If you've ever walked into your high school special education classroom with a cup of sweet tea in one hand and a chocolate cake donut in the other, wondering what the day is about to bring, you know that life. We've all been there.
Teaching high school students with significant disabilities is different from teaching younger students. Your students are growing into young adults, but many still need the same structure, repetition, and visual supports that have helped them succeed for years. The difference is that they also want independence. They want to make choices, be treated with respect, and feel successful.
Some days you'll celebrate huge victories. Other days you'll celebrate that everyone made it through a lesson without someone hiding under a table or arguing about whose turn it is to wipe down the desks. Both are wins.
One thing I've learned over the years is that consistency matters more than perfection. Your students don't need Pinterest-worthy classrooms. They need predictable routines, clear expectations, and a teacher who believes they can keep growing.
Don't be afraid to laugh with your students. Some of the funniest moments happen when no one planned them. Those moments build relationships, and relationships are often where learning begins.
And please remember to take care of yourself too. Stop for that Dunkin' run when you need it. Drink the sweet tea. Eat the donut if today called for it. Tomorrow is another opportunity to make a difference.
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Check out the Savvy School Printables - Middle & High Special Ed TpT store.
Teaching high school students is challenging, rewarding, exhausting, and absolutely worth it. You're helping prepare young adults for life after school, one small success at a time.