Learning Forward’s Post

🔍 7 Essential Qualities of an Outstanding Special Education Advocate As a parent navigating the special education system, choosing the right advocate can make all the difference. Here's what to look for: ✅ Proper certification and continuous professional development ✅ Proven track record with verifiable successes ✅ Up-to-date knowledge of special education laws ✅ Strong communication and interpersonal skills ✅ Expertise in educational documentation ✅ Structured advocacy process ✅ Clear ethical standards I've detailed each of these qualities in an easy-to-remember framework and discuss how to verify them in my latest newsletter. Whether you're currently working with an advocate or considering hiring one, this guide will help you make an informed decision. #SPEDadvocacy #SpecialEducation #ParentingResources #IEPhelp

A great blog to read if you're thinking of doing your teacher training or want other ways to gather experience in the sector. Everyone's career path is different and it's always great to see how other people begin their journeys so you can be inspired to pursue your own! 🙌 #HugeSmallVictories #WitherslackGroup #WitherslackGroupCareers #PowerofaGreatTeacher

Let us know what barriers to engaging with with education product/service providers you've experienced in the comments!

Students' growth, success and happiness is only the best award a teacher can aspire for...

Shaping Educator Professional Identity: The professional identity of educators is shaped by several key factors. It is influenced by the specific context in which they work, developing through their relationships with colleagues, students, and the community, while also encompassing emotional dimensions. This identity is dynamic, reflecting a range of experiences and perspectives that evolve over time. Moreover, it is constructed and reconstructed through personal narratives, allowing teachers to find deeper meaning in their roles and experiences. Together, these elements highlight the multifaceted nature of a teacher's professional identity.

I want to send out a huge thank you this morning to Ray Pinder and his leadership team at Hernando County School District for hosting a site visit yesterday and giving 12 other Florida school districts a chance to see Hernando’s Associate Substitute Teacher Program in action. We can’t solve the teacher shortage crisis without district leaders like Ray Pinder, who are willing to challenge the status quo. As a former principal, assistant superintendent, and now superintendent at Hernando County School District, Ray saw firsthand the widespread teacher shortage and the challenges it imposed on schools. Traditional hiring fairs and other recruiting strategies weren’t cutting it anymore, especially as local educator programs dwindled. Then Ray learned about BloomBoard and the possibilities for creating a teacher pathway for current district employees: People could earn their bachelor’s degree and teaching credential via an on-the-job approach to higher education coursework. Ray figured out the district could cover the cost of an associate teacher in training for less than the district was budgeting to fill vacancies. And it meant more talent in the teacher pipeline and more people in classrooms immediately.  Ray was willing to navigate the initial challenges of setting up an employer-delivered educational program. From figuring out how to leverage his staff to navigating the bureaucracy of state licensure, he pushed the envelope on solutions. His original goal? Enroll five associate teachers in the first year. The result? Thirty-four signed up and are thriving. (You can hear directly from them in our video.) Here’s to leaders like Ray and districts like Hernando County - embracing new models, challenging higher ed, and pioneering change for a brighter educational future.

I often think about the fact that some of the most important work of teaching - reflecting on the semester and revising materials and planning for the next semester - is very frequently unpaid in adjunct teaching. Even though the whole adjunct system is a mess for many reasons, it would definitely be a big deal if every contract simply had 5 hours tacked on to it reserved for revision and planning at the end of a term. This is one of those things that is partly "pedagogy" but also about a structural feature of job titles and contracts that is tough to address purely through pedagogical advocacy.

Job Description/Summary: Assumes professional responsibility for providing specialized learning experiences and supervision of students with disabilities in a supportive and positive classroom climate that develops in each student the skills, attitudes, and knowledge to meet and exceed the State Core Curriculum Content Standards as outlined in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for the student, using approved curricula and directives of the school. Achieving academic excellence requires ... #njschooljobs #teachingjobs #nj

To transform the education system by integrating emotional education with intellectual development, fostering empathy, compassion, and human connection, and empowering individuals to thrive in both their personal and professional lives, ultimately cultivating a more compassionate and harmonious society. What do you think?

Embracing Education: A Farewell with Gratitude and Insight Join us for an insightful discussion on the significance of rules and education in public spaces. Our main character, SPEAKER_02, expresses gratitude while emphasizing the need for proper understanding and respectful interaction. This engaging conversation highlights the value of knowledge and community awareness! #EducationMatters #PublicSpaces #CommunityEngagement #RespectfulInteraction #KnowledgeIsPower #Gratitude #LifeLessons #ConversationStarters #SocialAwareness #RuleOfLaw