Lessons Learned from the Special Education Classroom: Creating Opportunities for All Students to Listen, Learn, and Lead

Lessons Learned from the Special Education Classroom offers practical techniques and research-based suggestions where all students, regardless of their abilities, are actively engaged in a vigorous, scaffolded, differentiated classroom taught by a compassionate, equitable teacher. With 25 years of classroom expertise, the author shares her down-to-earth suggestions for building classroom community and embracing all learners while offering concrete suggestions for creating respectful parent and student partnerships. At the end of each chapter, Peg outlines how to use the chapter in a professional book club, as a PLC resource, and as a Professional Development supplement.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Accept Every Student as They Are Chapter 2: Scaffolding a Lesson is Just Good Teaching Chapter 3: Responding to Every Student Chapter 4: Students Want to Feel Loved Chapter 5: Empathy, Equality, and Equity Chapter 6: The Community of Family Chapter 7: Change Your Language; Change Your Mindset Chapter 8: Share What You’ve Learned with Others Chapter 9: Ask Your Colleagues for Help Chapter 10: Celebrate—It’s Good for the Soul About the Author

About the Author :
Peg Grafwallner, M.Ed., is an Instructional Coach/Reading Specialist at a large urban school in Milwaukee, WI. Currently, Peg models, coaches, and assists teachers in creating comprehensive literacy lessons meant to enhance skill-building. As an educator and parent of both a gifted and talented child and a special needs child, Peg advocated for her children’s education, explicitly supporting the needs of both children while also reinforcing the expectations of their teachers.

Review :
Lessons Learned from the Special Education Classroom is a quick and practical read . . . By the end of the book, educators will feel affirmed in their good work: being transparent with students, remaining optimistic and positive, starting with the why and goal of each lesson, personalizing and differentiating instruction, as well as collaborating with parents, principals and colleagues. They will also be inspired to try new techniques, strategies or language choices to make their classrooms even more inclusive, authentic and inspiring. I've been eagerly awaiting Peg Grafwallner's first book, and the result is an abundance of wisdom and practical strategies from an experienced, impassioned educator. Grafwallner has long been my go-to source for inspiring ideas that strengthen my relationships with students and their parents. Equal parts heart and sage advice, this book will transform your teaching! Lessons Learned from the Special Education Classroom is a book that is important, timely, and spans multiple groups of stakeholders in terms of audience. The book is relevant to parents and educators alike, and provides actionable steps to support students receiving special services. Furthermore, the reflection questions at the end of each chapter make this book a great candidate for book studies and professional development. Labels limit--so why use them? Lessons Learned from the Special Education Classroom, is full of useful ideas and applications for all teachers. Peg Grafwallner provides pages of tips and tricks that serve as reminders to veteran teachers and sound advice for new ones trying to keep their head above water. Peg’s exuberance for teaching and coaching emanates from every page. Lessons Learned is like having an instructional coach in your back pocket.