Behind the Interview Table: Why Gatekeepers Must Remember the Human Cost
Every time an educator walks into a leadership interview, they’re carrying much more than a résumé. Behind that smile and neatly pressed suit is a human being who has rehearsed questions late into the night, fought through anxiety, taken personal time off, driven hours, and whispered to themselves on the way in, “Maybe this is […]
Case Study: When Executive Functioning Became Empowerment
During my first-year teaching in Charleston County, I met a junior I’ll call Claire (pseudonym). Claire was the kind of student who lit up the room—bright, funny, and driven to succeed. Yet like many students with ADHD, her brilliance often collided with challenges in organization, study skills, and procrastination. Research consistently shows that while students […]
Redefining the Resource Room: Teaching Academic Seminar with Purpose
When I first walked into a Resource Room, I envisioned a space filled with possibility—a place where students with disabilities could thrive academically and personally. What I found instead was chaos. Students shuffled in with missing assignments, disorganized binders, and heavy frustration. What was meant to be a cornerstone of support felt like a catch-all […]
Transforming Academic Seminar: From Study Hall to Launchpad for Student Success
Too often, the Academic Seminar—sometimes called the Resource Room—is misunderstood. In some schools, it becomes a glorified study hall. In others, it’s treated as a catch-up block for missing work. But when used with purpose, this space has the potential to transform the lives of students with disabilities (SWDs). As I share in my book, […]
Stronger Systems, Stronger Students: A Back-to-School Playbook for Special Educators
Introduction: A New Year to Lead With Purpose Back-to-school season offers more than a fresh calendar. It’s a chance to reimagine how we serve students with disabilities (SWDs) through consistent systems, intentional instruction, and strong partnerships. As special educators, the structures we set in motion now can empower our students for a year of progress, […]