Blog Post Listing

As we enter the last week of October, Halloween is approaching us quickly. I have always found Halloween to be a fun holiday, one that calls for scary costumes and delicious candy. However, I spent more than 20 years as a special education teacher & supervisor and understand that for students with varying needs, the days in school leading up to Halloween can be challenging.

Due to the costumes, parties, scary sights, and loud sounds, some students with varying needs—particularly those with sensory disorders—have a difficult time being in an overstimulating environment.  By the time adolescents reach middle school and high school, most have adapted to Halloween in their own way. Some may even come to love it! But, for those students with varying needs who do not love Halloween, I have always found that it was helpful for me to pay closer attention to them this week.

I would ask them questions, monitor their behavior, and notice if they seemed to be more anxious or stressed during Halloween week. I would also use this holiday as a time to focus on teaching them critical life and social skills. The Halloween holiday presents many opportunities for special educators to teach their students about appropriate physical boundaries, relationships, and what to wear. In fact, one of the video lessons our Healthy Relationships Curriculum program provides is teaching students what clothes to wear for various occasions. I always loved teaching this lesson and contrasting it with the Halloween holiday, so students could understand the difference between what they should wear on a typical day versus what they might dress up as for Halloween.

If you have not heard of the Healthy Relationships Curriculum yet, it is a comprehensive program designed for special educators by special educators. The program covers topics like dating, how to stay safe on social media, navigating cyberbullying, and how to complete household chores—among many other relevant and timely topics.  If you are working with students with varying needs who are on the autism spectrum, have a developmental and intellectual disability, or navigating an emotional challenge, the Healthy Relationships Curriculum is an essential resource that you will want in your classroom.

When you purchase the program, you receive more than 140 videos, lesson plans, role-playing and demonstrations, and an online portal that allows you to teach these concepts more concretely to those students and clients we work with on a daily basis. Because our team has spent decades teaching and working with students with various needs, we have been in your position and are poised to answer any questions you might have.

I would encourage you to take a look at a sample lesson or reach out to request a free trial to learn how you can implement this program with your students.

Until next time, stay safe and have a Happy Halloween!

For special education teachers, finding curriculums that will clearly educate your students about critical life and social skills activities can be tough. Trust me, I know. I spent more than 20 years as a special education teacher, and the challenges that educators face in this space are unique. You need resources, programs, and learning materials that students can understand and find interesting, especially when you are working with adolescents.

In the era we are living in, it seems like educators have to work overtime to keep their students’ attention and ensure they are engaging with the material. From smartphones to social media, there is a plethora of information for students to be distracted by.

Additionally, many schools lack adequate funding, and special education teachers often find themselves in a position of trying to “make do” with what curriculums are laying around. That is why I am so passionate about our Healthy Relationships Curriculum. It is a comprehensive and highly adaptable educational program that teaches challenging life and social skills activities to students with varying needs.

Our program covers topics like dating, appropriate physical boundaries, hygiene, cyberbullying, and how complete household chores—real, everyday issues that are impacting your students. Our program has been designed by special education teachers for special education teachers, and it encourages students not only how to pursue and maintain healthy relationships but to find value in doing so. If you are working with students with varying needs, who are on the autism spectrum, have a developmental and intellectual disability, or navigating an emotional challenge, the Healthy Relationships Curriculum

With more than 140 videos, lesson plans, role-playing and demonstrations, and an online portal that allows you to connect with our team of experts, special education teachers can have the confidence to rely on our program. It is also able to be taught in a variety of educational modalities. So, whether your school has students in the classroom full-time or you are operating on a hybrid model, transitioning will be a seamless endeavor.

I would encourage you to take a look at a sample lesson or reach out to request a free demonstration of how you can implement this program with your students.

Like many of you, I worked as a special education teacher for years, and I know that this time of year can be challenging. Halloween is approaching quickly, many schools will have a few days off for fall break, and before we know it, Thanksgiving will be around the corner.

