Empowering Students with Empowered IEP Teams

Funded Sep 26, 2023

Thank you so much for donating to my classroom. As a special education teacher, technology is becoming increasingly important and a staple in my classroom and across my duties. As a special educator, my job is to support student learning and make education equitable. I also have to help students plan for their long-term independent living skills, post-secondary education/training and employment goals. A transition plan is a formal part of that teaching and learning experience.

Having a device that both students and I can use help us to feel really empowered in that planning process, the outcome of which is the individualized education plan or IEP. Students are an essential component of their own IEP plan and when they can stand in front of a team of adults who support their education and tell them exactly what they need, advocate for their needs/education, then the IEP becomes a driving factor in successful education. The TV with the Apple airplay and iPad are used when students give presentations about their educational needs. It allows the process to flow very seamlessly from discussion to writing an actionable plan. The iPad and TV screen help keep all team members engaged and stay on the same page when we're going through some long list of needs that a student may have. The most exciting part is using Airplay to put our iPad screen onto the big screen.

In addition to involving students in this process, we have several related service providers who are also a part of this team, like the occupational therapist or speech language pathologist. Its not uncommon for teams to have many people- and oftentimes we work with people remotely. Our speech therapist and occupational therapist are both remote as well as several itinerant members from our very large district. By utilizing technology they can participate easily in these meetings, being heard and valued. Families of students with disabilities and the student themselves are heard and their input is more meaningful when everyone can hear them and participate in discussion. This technology enables us to do that.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Kara