
• Follow me on Instagram: @spedprepacademy
• Leave a review or share the episode with a fellow educator!

Thanks for hanging out with me today. You’re doing amazing work—and you’re never alone on this journey. 💛

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

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Inclusion sounds amazing in theory—but in practice? It can feel scary, complicated, and even a little overwhelming. In today’s episode, I’m addressing into the real-world barriers that can stand in the way of building inclusive classrooms… and sharing what we can do to push past them. From time constraints and unclear roles to limited resources and resistance from staff, we’re talking about the tough stuff—and how to respond with creativity, teamwork, and intention.

You’ll walk away from this episode with a knowledge of common barriers keeping us from implementing inclusion and practical tips you can implement right away, whether you're a new special education teacher or a veteran navigating a tough team dynamic.

What You'll Learn:

• Common barriers to inclusion
  • Administration
  • Teachers
  • Students
• How to advocate for time to collaborate with general education teachers
• Tips for clarifying roles and responsibilities on inclusion teams
• The importance of building a culture of belonging for all students
• A real-life example of simple, inclusive differentiation using colored paper

Links & Resources:

• Join the weekly newsletter for exclusive content & freebies: spedprepacademy.com/podcast
• Looking for strategies to improve team communication? Check out my Conversation Skills: Tips for Courageous Conversations resource on TpT
• Follow me on Instagram: @spedprepacademy
• Email me: jennifer@spedprepacademy.com – I love hearing your stories!

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
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This third segment in our April inclusion series discusses the crucial aspect of building successful inclusion teams. If you missed the earlier discussions on the core principles of inclusion and reverse inclusion strategies, be sure to check out the previous episodes.

Today, we focus on the importance of teamwork in providing inclusive classrooms for our students because true inclusivity cannot be achieved single-handedly.

Key Insights:

1. The Power of Teamwork:
   • Effective inclusion requires a united team where general education teachers, paraprofessionals, specialists, and special education teachers communicate openly and share clear roles.
   • Challenges arise when inclusion is treated as a checkbox item, leading to frustration and a lack of genuine inclusivity.
2. Why Teamwork Is Non-Negotiable in Inclusion:
   • Inclusion must be a shared mindset, not just a physical setting, necessitating clear communication, shared goals, and mutual respect among all team members.
3. 5 Steps to Effective Inclusion:
   • Establish Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Use tools like expectation sheets and weekly planning templates to clarify who does what, enhancing confidence and effectiveness.
   • Support Paraprofessionals with Purpose: Provide adequate training, clear instructions, and regular feedback to paraprofessionals to ensure they are valuable, informed team members.
   • Choose the Right Co-Teaching Model: Select from various co-teaching models to find the best fit for your classroom dynamics and educational goals.
   • Use Scheduling and Planning Tools: Implement tools like Google Calendar and visual schedules to manage logistics and ensure consistent, compliant support.
   • Address Challenges Proactively: Encourage regular team check-ins to discuss what’s working, address challenges, and refine strategies to prevent issues from escalating.

This episode outlines a straightforward five-step process to boost your inclusion efforts. Remember, effective inclusion starts with a well-coordinated team where every member understands their role and contributes towards a common goal.

If you'd like a FREE Inclusion Planning Sheet, sign up for the weekly newsletter at www.spedprepacademy.com/podcast.

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
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TPT