Special Needs

Rely on the second edition of this user-friendly guide to help you provide a strong learning path for all students, with a focus on special needs. This resource provides key instructional strategies educators can use to create an inclusive classroom using social-emotional learning (SEL) and a multitiered system of support (MTSS).

In this practical guide, the authors present the critical conversations framework designed to foster dramatic improvements in the way co-teachers communicate.

Gain information and tools to support all children whose primary way to communicate is through challenging behaviors.

Learn specific strategies for developing behavior intervention plans (BIPs) that lead to long-term, positive change for general and special education students.

Gain specific strategies for creating and managing inclusive classrooms and guidelines for navigating the complicated legal and educational landscape of special education.

Paula Maeker is an educator, consultant, and advocate for learner-centered education. She has more than twenty-three years’ experience as an elementary teacher, literacy specialist, instructional coach, Title 1 program coordinator, campus administrator, director of elementary literacy, and director of instructional design.

Yazmin Pineda Zapata, EdD, is a program specialist and teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College in California. Her expertise in delivering special education services allows her to advocate for students in grades K–12 with varying learning differences.

Mandy Barrett, EdD, currently serves as an elementary school principal in northwest Arkansas. She has over 20 years of experience working in high-poverty schools and schools with large ESL populations.

Kimberly Salomonson provides coordination and professional development for state and district work in continuous quality improvement efforts. She served seven years as the director of pupil personnel services with the Sanger Unified School District.

Dr. Amy Williams is a program manager for California Education Partners. She has 24 years of experience in education as coordinator of inclusive services and supports, K-8 principal, special education program manager, school psychologist, and teacher.