This academic year, educators have been faced with additional challenges. For many students, this past August and September was the first time they returned to the classroom full-time in over a year. Adjusting to this transition takes time.

Additionally, because the coronavirus continues to spread, we now face a situation where schools are closing their doors periodically due to an outbreak and sending students home to learn. When this happens, educators must pivot and have their lesson plans designed in a manner that they can be taught in a hybrid model. This disruption to a traditional academic environment has meant that video calls, digital assignments, online quizzes and exams, and teaching in front of a laptop have become the new normal.

Teaching students over Zoom is not always ideal, but at this point in the pandemic, many educators have become technology experts! I don’t need to tell you but the group of students that face the greatest impact from having to learn in a virtual environment are students with varying needs. Students who are on the autism spectrum, have a cognitive challenge, a learning disability, or a unique need require specialized instruction and curriculums. Working with students who require additional support is a central component of special education, and that’s why it is so important that educators are prepared to teach critical life and social skills.

That is why I am so passionate about our Healthy Relationships Curriculum. It is made specifically for special education teachers and educators who work with students that have various needs. When you use the Healthy Relationships Curriculum, you not only receive a program that can be taught virtually or in a traditional classroom setting, but you also have our support and can contact us with questions or concerns at any time. Each lesson builds upon previous lessons, and the topics fall within a module format.

It teaches students critical life and social skills activities and when educators purchase the program, they will gain unlimited access to the following:

• myHRC Online Portal: An interactive website to assist educators in delivering the curriculum, connecting with other professionals, and easily communicating with students and parents.
• Outcome Tools: Outcome measurement tools can be shared with parents and administrators to show real-time, individual progress
• Over 140 Videos: These videos bring many lesson plans to life by showcasing role-playing and demonstrations.
• Curriculum Manual: All lesson plans include a list of materials, purposes, objectives, and quick references to related subjects.
• Visual Elements: To promote retention in visual learners
• Home Supplements: Offers specific, at-home tasks to engage the parent or guardian, reinforce the skills learned, and encourage family participation.
• Role Plays and Demonstrations: Applies lessons to actual scenarios.
• “Check For Understanding” Quizzes: Measure and assess acquired knowledge before moving on to the next lesson.
• Comprehensive Training: Available and encouraged to provide hands-on experience that builds familiarity and confidence with lesson content.

I have seen thousands of students and schools benefit from our unique, highly specialized program, and would you to sign-up for a free trial. You can do that by clicking here.

Until next time,

Jen Falkowski, M.Ed

As we usher in the fall season, October tends to be one of the busiest months for educators. Many schools will be ending their first 9-week grading period, it is getting darker sooner, and students are looking forward to the Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays. And, from parent-teacher conferences to school assemblies, it is clear the academic year is in full swing.

If you are an educator or therapist that works with students who have varying needs, it is essential that you are equipped with adequate tools and resources. As a former special education teacher, I know firsthand what it can be like to find the tools and resources that will not only support your students but you as well.

It is challenging to find a robust curriculum that provides lesson plans specifically designed for you to teach social skills activities in a manner that your students can relate to. That is why I am so passionate about the Healthy Relationships Curriculum. It is a comprehensive and highly adaptable program unlike any other!

The Healthy Relationships Curriculum includes an online portal where you can consult in real time with our team of subject matter experts, and they can help navigate any questions or problem solve any issues you might encounter as you teach. There are over 140 videos, lesson plans, role-playing and demonstrations, and a list of outcome tools, so you can measure the progress your students are making. Take a look at what is included when you purchase the program.

I have seen thousands of students and schools benefit, and I know if you are in need of additional tools and resources, you cannot go wrong with the Healthy Relationships Curriculum. To sign-up for a free trial and speak with me, click here.

