# data[].attributes.body
While everyone learns slightly differently, learning occurs when it is relevant, meaningful, and enjoyable, so students connect new information to what they already know (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlaG99awCD8). Furthermore, sleep affects memory, so learning is more efficient when the brain is rested. The brain also takes in information better when it is visual, part of a bigger picture, and interleaved to mix information and skills during practice. Finally, learners take in and organize new information better when they are expected to teach someone else what they learned. (https://lifehacker.com/six-things-you-should-know-about-how-your-brain-learns-1773183447).

# data[].attributes.body
Like Gardner, I believe that there are many kinds of intelligences. Unfortunately, most education systems only measure linguistic and logical/mathematical intelligence and require students to be intelligent in the interpersonal and intrapersonal areas (https://www.simplypsychology.org/multiple-intelligences.html#:~:text=Gardner%20notes%20that%20the%20linguistic,valued%20in%20school%20and%20society). For example, students are expected to identify, understand, and manage their own thoughts and feelings (intrapersonal) as well as know how to work with others and read their emotions (interpersonal) without being explicitly taught how to do so.

# data[].attributes.body
Children are social learners who learn best when navigating and creating social networks through technology (https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1067554.pdf). Technology is an essential tool for success in the 21st century (https://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/cr/p21cskls.asp). However, experiences in nature are equally important by increasing attention, self-discipline, and enjoyment in learning (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00305/full). Learning in nature also provides a calmer, quieter, and safer environment.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Purpose of Education and Special Education

# data[].attributes.subject
The Purpose of Education and Special Education

# data[].attributes.body
Education is a fundamental, human right. It should empower students with the tools and skills to make their lives and the future better. However, "in the drive to ensure standardized accountability, education has not sought to facilitate learning but conformity" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlaG99awCD8). The role of the modern educator is to liberate students from the old standard of conformity because this way of thinking and being is no longer relevant nor an asset. The purpose of special education is to provide equitable access to curriculum in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) through individualized teaching and resources. "Special education is a service, not a place" (https://wapave.org/special-education-is-a-service-not-a-place/#:~:text=Services%20are%20portable%2C%20so%20special,light%20of%20the%20child's%20circumstances. and  https://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/special-education-not-the-resource-room-the-classroom-in-the-trailer-or-the-special-school-across-town/).

# data[].attributes.body
The role of the teacher is to be an advocate and a champion for students with disabilities. Using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LigmnGaryQ) and Backwards Design (https://drive.google.com/file/d/17olnTOl82tcS7tGXs0GeWz0KA4woqhQx/view), teachers take into account the students first, then what they need to know. Furthermore, the teacher's role isn't just to ensure equitable access to curriculum, but to teach skills a student needs to learn such as frustration tolerance, problem solving, and flexibility (https://tedxboston.com/videos/rethinking-challenging-kids-where-theres-a-skill-theres-a-way/).

# data[].attributes.headline
Best Practices: How Learners with Disabilities Learn

# data[].attributes.subject
Best Practices: How Learners with Disabilities Learn

# data[].attributes.body
Students with disabilities require more explicit instruction (https://www.boisestate.edu/undergraduate-research/2020/04/22/82-the-effects-of-an-explicit-instruction-intervention-in-a-special-education-classroom and https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-explicit-instruction). They also benefit from scaffolding, technology, being out doors, working hands-on, and using visuals (but only relevant visual stimuli).

# data[].attributes.body
Students are motivated to learn when they feel they have a say in what and how they learn as well as believing they can learn. This necessitates a relationship with their teacher and a growth mindset. When struggling students have a growth mindset, they are willing to continue to work at their goals (https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/growth-mindset-in-the-classroom). It is also important to look at the ABCs of behavior because behavior is communication (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G_4U_6IB1U).

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
image: “How to Set SMART Goals: A Goal-Setting Process to Achieve Your Dreams.”

# data[].attributes.body
Following the criteria for setting goals is a good framework for evaluating assessments. While diagnostic and summative assessments can be stressful, they must be conducted in order to assess what a student knows because they are the standard progress is measured against. However, standardized tests can be biased (http://ericae.net/edo/ED391982.htm). Furthermore, students with special needs struggle with standardized testing (https://www.wnyc.org/story/state-tests-students-disabilities/). This is why best practices in assessment should be a combination of formative, running record, and portfolio based. These types of assessments more broadly show a student's progress.

