James W. Forgan – författare

How do you avoid the high cost of turnover and retain high-quality special education teachers in such a demanding field? Surveys show that 98% of school districts are reporting shortages of special education teachers, and that nearly a quarter of a million new special education teachers will be needed over the next few years. Special education teachers are leaving the field at twice the rate of general education teachers. Why? Special education teachers can quickly become overwhelmed by the myriad of responsibilities in their jobs-managing IEPs, alternative assessments, paraprofessionals, assistive technologies, complex legislation and paperwork, and the physical and emotional toll of such individualized instruction. Mentoring New Special Education Teachers will help administrators and other educators develop and sustain effective mentoring programs specifically designed for special education teachers, providing practical, field-tested activities and resources for both the mentors and the mentees, including such critical elements as: Effectively identifying, recruiting, and selecting mentors Action planning Evaluating progress Addressing diminishing support Dealing with burnout and isolation Vignettes of real-life mentoring experiences Figures, tables, appendices, Web sites A ready-to-use two-day workshop for training mentors Real-life vignettes and "What If" questions weave throughout the book, and trouble-shooting appendices direct you to additional Web sites and resources for further help. Mentoring New Special Education Teachers provides everything you need to effectively support and mentor your special education teachers, increase their job satisfaction, and keep your retention rates high!

How do you avoid the high cost of turnover and retain high-quality special education teachers in such a demanding field? Surveys show that 98% of school districts are reporting shortages of special education teachers, and that nearly a quarter of a million new special education teachers will be needed over the next few years. Special education teachers are leaving the field at twice the rate of general education teachers. Why? Special education teachers can quickly become overwhelmed by the myriad of responsibilities in their jobs-managing IEPs, alternative assessments, paraprofessionals, assistive technologies, complex legislation and paperwork, and the physical and emotional toll of such individualized instruction. Mentoring New Special Education Teachers will help administrators and other educators develop and sustain effective mentoring programs specifically designed for special education teachers, providing practical, field-tested activities and resources for both the mentors and the mentees, including such critical elements as: Effectively identifying, recruiting, and selecting mentors Action planning Evaluating progress Addressing diminishing support Dealing with burnout and isolation Vignettes of real-life mentoring experiences Figures, tables, appendices, Web sites A ready-to-use two-day workshop for training mentors Real-life vignettes and "What If" questions weave throughout the book, and trouble-shooting appendices direct you to additional Web sites and resources for further help. Mentoring New Special Education Teachers provides everything you need to effectively support and mentor your special education teachers, increase their job satisfaction, and keep your retention rates high!

Parent’s Quick Start Guide to Autism provides parents and caregivers with an immediate overview of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and steps they can take to support and encourage their child.Each chapter is packed with detailed and helpful information, covering what to do at home and at school, how to avoid common mistakes, and how (and when) to seek professional help. Summary and resource sections at the end of each chapter give quick guidance to busy readers. Topics include occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis (ABA), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interventions, and more.Offering straightforward, easy to understand, and evidence-based information, this book is a go-to resource for caregivers parenting a child with autism.

Parent’s Quick Start Guide to Dyslexia provides parents and caregivers with an immediate overview of dyslexia and steps they can take to support and encourage their child.Each chapter is packed with detailed and helpful information, covering identification, public schools versus private settings, and how (and when) to seek professional help. Summary and resource sections at the end of each chapter give quick guidance to busy readers. Topics include a wealth of research-backed activities, nurturing talent and creativity, motivating your child to read, and more.Offering straightforward, easy to understand, and evidence-based information, this book is a go-to resource for caregivers parenting a child with dyslexia.

Parent’s Quick Start Guide to Dysgraphia provides parents and caregivers with an immediate overview of dysgraphia and steps they can take to support and encourage their child. Each chapter is packed with detailed and helpful information, covering identification, strategies for improvement, advocating for your child, and maintaining your child’s self-esteem. Summary and resource sections at the end of each chapter give quick guidance to busy readers. Topics include a wealth of research-backed activities, strategies for improving penmanship, making writing fun, technological assistance, and more. Offering straightforward, easy to understand, and evidence-based information, this book is a go-to resource for caregivers parenting a child with dysgraphia.

Written by experts who understand the science of dyscalculia as well as the pragmatic realities families face, Parent’s Quick Start Guide to Dyscalculia provides parents and caregivers with the information they need and steps they can take to support and encourage their child.This practical resource transforms complex terminology into accessible guidance. You’ll find clear explanations that demystify dyscalculia, alongside expert insights on assessment procedures and what they reveal. Discover research-backed strategies to ease math anxiety, boost confidence, and make numbers less intimidating while learning to effectively advocate within school systems, develop tailored educational plans, and build productive partnerships with teachers and specialists.From classroom accommodations to at-home learning techniques, this comprehensive guide equips you with everything needed to support your child’s mathematical journey.

Parent’s Quick Start Guide to Special Education provides parents and caregivers with an immediate overview of special education services, accommodations, and laws, along with steps they can take to support and encourage their child.Making complex information simple, this book provides clear, evidence-based guidance to help you understand how to navigate special education services and make informed decisions on behalf of your child. Each chapter is packed with detailed and helpful information, covering how to navigate Special Education Services, advocating for your child, Important laws, Special Education in post-secondary settings, explanations of educational jargon and processes, and more.Offering straightforward, easy to understand, and research-based information, this book is a must have resource for caregivers parenting a child in a Special Education program.

General and special education teachers will find 40 ready-to-use lesson plans that focus on children's literature characters faced with problem-solving situations, empowering students to independently solve problems in their own lives. Students are also taught a problem-solving strategy that can be applied to any situation.

Impulsive, scattered, lost, unfocused, unprepared, disorganized: These are just a few of the words used to describe kids with executive functioning deficits, which commonly affect many children already diagnosed with ADHD, learning disabilities, and autism. The Impulsive, Disorganized Child: Solutions for Parenting Kids with Executive Functioning Difficulties helps parents pinpoint weak executive functions in their children, then learn how to help their kids overcome these deficits with practical, easy solutions. Children who can't select, plan, initiate, or sustain action toward their goals are children who simply struggle to succeed in school and other aspects of life. Parents need the helpful, proven advice and interactive surveys and action plans in this book to empower them to take positive action to teach their disorganized, impulsive child to achieve independence, success, and a level of self-support.

Stressed Out!: Solutions to Help Your Child Manage and Overcome Stress is an easy-to-read guide for parents to help their children understand stress, its effects on kids' day-to-day lives, and how to handle it. The book suggests stress management solutions that can be implemented by even the busiest parents and kids, focusing on a variety of common stressful situations that are grouped according to three categories—school, family, or environmental. Strategies include sample dialogues parents can use in conversation with their child and activities to help children gain insight and understanding into the nature of their stress, such as worksheets, role-play scenarios, or children's stories. Designed for maximum accessibility, parents and their children can immediately apply and reinforce the solutions. Inherent in each chapter is the underlying understanding that stress in children is very individual and solutions need to be individualized to fit the circumstances and personality of each child. 2018 NAGC Book of the Year Award Winner