Shows how AI in the classroom provides personalized learning, automates administrative tasks, and enhances engagement through tools like intelligent tutoring, lesson planning, IEP writing leveraging student and teachers’ loads.
Sitting at your desk at 5:00 PM on a Friday with a mountain of crumpled sticky notes, half-filled clipboards, and the nagging feeling that you missed a data point for “Student A’s” social-emotional goal is a rite of passage in special education. But I’m here to tell you: it doesn’t have to be your reality. … Read more
As a Special Education and English Learner teacher, I used this lesson with students who struggle with reading comprehension and written expression at my Washington DC school. For my students—many of whom navigate the world through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for significant cognitive disabilities and the added layer of English language acquisition—abstract concepts like “inferencing” … Read more
I’ll never forget the “Spring Break of 2024.” I spent the entire week huddled in a coffee shop, surrounded by piles of data, trying to write 12 annual IEPs and plan a new vocational unit on office safety. By Wednesday, I was crying into my latte. I loved my students—especially my learners with significant cognitive … Read more
Welcome to the front lines of modern special education. If you’re reading this, you’re likely a few weeks or perhaps a few months into your first year, feeling that familiar mix of passion and “how-am-I-ever-going-to-finish-this-paperwork” dread. I’ve been where you are—standing in a classroom in Washington DC, balancing the needs of students with significant cognitive … Read more
I used this lesson with students who struggle with reading comprehension and written expression, and what I discovered was that for my students, a picture truly is worth a thousand words—especially when those words are embedded in a complex digital manual or a dense informational text. My name is Maria, and my classroom is a … Read more
I’ll be honest with you. I walked into the 2-Day A.C.C.E.S.S. Literacy Framework™ Introductory Masterclass at Assumption Iloilo with a mix of excitement and nerves that I haven’t felt in a long time. Not the nervous-I-don’t-know-what-I’m-doing kind. The nervous-this-matters-so-much kind. These are Filipino teachers. My teachers. The kind of educators who show up for every … Read more
For Special Education teachers, OTs, and SLPs, AI is a powerful “cognitive prosthetic.” Let’s put my AI Assistant, Shiny, to work. These prompts are designed to create the visuals, scaffolds, and scripts that support executive functioning (EF) without overwhelming the student. Here are 10 high-impact AI prompts tailored to your Transition classroom and the specific needs of your … Read more
April holds two powerful celebrations — Autism Acceptance Day and International Children’s Book Day — and for bilingual special educators, they belong together. Diverse books with visual supports, social stories, and sensory accommodations aren’t “extras.” They’re the instructional backbone of an inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming classroom. Read on for practical strategies you can use this week, plus tools that make implementation easier.
The integration of artificial intelligence in education necessitates a shift from a “cheating mindset” to a “solving mindset,” where AI serves as a Socratic partner rather than a shortcut. By adopting “directive prompts,” students can use AI to deconstruct complex problems, bridge knowledge gaps, and enhance critical thinking rather than simply generating final answers. This approach transforms AI into a personalized tutor that fosters productive struggle and strengthens academic integrity. For the full article, visit Bilingual SPED.
AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day partner in special education. This post explores how teachers can use AI to build accessible, sensory-friendly, and multilingual environments while staying grounded in the latest professional standards. I remember my first year teaching when “tech integration” meant wheeling a heavy TV cart into the room … Read more
