Skip to content
  • Login
$0.00 0 Cart
  • Memberships
  • Products
  • About
    • About SES
    • Our Method
    • Instructional Suggestions
    • Common Core Content Activities
    • FAQ’s
  • News
  • Digital Resources
  • Blog
  • Memberships
  • Products
  • About
    • About SES
    • Our Method
    • Instructional Suggestions
    • Common Core Content Activities
    • FAQ’s
  • News
  • Digital Resources
  • Blog
Subscribe Now

5 Items Every Special Education Teacher Needs

  • Erica Price
  • November 8, 2023
  • Blog, Instruction, special education teachers

Special education teachers are heroes who work tirelessly to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students with special needs. To effectively meet the unique requirements of their students, these educators rely on a variety of essential materials. Let’s explore, in my opinion, the top five materials that every special education teacher should have in their classroom for a successful and enriching learning experience.

  1. Fidgets. Sensory sensitivities are common among many students with special needs. It is essential to create a sensory-friendly classroom environment. Special education teachers should have a range of sensory tools and calming resources available. These may include fidgets (affiliate link), weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones, and even a sensory corner to help students regulate their sensory needs and reduce anxiety.
  2. Visual Supports. Many students with special needs benefit from visual supports and communication aids. These tools can include visual schedules, expectation boards, first/then cards, and communication boards. They help students better understand and navigate the classroom environment, communicate with others, and participate in daily activities. Having a variety of visual supports on hand can make a significant difference in the classroom’s accessibility.
  3. Classroom Materials. Special education teachers must be resourceful in adapting educational materials to meet the diverse needs of their students. This may include using tactile materials, large print books, adapted books, or adapted/modified content. The ability to modify and customize educational materials to suit individual learning styles and abilities is a hallmark of special education. Incorporating adaptive tools and materials ensures that every student can access and engage with the curriculum, promoting a more inclusive and supportive environment.
  4. Flexible Seating. Creating a comfortable and inclusive learning environment is essential for special education classrooms. Flexible seating options, such as adjustable stadium chairs (affiliate link), stability ball chairs (affiliate link), kick bands (affiliate link), or other types of sensory-friendly seating, can help students stay engaged and focused during lessons.
  5. Assistive Technology. Assistive technology is a game-changer in special education. This includes software, hardware, and devices that help students with disabilities access and engage with the curriculum and those around them. Examples include screen readers, text-to-speech software, speech recognition programs, adaptive keyboards, switches, and specialized educational apps. Assistive technology empowers students to become more independent learners and helps them overcome barriers to their education. Special education teachers should be well-versed in these technologies and have them readily available in their classrooms.

Conclusion:

Special education teachers are champions of inclusion, diversity, and individualized learning. The materials they use in their classrooms play a critical role in creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment for their students. By having essential materials such as visual supports, adapted educational materials, communication aids, sensory tools, and assistive technology at their disposal, special education teachers can accommodate their students’ unique needs, enabling them to reach their full potential.

What are your top items needed in a special education classroom? Share out and let us know your thoughts and opinions!

Disclosure: I really love the stuff I am talking about in my post and if I’m making a tiny bit of money through affiliate links, it is even better! Plus, there is no charge to you for using the link. Check out my link above. You will love this as much as I do!

© Price and Willoughby, LLC
© SymbolStix
Cover picture from iStock

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Testimonials

Ashley Crowe
Ashley CrowePowell County Middle School
I am beyond grateful to have materials from SpecialEd Simplified! The lessons are broken down and accessible for all of my students. It is much easier to focus on delivering meaningful instruction when I don’t have to worry about developing the lessons myself.
Kelly Gruneisen
Kelly GruneisenMcNabb Middle School
SpecialEdSimplified has been a lifesaver! Their Alternate Assessment products are aligned to the standards with multiple formats to allow access for all students. Implementing their products in my classroom has kept me from needing to reinvent the wheel and allowed me to focus on instruction and the needs of my students.
Delores Perkins
Delores PerkinsHCH, Special Education
The curriculum is a time saver for busy teachers. The curriculum gives me a place to start instruction, and I don’t have to put in hours searching for picture symbols or coming up with my own ideas from scratch.
Margaret Marotta
Margaret MarottaWilliamson County Schools, TN
SpecialEdSimplified has been an invaluable tool in my special education classroom. Teaching students on alternate assessments and paths to graduation is a constant struggle due to the shortage of quality materials and texts. SpecialEdSimplified provides quality materials that align with the general education curriculum and help prepare students for assessments. Get it!!! Now!! Make your life easier and your students’ learning better.
Blaker Render
Blaker RenderCaverna County, KY
I teach a wide variety of grades.  I'm in a small school that has middle and high schools combined.  I teach 6 grades.  So, having pre-made materials that I could print and sort by student made it easy for me to stay organized while working with multiple students on multiple grade levels, ability levels, and subjects all at the same time.  This same binder system also eliminated the need for substitute lesson plan preps as my paraprofessional and the sub were able to easily see where each student was at that moment and continue instruction.
Holly Wells
Holly WellsCamargo Elementary School
Trying to teach standards to students with significant cognitive, communication, fine motor, gross motor, and social skills deficits is like trying to catch a wild muddy hog! Thankfully SpecialEdSimplified has done exactly what their name says! Taken abstract standards and turned them into accessible and simplified standards for my students. SpecialEdSimplified not only simplified the standards but also my lesson plans!
  • Price and Willoughby, LLC
  • PO Box 1462
  • Mt. Sterling, KY 40353
  • Phone: 859-474-0259
  • Fax: 888-482-3210
  • sales@priceandwilloughby.com
Facebook Twitter Instagram
All activities are only based on Common Core Standards. We express no guarantee on test scores.
  • Products
  • Memberships
  • About
  • News
  • Blogs
  • Get Tax-Exempt Status
  • Return Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
View Cart Checkout Continue Shopping
  • Memberships
  • Products
  • About
    • About SES
    • Our Method
    • Instructional Suggestions
    • Common Core Content Activities
    • FAQ’s
  • News
  • Digital Resources
  • Blog
  • Memberships
  • Products
  • About
    • About SES
    • Our Method
    • Instructional Suggestions
    • Common Core Content Activities
    • FAQ’s
  • News
  • Digital Resources
  • Blog
Subscribe Now
  • Login
Facebook Twitter