# data[].attributes.headline
Best Practices: Culturally Inclusive and Relevant Teaching and Learning

# data[].attributes.subject
Best Practices: Culturally Inclusive and Relevant Teaching and Learning

# data[].attributes.body
Every child deserves to feel like they belong, like they matter.  This means establishing rapport and a relationship with them. This means seeing themselves reflected in their learning environment. This means using person centered language unless they specify otherwise (https://www.simply-home.com/blog-overview/top-10-ways-to-embrace-more-person-centered-language). This means using restorative practices rather than punishment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6eIxxzYLMU&list=PLlTDYvgnM_FOCCsc-q7QjQ8R3JqtfaOGg&index=4). Finally, this means creating a meaningful learning experience (https://www.concordia.ca/cunews/offices/vprgs/gradproskills/blogs/2017/09/07/useful-strategies-to-achieve-a-meaningful-learning-experience.html#:~:text=Encourage%20active%20learning%20and%20equal,you%20are%20and%20being%20disruptive).

# data[].attributes.body
1. I am determined to make a difference one child at a time as their advocate and champion. I am determined to never give up on a child.

2. I am intrigued by diverse perspectives, abilities, and behavior because diversity leads to better problem-solving, and behavior is communication.

3. I am curious for new learning. It is easy to become comfortable in a rut and decide to stay there by not learning new things, but learning new things brings me joy and connects me to people I otherwise would not have known.

4. I am hopeful for all children because they are learning collaboration and 21st century skills with the goal of being liberated to make the world better. I am hopeful because early intervention and support for exceptional children is on the rise.

5. I am optimistic about my role in the educational system because I see the value in the balance between nature and technology. Because I have compassion, I am optimistic that I can and will make a difference.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Most Inspiring Story on How to Make a Difference | The Starfish Story by Lewis Howes | Goalcast

# data[].attributes.body
Albon, Stuart J. “Rethinking Challenging Kids-Where There's a Skill There's a Way.” TEDxBeaconStreet. 3013, https://tedxboston.com/videos/rethinking-challenging-kids-where-theres-a-skill-theres-a-way/

Barnes, Roslyn. “The Benefits of Collaborative Learning.” ACSI Europe Blog. 28 March 2019, https://acsieu.org/wp/collaboration/the-benefits-of-collaborative-learning/

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation. “UDL in 5 Minutes.” YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LigmnGaryQ

Behavior Babe. “Functions of Behavior.” YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G_4U_6IB1U

California Department of Education. “Partnership for 21st Century Skills.” cdc.ca.gov. Last Reviewed: 2 March 2021, https://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/cr/p21cskls.asp

Cone, Jay Gordon. “The Hierarchy of Inclusivity.” unstuckminds.com. 15 March 2020, https://unstuckminds.com/2020/03/15/the-hierarchy-of-inclusivity/

Cooper, Belle Beth. “Six Things You Should Know About How Your Brain Learns.” lifehacker.com. 26 April 2016, https://lifehacker.com/six-things-you-should-know-about-how-your-brain-learns-1773183447

“Education Rita Pierson Quotes.” ShortQuotescc, https://shortquotes.cc/education-rita-pierson-quotes/

Forney ISD. “How We Learn.” YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlaG99awCD8

GradProSkills. “Useful Strategies to Achieve a Meaningful Learning Experience.” Concordiaca. 7 Sept.  2017, https://www.concordia.ca/cunews/offices/vprgs/gradproskills/blogs/2017/09/07/useful-strategies-to-achieve-a-meaningful-learning-experience.html#:~:text=Encourage%20active%20learning%20and%20equal,you%20are%20and%20being%20disruptive

Halaby, Gabby, and Dr, Gena Nelson. “The Effects of Explicit Intervention In A Special Education Classroom.” Department of Early and Special Education: Boisestate.edu. 22 April 2020, https://www.boisestate.edu/undergraduate-research/2020/04/22/82-the-effects-of-an-explicit-instruction-intervention-in-a-special-education-classroom/