Until next time,

Jen Falkowski, M.Ed

If you are an educator working with students who have varying needs, I know I do not have to tell your twice that this group of students has struggled throughout the pandemic. All students have struggled with the pandemic, but for those with varying needs, the palpable anxiety and lack of a structured academic routine caused many to fall behind. Many schools shuttered their doors to protect children from the coronavirus, and many communities are struggling to navigate the challenges that the Delta variant has brought.

Last August, Tuffs University published an article which stated that “while all students have had routines interrupted, those perhaps most affected by that disruption are special education students.” Because the field of special education covers a diverse range of needs like adolescents with a learning disability, adolescents who have visual or hearing impairments, adolescents who are on the autism spectrum, adolescents who have mental health or behavioral health challenges, or those with another varying need—educators are on the front lines trying to support them in every imaginable way.

Towards that end, the National Education Association (NEA) published a report about the overall impact the pandemic has had on special education students. The NEA’s report found that:

• Special education students along with their parents and educators have faced uniquely complicated challenges during the pandemic.
• A large population of students did not have the technology or internet access needed to participate or complete schoolwork from home.
• Thanks to staff dedication, student resilience, and stronger partnership with families and communities, many educators and students have succeeded.

Throughout the pandemic, I have heard repeatedly from educators across the country who use our program, the Healthy Relationships Curriculum, that it has been a “lifesaver” and “critical to ensuring their students’ development.” Because our program has always been able to be taught in a variety of modalities—virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid environment—when schools shuttered their doors, students were able to continue learning the lessons the Healthy Relationships Curriculum provides. There is so much about the future that is unknown, particularly when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why I would encourage you to reach out to me to learn more about how our program can support you as you teach and your students as they learn.

All my best,

Jen Falkowski, M.Ed

As you settle into a new school year, you might be wondering whether you have enough support services, learning materials, and resources for your students with varying needs. As a former special education teacher, I understand the challenges educators face—especially at this time of year.

For most of us around the country, the weather is still warm, the sun is shining, and students are having a hard time adjusting to the routine of being in school again. I have always found that special education teachers go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the students (and their families) they work with feel comfortable in the class and with the content that is being taught.

In fact, I suspect that many students with varying needs might be having an especially difficult time right now adhering to a routine and having structure considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring that students stay focused during class and teaching them information, that is not only valuable and practical to their everyday lives but interesting as well, was always one of my top priorities. Adolescents and young adults with varying needs are missing out on critical social skills and life skills which can impact their ability to function and relate to others. I know it can be extremely hard to find subject material that explains issues like dating, personal boundaries, hygiene, relationships, how to navigate bullying, and household chores to students with varying needs in a manner that they truly understand.

That is why I am so passionate about our Healthy Relationships Curriculum. It is a unique and highly adaptable program with lessons that teach critical life and social skills activities. Additionally, it was designed by special education teachers and counselors FOR special education teachers and counselors. As an educator, our program provides you with over 120 videos, role-play demonstrations, an online portal, a comprehensive manual with ready-to-use lesson plans, visual elements, outcome tools, and materials for your students’ families to encourage their participation in the educational process. If you are looking at the months ahead and wondering whether you are fully prepared with enough support and resources, look no further than our program. I hope that you will reach out to us to learn more.

The last eighteen months have been incredibly difficult for students, teachers, school personnel, and parents. The COVID-19 pandemic is still something that we are grappling with to this very day, and it appears that we could be for quite some time. With the new school year beginning for many around the country, I have heard from special education teachers that trying to get their students used to being in a classroom full-time again has been challenging. That is why maintaining a routine for students as they transition back to school is incredibly important.

As a former special education teacher, I know that consistency is the key when working with students that have varying needs. They require additional support and services and having those built into a routine provides structure and reassurance for students with varying needs. By following a routine in the classroom with your students, they become aware of what they need to do and when they need to do it. Creating a supportive yet structured learning environment for students with varying needs helps set their expectations and allows them to anticipate when various activities will take place.  Adhering to a routine can also help you to manage the behaviors of students with varying needs. By fostering an atmosphere where students are provided with predictability and structure, any disruptive behaviors they might have are likely to be less.  We believe that repetition, consistent messaging, and offering a proactive approach are key to their success.

While school districts spend significant resources on helping students with varying needs, sometimes teaching them about critical life and social skills is not a priority. That is why I am so passionate about our Healthy Relationships Curriculum. It is a program specifically designed for special education teachers, schools, and other organizations that work with students who may be on the autism spectrum, have a developmental and intellectual disability, or have an emotional challenge. Our program encourages students to pursue and maintain healthy relationships and to know what appropriate boundaries are and how to establish them.  With over 140 videos, lesson plans, and online tools, you will be equipped with an abundance of resources at your fingertips to teach your students. Our lesson plans and videos focus on topics like consent, consequences to breaking social expectations and norms, dating, relationships, personal hygiene, how to navigate bullying, and what is appropriate behavior on social media.

Additionally, our program can be taught in a variety of learning modalities including in-person, remote, or hybrid settings, and I know this is incredibly important right now given schools are still faced with pandemic-related issues.  To learn more and to schedule a free, virtual presentation with us just complete this online form and a member of our team will be in touch with you. I hope that you and your students have a successful school year!

 

All my best,

Jen Falkowski, M.Ed

This past week I traveled to Albany to attend the New York Council of Administrators of Special Education (NYCASE) conference. More than a hundred special education administrators from all over the state attended.

I was thrilled to travel to the conference for two main reasons. First, as all of us know, the last fourteen months have been incredibly difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For many of us, working from our living room or dining room became the new normal. Our daily routines changed, we had to limit our in-person interactions, and things like vacations and birthday parties were put on hold. All of this was of course done in an effort to protect one another and combat the COVID-19 virus. However, now that there is light at the end of the tunnel and our country has rounded a corner, traveling to Albany was a particularly enjoyable experience. It was nice to just be with people again and in an environment where everyone was excited about the future.  And second, this conference was specifically designed for administrators of special educators. These are individuals who have extensive experience working as special education teachers or in the special education space. They frequently work as the special education director for a school district and ensure that teachers and students receive the resources and tools they need.

Towards that end, I was particularly excited to meet the special education administrators who attended this conference and tell them about our Healthy Relationships Curriculum. This curriculum is a highly adaptable program that teaches critical life and social skills that many special education students do not receive in a traditional classroom setting.

During my conversations with many of the special education administrators I met, I repeatedly heard from them that yes, while the last year was difficult for their students and teachers, the need to pivot and have educational curriculums that could be taught in adaptable and flexible environments was never so great.

That is why I am so passionate about our program. It is able to be taught in a variety of educational modalities including in-person, virtual, and hybrid models. Throughout the pandemic, I was witness to the countless schools, special education teachers, and students our program was able to help. Many special education teachers told us that if it wasn’t for our program helping them to teach critical life and social skills to their students—like how to wear a face mask and wash one’s hands—they don’t know how they would have been able to support their students.

When a school or special education teacher purchases our Healthy Relationships Curriculum, here is what they receive:

• myHRC Online Portal
• Unlimited Student & Family Access Points
• Visual Cue Cards & Visual Checklist
• Outcome Tools
• Over 120 Videos (Available in English and Spanish)
• 39 ready-to-use Lesson Plans
• Parent Guide for Success & Home Supplements:
• Role Plays, Demonstrations, and Life-Skills Activities
• Interactive “Check for Understanding
• Comprehensive Professional Development
• Ongoing Consultation with our team of experts

If you are a special education teacher or administrator, look at our website to learn how your students can benefit from the program.

And don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you are interested in learning more or would like to invite us to attend your conference.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

 

Rob Anderson

Educators, teachers, and students have experienced a tumultuous year. We’ll probably be uncovering the emotional and psychological impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on all of us for years to come. With many schools reopening or in the midst of reopening, it’s important for educators and teachers to be equipped with comprehensive activities that will support their students’ development.

Students that have varying needs face unique challenges in an academic setting and often miss out on critical social skills and life skills—this impacts their ability to function effectively in school and in society once they graduate. Without a solid foundation, they can face lifelong struggles when it comes to forming meaningful social relationships. One way to prevent that from happening is to ensure that are taught with a curriculum that will build and enhance their social skills.

We know that the pandemic and need to practice social distancing over the last year has likely exacerbated your students’ difficulties in developing their social skills. Additionally, as a former special education teacher, I know firsthand the type of roadblocks that educators face in trying to obtain an interactive curriculum that provides comprehensive activities and lessons which focus on topics like sexuality, appropriate boundaries, and personal hygiene.  That is why I am confident you will love the Healthy Relationship Curriculum and believe it in as much as I do. I’ve seen what a difference it makes in the lives of students all across the nation.

When you purchase the Healthy Relationships Curriculum, you will get over 100 educational videos, role-playing scenarios, and demonstrations, 39 ready-to-use lessons, outcome measurement tools, and an online portal that connects you directly to me and our team to answer questions that might arise. Take a look at one of the videos here. This particular video teaches students what type of behavior and social interactions are appropriate and not appropriate in the bathroom. Students with varying needs are often missing out and do either need additional support or have never been taught these kinds of lessons. That is why it’s important for them to have both visual and written lessons, and for an educator to present these types of lessons in a manner that will keep them engaged.

Our curriculum is centered around teaching your students critical life and social skills that will help them while they are in school and later in life. Thousands of educators and schools have used our program over the years, and that’s why we are confident your students will succeed with it. Should you have any questions about the Healthy Relationship Curriculum, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

All my best,

Jen Falkowski, M.Ed.

Jennifer.Falkowski@wfspa.org

There has been a concerted effort in many states to provide teaches with the COVID-19 vaccine, and a result, some schools are headed back to full-time, in-person learning. Many students and teachers are looking forward to returning to school, but with that return, there will be a variety of issues for educators to navigate.

We all know that there are millions of students across the country who have been learning virtually from home since last year. As a former special education teacher, I know how difficult it can be to teach students in a traditional classroom setting. Teaching virtually on a long-term basis was something most of us could never imagine!

Learning from home has most likely disrupted your students’ daily routines. From forgetting to log-on for class to tuning in wearing pajamas – I’ve heard the comical stories that virtual learning has brought, along with the challenging ones.

Because the Healthy Relationships Curriculum can be taught in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid-format, our program is not confined by your school’s modality. When you purchase our program, you receive over 100 educational videos, role-playing and demonstrations, 39 ready-to-use lessons, outcome measurement tools, and an online portal that connects you directly to our team to answer questions that might arise. Most importantly, the student activities we’ve designed will keep your students engaged and motivated.

I know you have probably been extremely busy adjusting your master lesson plans and breaking them up into smaller segments. Our program can help you with that because our lesson plans, while exhaustive, are not overwhelming. They are broken down step-by-step, so it is easier for you to understand and implement.

By now, your students are used to learning virtually and watching everything on-screen. That is why our video lesson plans will help to streamline your students’ transition back into the classroom. They are used to learning everything on-screen, so watching our videos in a traditional classroom setting will feel very normal to them.

While our program is specifically designed to support students with varying needs, any student can benefit from our program.  Our lesson plans are focused on topics they are interested in, like cyberbullying and sexuality. We strive to address issues that are relevant to their academic and personal lives. Given everything that has transpired over the last year, it’s crucial that your students are in a position to develop critical life and social skills.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you, should you have questions about the program.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, and here’s to hope that spring is bringing us!

All my best,

Jen Falkowski, M.Ed.

Jennifer.Falkowski@wfspa.org