Developing Effective Special Educators: Building Bridges Across the Profession

How can novice special education teachers improve their practice and grow as professionals? How can veteran teachers remain connected to their profession and share their knowledge and skills? In this readable, research-based guide, the authors outline a program of collaboration to enable novice teachers to gain insight from their more experienced colleagues. The book argues that epistemic empathy is a core attribute to develop in practitioners at all levels of experience in order to apply principles of special education practice in thoughtful and innovative ways. The authors show how to develop the dispositions and repertoire for successful teaching by building bridges across the profession. This dialogical approach is the foundation for sustained growth at all levels of practice, and for deepening the kind of practical wisdom that comes with time. Book Features: Provides a practical review of special education principles, practices, and theory, as well as relevant current research. Scaffolds work in the zone of proximal development for novices, their mentors, and supervisors in an effort to improve practice through collaboration. Offers plans and ideas for support and refection that will contribute to personal growth and lead to strong leadership.

Table of Contents:
Contents Introduction  1 How Learning Theory Shapes the Argument for Epistemic Empathy  1 The Promise of Epistemic Empathy  3 Instructional Principles and Practices  5 The Story of Ruby and Her Associates  5 The Metaphor of the Bridge  6 The BRIDGE Solution  7 CROSSING I: THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE  9 1.  Special Education Policy  15 Reviewing ESSA  15 Reviewing IDEA  16 Reviewing Section 504  18 Implementing the Legislation  19 Epistemic Empathy Exercise  20 Bridge Builder  20 2.  Instructional Planning  22 Gathering Data  22 Incorporating Best Practice  23 Considering Additional Strategies  25 Managing Different Levels of Need  27 Epistemic Empathy Exercise  29 Bridge Builder  30 3.  Student Behavior  31 Providing an Environment for Success  31 Applying Positive Behavior Intervention Supports in the Classroom  33 Implementing a Behavior Intervention Plan  35 Making Students Accountable for Their Own Behavior  36 Epistemic Empathy Exercise  37 Bridge Builder  38 CROSSING II: THE ROLLING BRIDGE  39 4.  Curriculum and Assessment  44 Applying Standards to Special Education  44 Meeting Challenges of the General Education Curriculum  45 Reviewing Specialized Curriculum and Assistive Technology  47 Assessing Student Progress Toward Meeting the Standards  50 Epistemic Empathy Exercise  51 Bridge Builder  52 5.  Culturally Responsive Pedagogy  53 Establishing Classroom Climate  54 Fostering Communication  55 Promoting Learning Strategies  56 Understanding Behavior Management  59 Epistemic Empathy Exercise  60 Bridge Builder  60 6.  Social and Emotional Learning  62 Developing Empathy  63 Engendering Self-Determination  64 Teaching Students Who Have Experienced Trauma  64 Building Social and Emotional Skills Outside the Classroom  65 Epistemic Empathy Exercise  67 Bridge Builder  68 CROSSING III: THE MOSTAR BRIDGE  70 7.  Collaboration  76 Recognizing the Perspective of Another  76 Developing Relationship Skills  77 Fostering Relationship Skills and Teaching  78 Enhancing Social Awareness and Communication  80 Epistemic Empathy Exercise  83 Bridge Builder  83 8.  Application  85 Leveraging Social Interaction, Epistemic Empathy, and Disciplinary Knowledge  87 BRIDGE: A Problem Solving Model  87 BRIDGE: In Action  89 Epistemic Empathy Exercise  91 Bridge Builder  92 CROSSING IV: THE PROVIDENCE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE  94 References  96 Index  103 About the Authors  110