Help for Special Educators

Lisa Goodell’s podcast Tips For Teaching Students With Multiple Disabilities broadcasts the different disabilities one must have and the different things teachers can do to help promote their students well being and just simply get through the day.I chose to dive into this podcast topic as I feel it is something that is seen in most classrooms. Not necessarily even having major disabilities. It can cover a disability as simple as OCD, and can help any teacher have some tricks up her sleeve on how to handle and manage her classroom environment. The one thing that I found most memorable about her podcast with special guest Emma Harring who was a special education teacher, was the fact that they were brutally honest about all the things teachers have on their plates. They highlight how teachers have ieps, assessments, assignments, and not at all least, lesson plans. They are juggling all of this daily and still trying to show joy and learning within their classroom. I feel that her podcast is very enlightening and helps to show how everyone struggles with the same aspects in their classroom. She makes this podcast accessible to everyones knowledge base as she makes sure to explain any acronyms. Therefore, if you are unfamiliar with a term you now have an idea of what it stands for. These two women broadcast an idea that I find so motivating. When I heard this phrase about giving voices to those who do not have one, I teared up as I have seen firsthand those who struggle and do not stand up for themselves because they absolutely cannot.

“Help for Special Educators Podcast” takes on difficult topics that can be difficult to answer for both educators and parents. The host of the podcast, Lisa Goodell, is not afraid to cover the uncomfortable and tough to answer topics that are prevalent in the world of special education. The episodes of the podcast consist of topics such as tips for teaching students with multiple disabilities, ways to relieve stress, and how to promote independence. I choose to listen to episodes [Puberty and Sexuality in Special Education Classes] and [How to Survive Taking a Sick Day], where Goodell offered advice on how to handle being out of the classroom, as well as bringing on special guests to discuss puberty and sexuality. She used real life experiences on how to best handle each situation as well as hypothetical scenarios on what should be done if it were to occur. Their main solution to dealing with these difficult issues was to prepare your students before issues begin to occur. She addresses how certain students' understandings of a situation may be flawed because they were never taught how to handle them. Preparing students for a change in routine was also key in equipping them to handle certain situations. Finally, at the end of the podcast she addressed that all resources and tools mentioned in the video would be linked in the description so other educators can access them. Rounding out the episodes she encourages listeners, who are educators, to join their Facebook group and share their stories. What I liked about this podcast was its use of real life examples to show how these situations have been dealt with in real life classrooms. It also provides an invitation to their Facebook group so educators could connect with each other and share experiences.

This podcast has calmed me down in the face of a new school year during this time. Breath of fresh air to listen to the host share tips and tricks with very concrete ways to work them into your classroom (regardless of the setting). Thank you!! Love listening

I had a professor in my teaching credential program who used to say that “all good teachers beg, borrow and steal their good ideas and resources from one another.” What I love about this podcast is that every episode is FILLED with ideas, tips and tricks that I would have never thought of, no “beg, borrow, steal” required. Lisa has so much wonderful experience to share, and she interviews some amazing teachers who are full of insight and knowledge. I seriously often have to pause episodes to write down awesome tips or ideas because each episode is so packed with goodness that I don’t want to miss or forget a thing. Brand new teachers like me and experienced teachers alike can find something in this podcast. Thank you, Lisa!