Hawranik, Marcie. “What’s the Difference Between Equity and Equality?” Canadian Quality Consulting, 21 Jan 2020, https://canadianequality.ca/equity-or-equality/

“How to Foster a Growth Mindset in the Classroom.” School of Education Online Programs. 10 Dec. 2020, https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/growth-mindset-in-the-classroom

“How to Set SMART Goals: A Goal-Setting Process to Achieve Your Dreams.” ReigningIt.medium.com, 31 Oct 2015, https://reigningit.medium.com/how-to-set-smart-goals-a-goal-setting-process-to-achieve-your-dreams-74015310c3dd

“In the Name of Fairness, Special Needs Students Struggle Through Testing.” School Book. 6 April 2016, https://www.wnyc.org/story/state-tests-students-disabilities/

Kharbach, Med PhD. “Universal Design Learning Visually Explained for Teachers.” Educational Technology and Mobile Learning|educatorstechnology.com. 14 April, 2014, https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/04/universal-design-learning-visually.html

Kivunja, Charles PhD. “Do You Want Your Students to Be Job-Ready with 21st Century Skills? Change Pedagogies: A Pedagogical Paradigm Shift from Vygotskyian Social Constructivism to Critical Thinking, Problem Solv ing and Siemens’ Digital Connectivism.”International Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 3, No. 3; 2014 Published by Sciedu Press 81 ISSN 1927-6044 E-ISSN 1927-6052 https://www.simplypsychology.org/multiple-intelligences.html#:~:text=Gardner%20notes%20that%20the%20linguistic,valued%20in%20school%20and%20society

Kuo, Ming et al. “Do Experiences With Nature Promote Learning? Converging Evidence of a Cause-and-Effect Relationship.” Front. Psychol., 19 February 2019, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00305, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00305/full

Lam, Tony C. M. “Fairness in Performance Assessment.” ERIC Digest. 1995. http://ericae.net/edo/ED391982.htm

Leaving The Village. “Why We Need Restorative Practices in Schools.” YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6eIxxzYLMU&list=PLlTDYvgnM_FOCCsc-q7QjQ8R3JqtfaOGg&index=5

Lynch, Matthew. “Why is the Theory of Multiple Intelligences So Valuable?” The Edvocate. 15 April, 2015, https://www.theedadvocate.org/why-is-the-theory-of-multiple-intelligences-so-valuable/

Marenus, Michele. “Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences.” simplypsychology.org. 9 June 2020, https://www.simplypsychology.org/multiple-intelligences.html#:~:text=Gardner%20notes%20that%20the%20linguistic,valued%20in%20school%20and%20society

“The Most Inspiring Story on How to Make a Difference | The Starfish Story by Lewis Howes.” Goalcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E28ZJqsa4WU

Nevejan, Caroline. “Functional Analysis - Nature and Technology.” Witnessing You, http://www.being-here.net/page/5287/functional-analysis---nature-and-technology

P.A.V.E. “Special Education Is A Service, Not A Place.” wapave.org. https://wapave.org/special-education-is-a-service-not-a-place/#:~:text=Services%20are%20portable%2C%20so%20special,light%20of%20the%20child%27s%20circumstances

“Reframe the Behavior.” Pintrist.com https://www.pinterest.com/pin/90072061278429911/

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/49/0b/3e/490b3ee076c60af13571d48d0dcd5503.png

“Top 10 Ways to Embrace More Person-Centered Language.” Simply Home. 13 April 2017, https://www.simply-home.com/blog-overview/top-10-ways-to-embrace-more-person-centered-language

Wiggans, Grant, and Jay McTighe. “Understanding by Design: Backward Design:

Why ‘Backward’ is Best.” (from: Bowen, R. S.  (2017). Understanding by Design. Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. Retrieved [29 June 2022] from https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/understanding-by-design/.) https://drive.google.com/file/d/17olnTOl82tcS7tGXs0GeWz0KA4woqhQx/view

Wrightslaw. “Special Education: NOT the Resource Room, the Classroom in the Trailer, or the Special School Across Town.” The Wrightslaw Way: Special Education Law and Advocacy, 3 May 2010, https://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/special-education-not-the-resource-room-the-classroom-in-the-trailer-or-the-special-school-across-town/