Olathe public schools

10 years as school psychologist

5 years as coordinator for special services

works with ages 3 to 21

assessment is an estimation

• quality of ___, nature of ___, ability

snapshot of a student on that day, in that particular state

there are no valid assessments, only valid interpretations

• Dylan Wiliams

MTSS

day-to-day formative assessments

cognitive assessments for specific testing

partnering with other service providers (OT, PT, speech pathologist, etc.)

have to have a process that all team members are on the same page with

consistency

student was 4-5 years behind grade level and had been through the foster care system

• through assessment, found out that the student had a communication deficit, but was average to above average in other areas

• with help, student was able to catch up

respect your impact

assessment does have its place, but all roads lead back to intervention

always enjoyed working with kids

had experienced help from school psychologists

instant impact

invest in humanity

23 years

taught 5th, 8th, 9th, AVID

experience as assistant principal

can the student apply the knowledge?

assessments aren't final, it's a process

broke a standard into five essential questions

kids could demonstrate their understanding in their own way

work on taking on more responsibility slowly

smallest thing I can do to make the biggest impact

work towards the same goal, but don't worry too much about how you get there

build relationships

father was teacher

influential role models

impact on students

rubric for educators

• has six standards

have set procedures and routines from day 1

use rubrics and make clear ones

use formative assessments as a replacement for homework

avoid grading formative assessments

giving rubrics ahead of time

conferencing with students to build relationships

always wanted to be a teacher

secondary grades were more appealing

making connections

give opportunities for kids to show strengths

teaching since 2007

undergrad in special education, master's in autism, admin license

pure observation

focused tests for IEPs

special skill checklists

depends on subject and behaviors

knowing your resources

veteran teachers

building relationship with student

overcoming judgements from the classroom

understanding how to work with kids skills

high IQ, but was unknown in classroom

be careful who you surround yourself with

find positivity

importance of shutting out the chatter

self-care

balance your life

it's okay to not be constantly absorbing information

started off in nursing

loves working with small groups

build really strong relationships with students and families

relationships with students

making important changes in their lives

2020 National Teacher of the Year

Special Education Teacher

Teaching for 12 years

gives teachers an accurate picture of where kids are academically and emotionally

myIGDIs

DIAL 4

APES

making efficient systems

routines within routines

work with a team

a lot of people didn't think this student had the skills to move to Gen Ed

with assessment, they really got to know the student and understand their full potential

lean on support and use the community

connections

always has been working with kids

college experience class in high school

joy and fulfillment

making a difference