Embracing Disabilities in the Classroom

Toby J. Karten is an experienced educator who has been immersed in the field of special education for her entire career. As an accomplished author and researcher, she has presented successful staff development to local, national, and international audiences. Toby is affiliated with Drew and Monmouth University and is an adjunct professor and graduate instructor at the Regional Training Center, which is affiliated with Gratz College and The College of New Jersey. Being involved in the field of special education for the past three decades has afforded Ms. Karten an opportunity to help many children and adults from elementary through graduate levels around the world. She has been a resource teacher, staff developer, adult educator, and inclusion coach and consultant in New York and New Jersey schools and in many districts nationally and globally. In addition to her roles as an inclusion coach, student and family advocate, professional developer, mentor and resource teacher, Toby designed graduate courses titled From Challenge to Success; LD, ADHD, and the Spectrum and Skills and Strategies for Inclusion and disABILITY Awareness.  She has trained instructors in three states to teach her courses. In addition, she has designed online courses for NaMaYa titled Collaborative Practices for Inclusive Classrooms and Interventions for Students with Dyslexia and Other Reading Differences. She has been recognized by both the Council for Exceptional Children and the New Jersey Department of Education as an exemplary educator, receiving two Teacher of the Year awards. She earned an undergraduate degree in special education from Brooklyn College, a master of science in special education from the College of Staten Island, a supervisory degree from Georgian Court University, and an honorary doctorate from Gratz College. Toby has authored several books and resources about inclusion practices and the CCSS, which are currently used for instruction on many college and university campuses and schools throughout the world.Ms. Karten is married, has a son, and a few dogs. She enjoys teaching, reading, writing, artwork, and most of all, learning.  Toby believes that inclusion does not begin and end in the classroom, but is a philosophy that continues throughout life. Hence, inclusion is not only research-based, but life-based as well!

"The practical aspects of the book provide a wealth of ideas about how educators can make modifications and accommodations for individuals in their classrooms while fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere."

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorPart I. Introducing Disabilities1. Historical Background of DisabilitiesChapter HighlightsClassroom ConnectionsWays to Differentiate AttitudesThen to NowOut and AboutBeyond TerminologyLegislation Says...and the Classroom Does2. How Others Interact and Acknowledge Disabilities and DifferencesChapter HighlightsClassroom ConnectionsWays to Differentiate AttitudesDislabeling ActivitiesPart II. Classroom Implications3. Entering the Inclusion ClassroomChapter HighlightsClassroom ConnectionsWays to Differentiate AttitudesAssessing, Modifying, & Adapting the CurriculumCapitalize on Strengths: What to Minimize & Maximize4. Mastering the CurriculumChapter HighlightsClassroom ConnectionsWays to Differentiate AttitudesPresenting Curriculum5. Content-Related Strategies and LessonsChapter HighlightsClassroom ConnectionsWays to Differentiate AttitudesTheir Strategies, Not Ours!Put Me in Coach!It’s All in the Presentation!Reading Curriculum ConcernsAppropriate Reading & Language Arts Accommodations, Adaptations, and Strategies for LessonsWriting Curriculum Concerns: Write On!Mathematics Curriculum Concerns: Math Matters, Too!Other Curriculum Lessons6. Instructional Differentiation and Sensitivities That Respond to Students’ Behavioral, Social, Emotional, and Perceptual NeedsChapter HighlightsClassroom ConnectionsWays to Differentiate AttitudesPart III. Schools, Families, and the Future7. Increasing Disability Awareness and Better Attitudes for Families and All CommunitiesChapter HighlightsClassroom ConnectionsWays to Differentiate Attitudes8. Future Horizons for DisabilitiesChapter HighlightsClassroom ConnectionsWays to Differentiate AttitudesCommitments to Students’ AchievementsAppendix A: Differentiating and Assessing Attitudes With Ability Awareness RubricsAppendix B: Enabling vs. Challenging Your StudentsAppendix C: Student Data DocumentationAppendix D: Increasing Communications and CollaborationReferencesIndex