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Week 26

 



Week 26 – It Takes a Village 💗📚


Happy Valentine’s Day!


This was a short week for me because I was not feeling well on Thursday and Friday. Even in a shortened week, I learned so much about what it truly means to serve students with IEPs in a K–8 setting.


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❤️ Monday – Learning Before Leading


On Monday, I learned all about middle school classes for students with an IEP at my school.  Every student entering our middle school magnet program takes Advanced or Regular ELA, Math, and Science — and all take Advanced World History. Students also have three electives, which may include Reading or Math Academy for those who have historically struggled on state testing.


Additionally, Learning Strategies is offered for students who need explicit support with study skills and writing strategies and have that support documented in their IEP.


I did not know all of this before Monday — and that is okay.


The only way I can grow is by asking questions.


There was some confusion among fifth grade teachers, so I asked our principal if she could help clarify expectations. I am still building rapport and credibility. Leadership is not about knowing everything — it is about being willing to learn publicly and share that learning with others.


I cannot teach others what I have not first been taught.


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📊 Tuesday – Systems, Minutes, and Urgency


On Tuesday, I sat down with our staffing specialist for general education students. We discussed creating a monthly Support Facilitator meeting to collaborate.  She agreed — and we will now meet once a month.


We discussed:

• Pull-out minutes (decoding, fluency, comprehension)

• Push-in Support Facilitation minutes (most effective in grades 4–12)

• Learning Strategies placement

• Projection decisions based on student data and compliance


In grade-level collaboration meetings, we discussed the urgency of maintaining small-group instruction in both ELA and Math. Administration communicated that our school is at a critical place in maintaining state testing gains.


There are legal, instructional, and ethical layers to every service minute on an IEP. Schools must analyze minutes carefully to determine staffing and support for the following year.


There is far more strategy behind scheduling than most people realize.


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📝 Wednesday – Amendments, Accessibility & Behavior Supports


Wednesday was full.


Two amendment meetings in the morning. Two meetings after school.


In our Support Facilitator meeting, we reviewed projection minutes and collaborated on recommendations. In my second meeting with separate classroom teachers, we discussed district testing data entry procedures and reflected on accessible testing accommodations for first and second grade students.


We explored alternative response methods such as:

• Tap-It devices

• Physical A/B/C response cards

• Color coding

• Image scaffolds


These supports are especially powerful for our most fragile learners.


We also discussed the role of behavior technicians in the classroom. Some students are supported by RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians) who report to a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) and follow behavior plans. School-based implementation looks different than clinic-based Applied Behavior Analysis services.


RBTs collaborate with:

• The classroom teacher

• School behavior specialist

• Assistant principal


They can offer suggestions, but those suggestions must align with the classroom structure and the student’s educational needs. It is a partnership — not a takeover.


There are so many moving parts in being an ESE teacher and Support Facilitator.


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🌱 Growth & Confidence


I am just scratching the surface of this role.


But I am learning to demonstrate confidence again.


I am learning that leadership is not dominance — it is service.

It is asking questions.

It is building systems.

It is communicating clearly.

It is protecting compliance while protecting people.


Most importantly, it is remembering that it truly takes a village.


I am grateful for mentors who have poured into me and for colleagues who teach me daily. I hope I always remain someone willing to learn first — and then help others learn.


Because we all have something to give. 💗

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