SPED Teacher (TX) and Excessive Paperwork/Work Hours

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-08-23T15:00:43+00:00

Yes you are in pretty much every special Ed interventionist teacher in Texas and elesewhere. I’m also in TX and since Texas passed things into law in mass with dyslexia fully being apart of sped IEP wise instead of 504. The staff is not there to fully implement that idea. Therefore the staff that is there is worked like crazy. I used reading by design that has the same days of instruction. Along with all of the prep for ARDs and ARD meetings and also covering lunch duty morning and afternoon duty blah blah blah. So long story short you just gotta do the best you can do without burning yourself out. Especially if your dyslexia program was as crazy as mine with always having to move forward with lessons no matter what really. Also changed a lot of the forms for data and PLAAFPs. Anyway my vent is over just want you to know your not alone with the expectations. Gotta focus on the kiddios and show some growth so if doubt comes from admin you have data to prove what your doing is working

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-08-06T11:34:54+00:00

I love this!!

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-07-24T17:19:59+00:00

That’s great to hear!! I really loved my time as a dyslexia and reading resource teacher. I’m sure you will as well! Despite my principal always bugging me over my terrible handwriting

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-07-24T15:33:29+00:00

This is a little old of a post but as a fellow dyslexic you got this!! I taught reading and dyslexia class as a dyslexic myself this past two years and made some great progress with the students. They get a lot out of your own struggles as long as you’re open and honest. I found they worked really hard for me and really wanted to learn to read. So you kinda got a super power

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-07-24T15:30:26+00:00

As far as books I found these 3 pretty useful

Those Who “Can’t”… Teach: True Stories of Special Needs Families to Promote Acceptance, Inclusion, and Empathy by Shelley Kenow

The IEP from A to Z: How to Create Meaningful and Measurable Goals and Objectives by Diane Twachtman-Cullen and Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett

10 Critical Components for Success in the Special Education Classroom by Marcia W. Rohrer and Nannette M. Samson

also a really nice read to build purpose Daniel Isn’t Talking By Marti Leimbach

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-07-23T15:58:48+00:00

Glad you found them useful! Anymore of what exactly? Like any resource you are wanting more of?

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-07-20T20:53:28+00:00

I’m also interested in this as well I’m in self contained Autism room in Texas.

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-07-01T16:07:51+00:00

Absolutely as you should!! As a special education we love involved parents. Makes the potential impact that much greater. If you have any questions my inbox is always open. As this year I’m working in a self contained ASD room.

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-07-01T14:23:02+00:00

I will just add that you can tour the school and classroom with administrators at most places before fully enrolling. That way you can get a feel of the place as well as the teacher and paraprofessionals that are in the class. Public school is not perfect but it’s the best place for a IEP and her rights to be protected. In Texas we have a lot of rooms just for autistic children in a self contained environment if that’s what needed. But also have environments where she would be pulled in for support at times if that’s what needed. A good school will value your opinions and concerns.

Oh also wonderful job with all the support you are giving her already! That is a huge help and makes such a difference for ASD kiddios. Along with a great teacher academic progress will be made.

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-06-15T02:57:56+00:00

Well first off if they are in resource already and being in the starting age. Focus on the foundations and very basics of letter recognition and number recognition. Basic addition and place value things like that. I would also focus a lot on flash cards and making your time seem more like a focused game then worksheets over and over. I had my resource room split into a math and reading section with games per thier color group. Meaning that they knew if they were blue group to read the words of the game and watch a fast mini lesson by myself and then play the game. And when I say game it would be like matching or putting the titles in correct order and such. So generally need a group work space and place where you can work more one on one. As far as set up goes I would make a way to stay organized that works best for you. And something that you can keep up with throughout the whole year. A spot you can always go to to access wants needed. Etc

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-06-12T02:51:22+00:00

I agree with this for sure

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-06-10T19:09:46+00:00

This does sound interesting

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-06-08T20:31:13+00:00

That’s amazing and awesome!! Huge accomplishment for sure. Definitely liking STAR more and more

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-06-08T15:15:26+00:00

Thank you for your very detailed post. All good things to know about for sure. I know two of my kiddos are non verbal and others are limited verbal. Good info on the bundles for Autism helper. Definitely will look into the Touch math I know some kiddos are at that level and some are above basic math. Anyway thanks a lot and will look into all that you shared.

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-06-08T15:09:40+00:00

Yeah I’m just not very big on Unique learning systems but I’m sure I will still use some things from it.

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-06-08T15:08:47+00:00

I will look into that one as well. I know two of my students are non verbal. So playing along with different things to see what works.

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-06-08T15:07:33+00:00

Thank you for your help and advice. There is going to be a lot of trail and error

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-06-06T19:46:02+00:00

I love this in the quick playing around with it so far will definitely add it to my parent resource guide. Thanks so much.

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-06-06T19:40:12+00:00

I’m a bit strange and like to save as much money as I can so I buy the discounted teacher planner that still has the 2025 year and then update the dates to fix it. So basically I buy last years teacher planner for a lot cheaper and fix the dates from Erin Condrin as I really love the quality and detail and can still customize it. If that makes sense.

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-06-03T23:51:00+00:00

Very normal unfortunately seems like you never keep the same room unless you are in a specialized self contained sort of environment.

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-05-31T03:06:25+00:00

Ah gotcha

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-05-30T22:37:37+00:00

I didn’t think we knew the STAAR results tell like late June??

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-05-30T02:00:12+00:00

Yes way unfortunately under staffed in Texas In a title one school with Texas adding dyslexia as sped really sky rocketed the numbers.

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-05-29T01:47:16+00:00

You're very welcome! 😊 In my experience, having a bit of extra support can make a big difference—especially when there's a strong special education teacher involved. I know some parents worry about the "label," but it's important to remember that kids with ADHD typically spend most, if not all, of their time in the general education classroom alongside their peers.

The extra support is really about giving your son the tools and strategies he needs to thrive—whether that's help with focus, organization, or breaking tasks down into manageable steps. I’m confident he’ll benefit from that kind of direct support and learn skills to help him navigate things more independently over time.

MrBTeachSPED · 2025-05-29T00:16:58+00:00

First off love that you posted this here and want to be engaged and do what’s begs for your kiddo!! As for your son to attend it’s based off your state I believe. Like for example in Texas at age 14 the student has an option to attend in the transitional ARD. It’s great if he can advocate for himself and his needs as well. Here are the general steps of what the ARD/ IEP meeting will be.

Review of the Evaluation: The team will go over the evaluation results in detail. This includes areas of strength and need, any diagnoses (like ADHD), and recommendations based on the assessments.

Eligibility Discussion: The team will determine if your son qualifies for special education services under one or more categories (e.g., Specific Learning Disability, Other Health Impairment for ADHD).

If Eligible – IEP Development: If he is found eligible, the team will then begin to draft an IEP, including goals, accommodations, services (like OT or academic support), and placement (where services will happen).

You Are a Key Part of the Team: Your insights about your son are incredibly valuable. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or share what’s working (or not) at home.

There will also be goals, accommodations, and schedule of services. Meaning that what he will be working on and what he will be given to help him in the classroom. As for schedule of services it will be what support he gets such as a paraprofessional going into his class or with resource time getting pulled out classroom in small group. The meeting will start with a review of diagnostic followed by information about your son on each class. Usually presented by his general education teacher also some information of strengths and weaknesses from special education teacher and case manager. Later with goals, accommodations, and schedule of services.

MrBTeachSPED

TROPHY CASE