In school support services, one of the most common questions families and educators ask is whether a 504 Plan can turn into an IEP or whether an IEP can later become a 504 Plan . The short answer is yes. But the longer answer requires understanding something deeper: both supports exist to meet students where they are right now . As students grow, develop new skills, and encounter new challenges, the level of support they need may change. Educational plans are not meant to be

When we hear the words “I am somebody,” many of us immediately think of Jesse Jackson standing before crowds, leading a call-and-response that felt both spiritual and political. But that declaration was more than a chant. It was identity work. It was psychology. It was social-emotional learning before we ever called it that. As educators, especially those of us serving students in special education, we have to recognize something that doesn’t always make it into the curricul

Why America Still Refuses to Talk Honestly About Race Recent events have reopened wounds many Black Americans never get the chance to fully heal. The circulation of racist imagery that dehumanizes Black people, particularly comparisons to monkeys, is not just offensive; it is dangerous. These depictions are rooted in centuries-old narratives used to justify violence, exclusion, and the denial of humanity. For many, these images are shrugged off as jokes, memes, or political t

I’m just going to say it: The silence was delicious. For two whole days, my world went white, and for the first time in a long time, the soundtrack of my life changed. Usually, my days are a chaotic symphony of school bells, back-to-back Zoom meetings, and navigating the… let’s call it passionate energy of parents who sometimes forget that I’m a person, not a doormat for their frustrations. But this week? The bells were silent. The screen stayed dark. And I finally had the s

Another school year has wrapped, and as I finally catch my breath, I've been reflecting on the lessons learned outside of any curriculum....

The alarm blares, signaling the start of another day. For educators, this isn't just any workday; it's a day filled with shaping young...

As a school psychologist, I often work with students who have unique ways of learning and processing information – a concept we...

As a school psychologist, I've had the privilege of working with countless students, each with unique strengths, challenges, and ways of...

There's a palpable tension in the air these days, a quiet hum of anxiety that vibrates through every faculty lounge and staff meeting....

Today was heavy. Really heavy. I sat across from a parent, a father, whose worry was so thick you could almost touch it. His son is...

The recent news of proposed cuts and changes within the U.S. Department of Education has sent shockwaves through the educational...

Are you drawn to the intersection of education and mental health? Do you have a passion for helping children and adolescents thrive? If...

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the limitations of punitive disciplinary measures in K-12 education....

As we enter 2024, the landscape of K-12 education continues to evolve in response to an ever-changing world. From technological...

It is hard to believe that in March 2021, we are still functioning in a world of remote education. As virtual classrooms become sort of a...

We have we become obsessed with being adults and showing others that we are able to adult that we forgot all the color our childhood...

I remember learning and singing this song during my time as an early childhood student. I can recall us sitting along the edge of the...

In the waking months of the COVID-19 Pandemic, our educational systems were unsure of how to navigate the learning process for not only...