Roger Pierangelo - Teaching in a special education classroom: a step-by-step guide for educators

This book is dedicated to my wife, Jackie, and my two children, Jacqueline and Scott, who provide me with the love and purpose for undertaking projects that I hope will enhance the lives of others. My life has been blessed by their loving presence.

I also dedicate this book to my parents, who provided me with the secure and loving foundation from which to grow; my sister, Carol, who makes me smile and laugh; and my brother-in-law, George, who has always been a positive guiding light in my professional journey.

R. P.

This book is dedicated to my wife, Anita, and two children, Collin and Brittany, who give me the greatest life imaginable. The long hours and many years it took to finish this book would never have been possible without the support of my loving wife. Her constant encouragement, understanding, and love provide me with the strength I need to accomplish my goals. I thank her with all my heart. I also dedicate this book to my parents, who have given me support and guidance throughout my life. Their words of encouragement and guidance have made my professional journey a rewarding and successful experience.

G. G.

Copyright 2008 by Corwin Press.

First Skyhorse Publishing edition 2018

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Michael Dubowe

Print ISBN: 978-1-63450-718-9

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63450-719-6

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Preface

T he Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching in a Special Education Classroom is aimed at providing educators with very practical advice on a variety of topics faced by special educators every day. The Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching in a Special Education Classroom will provide new teachers with practical guidelines for beginning the school year as a special education teacher and experienced teachers with supportive information that may help improve their classrooms.

You may be hired in the field of special education in a variety of settings, including a resource room, self-contained special class, or an inclusion setting. This book focuses on the various steps that should be taken to ensure the welfare of the children; the appropriate educational setting; information that should be gathered; communicating with related-service providers, parents, paraprofessionals, and assistant teachers; and other areas to make your job easier and more rewarding. This book assumes nothing and provides important information for all three settings. When noted, certain information is best suited for a specific type of setting. If not noted, then assume that the information being presented applies to all three settings.

This guide is formatted to provide a very practical, experience-based body of knowledge that assumes nothing and allows you to hit the floor running if you are placed in a job as a special education teacher on September 1.

Acknowledgments

I n the course of writing this book, we have encountered many professional and outstanding Web sites. Those resources have contributed and continue to contribute enormous information, support, guidance, and education to parents, students, and professionals in the area of special education. Although we have accessed many worthwhile sites, we especially thank and acknowledge the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Institutes of Health.

Both Dr. Pierangelo and Dr. Giuliani extend sincere thanks to Allyson Sharpe, Laureen Shea, and Libby Larson for all of their hard work and dedication toward making this book a reality. We could not have completed it without your constant support and encouragement. We would also like to thank the following for their professional contributions to the book:

John Fry

Social Studies/Emotional Behavioral Disorder/Learning Disability Teacher

Care/Treatment and Special Education Department

Hopkins School District

Woodbury, MN

Teri Fechter

Special Education and Learning Disability Teacher

Franklin Elementary School

Little Chute, WI

Nicole Chiarello-Guyon

Special Education Teacher

Westerly School Department

Cranston, RI

Roger Pierangelo: I extend thanks to the following: the faculty, administration, and staff of the Department of Graduate Special Education and Literacy at Long Island University; Ollie Simmons, for her friendship, loyalty, and great personality; the students and parents of the Herricks Public Schools whom I have worked with and known over the past 35 years; the late Bill Smyth, a truly gifted and extraordinary ordinary man; and Helen Firestone, for her influence on my career and her tireless support.

George Giuliani: I extend sincere thanks to all of my colleagues at Hofstra University in the School of Education and Allied Human Services. I am especially grateful to those who have made my transition to Hofstra University such a smooth one, including Maureen Murphy (dean), Darra Pace (chairperson), Frank Bowe, Diane Schwartz (graduate program director of early childhood special education), Daniel Sciarra, Gloria Wilson, Laurie Johnson, Joan Bloomgarden, Jamie Mitus, Estelle Gellman, Holly Seirup, Adele Piombino, Marjorie Butler, and Eve Byrne. I also thank my brother and sister, Roger and Claudia; my mother-in-law, Ursula Jenkeleit; my sisters-in-law, Karen and Cindy; and my brothers-in-law, Robert and Bob. They have provided me with encouragement and reinforcement in all of my personal and professional endeavors.

About the Authors

Dr. Roger Pierangelo, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Special Education and Literacy at Long Island University. He has been an administrator of special education programs; served for 18 years as a permanent member of Committees on Special Education; has over 30 years of experience in the public school system as a general education classroom teacher and school psychologist; and serves as a consultant to numerous private and public schools, PTA, and SEPTA groups. Dr. Pierangelo has also been an evaluator for the New York State Office of Vocational and Rehabilitative Services and a director of a private clinic. He is a New York Statelicensed clinical psychologist, a certified school psychologist, and a Board Certified Diplomate Fellow in Student and Adolescent Psychology and Forensic Psychology. Dr. Pierangelo is the executive director of the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) and an executive director of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals (AASEP). He also holds the office of vice president of the National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE).