As an educator, I know I don’t have to convince you that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted special education students. These students require specialized resources when it comes to their academics, social skills, and various activities that they participate in. Students with varying needs may have a cognitive challenge, a learning disability, be on the autism spectrum, or perhaps they just require extra support. I know when I was working as a special education teacher having my students adhere to a routine was at the foundation of their success. Yet, the pandemic has disrupted everyone’s routine, especially special education students.
In addition to the disruption to routines, special education students frequently miss out on critical social and life skills, which impacts their ability to engage with others. That was already an issue for them, but the pandemic has exacerbated the issues they are now facing. Without a solid foundation, students with varying needs can face lifelong and unnecessary struggles when it comes to developing meaningful relationships.
Many school districts have adjusted their class schedule in an effort to keep both their students and faculty safe from the coronavirus. While we all understand why schools have taken this approach, the disruption of students’ routines cannot and should not be minimized. It is a difficult time for schools across the nation, as teachers now have to find innovative and unique ways to not only educate their students but keep their students engaged in what they are learning. Regardless of whether your school has implemented in-person instruction, online, or a hybrid format, it is essential that educators have the sufficient tools and resources they need.
As many of you know, it can be difficult to achieve requirements under IDEA and to fulfill IEP transition goals without face-to-face instruction. That’s why our Healthy Relationships Curriculum is made specifically for special education teachers and educators who work with students that have varying 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, you have our support and can contact us with questions or concerns at any time. When you purchase our program, you will receive over 100 educational videos, 39 ready-to-use lessons, outcome measurement tools, and an online portal that connects you with us. Our online portal is also designed for you to connect directly with your students and their family—now more than ever, this type of interaction is a necessity.
I believe that this pandemic has illuminated the issues for special education students that were already existent across many school districts and states for years. Yet, by illuminating the issues, it has given everyone an opportunity to discover and find resolutions. I believe that the Healthy Relationship Curriculum could be the very program you have been searching for to help your students.
If you have questions about our program, feel free to email me. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you and hear about your experiences.
All my best,
Jen Falkowski, M.Ed.