Built for General Ed Teachers
Foundations for all classrooms
15 Hours
Self-paced, practical training
10 Courses
Foundational skills for all teachers
Certificate Included
Up to 15 CE credits
Learn Anywhere
Access courses on any device
The SPED Microcredential provides a focused, step‑by‑step learning experience that helps teachers build clarity, confidence, and competence in special education. By combining foundational knowledge with real‑world classroom strategies, this microcredential empowers educators to move beyond compliance and toward meaningful, student‑centered support.
Discription
What’s the difference between accommodations and modifications? Why does understanding SPED terminology matter for all teachers—not just special educators? This introductory session lays the foundation for meaningful work with students receiving special education services. Join veteran educator Melissa Mann as she demystifies essential SPED vocabulary, acronyms (like IEP, 504, LRE, and FAPE), and key concepts that every classroom teacher needs. Gain an understanding of the laws that govern special education and learn how modern classrooms require every educator to be part of a collaborative support team for diverse learners. Key Takeaways Understand must-know special education terms, acronyms, and legal foundations. Recognize the differences between accommodations, modifications, and interventions. Explain why LRE and FAPE are critical in serving students with exceptionalities. Build a baseline knowledge to support students in inclusive classroom settings.
Key Takeaways
Understand must-know special education terms, acronyms, and legal foundations.
Recognize the differences between accommodations, modifications, and interventions.
Explain why LRE and FAPE are critical in serving students with exceptionalities.
Build a baseline knowledge to support students in inclusive classroom settings.
Description
What laws protect students receiving special education services? How do you know when a child needs an IEP or a 504 Plan? In this practical session, Melissa Mann breaks down the most important Special Education laws — IDEA, ADA, and ESSA — and explains how they shape your everyday work in the classroom. You’ll learn how these laws safeguard students’ right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), ensure access to the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), and provide critical protections for parents and families. Melissa will also walk you through the key differences between IEP and 504 eligibility, offering real-world examples to help you recognize when a student may qualify for additional support. Key Takeaways Understand major federal laws that govern special education eligibility and services.
Key Takeaways
Understand major federal laws that govern special education eligibility and services.
Differentiate between IDEA (IEPs) and ADA/504 Plans and when each applies.
Recognize FAPE, LRE, and child find responsibilities within the school system.
Gain confidence in collaborating with teams during the referral and plan process.
Description
Extended time, fidgets, flexible seating, visual supports—what accommodations truly make a difference for students with special needs? How can teachers balance providing support without lowering expectations? In this engaging webinar, Melissa Mann connects the legal foundations of special education with practical, classroom-friendly accommodations that can transform learning for students with academic, executive functioning, sensory, and behavioral needs. You’ll explore strategies that are simple to implement yet powerful in impact, from text-to-speech technology to flexible seating, timers, and visual organizers. Melissa will also share insights on how to provide scaffolds that promote independence and maintain grade-level rigor—while making daily instruction more manageable for busy teachers.
Key Takeaways
Implement practical tools such as text-to-speech, flexible seating, timers, and graphic organizers.
Promote student independence while keeping instruction rigorous and grade-level appropriate.
Build a proactive toolbox of strategies that support learning and minimize reactive discipline.
Description:
How do you build strong bridges between teachers, parents, and colleagues when supporting diverse learners? What steps can you take to turn potential conflict into collaboration? In this insightful course, Melissa Mann highlights one of the most crucial elements of special education success—relationships. You’ll explore strategies for effective, ongoing communication with parents, learn how to collaborate with co-teachers and specialists, and discover ways to cultivate inclusive, positive classroom environments. Melissa will also share approaches for handling tough conversations, aligning goals across the IEP team, and engaging families as true partners in the learning process. With intentional relationship-building, you’ll reduce misunderstandings, foster trust, and create a stronger support network that sets students up for long-term academic and social success.
Key Takeaways
Understand why strong relationships directly improve outcomes for students with special needs.
Implement parent communication strategies that build trust, transparency, and teamwork.
Strengthen collaboration with general education teachers, paraprofessionals, and specialists.
Foster classroom cultures that support inclusion, belonging, and positive peer relationships.
Description
When a student refuses to write, do you offer a break or highlight just a few problems first? What happens when a fidget, redirection, or even preferential seating no longer work? In this session, Melissa Mann takes a practical, hands-on approach to problem-solving in the SPED classroom. Using authentic case studies, you’ll explore real-world challenges connected to attention, executive functioning, sensory regulation, social skills, and written expression. Together, we’ll walk step by step through common classroom scenarios to uncover the root causes behind student behaviors, align supports to specific needs, and practice selecting accommodations and interventions that actually work. This session is designed to bridge knowledge with application—helping you gain confidence in responding to student needs in the moment. You’ll leave with practical strategies, decision-making tools, and a problem-solving mindset that you can use immediately when challenges arise in your own classroom.
Key Takeaways
Understand how to interpret student behaviors by uncovering underlying causes rather than just surface actions.
Implement practical, real-time solutions that connect directly to academic, sensory, executive function, and behavioral supports.
Promote student growth by prioritizing proactive strategies instead of relying on reactive discipline.
Build confidence applying SPED tools and frameworks to real-world classroom challenges.
“The short training videos are perfect to complete during lunch or planning periods. It’s also great to be able to access videos at home or on weekends. I love the fact that there are courses on important current tech topics that we all need right now!”
“Since adopting SimpleK12, we’ve seen an increase in professional development participation. Teachers are more engaged because the content is practical, flexible, and relevant.”
“SimpleK12 makes professional learning actually work with my schedule. I can log in anytime, choose a topic that’s relevant to my classroom, and walk away with strategies I can use the next day.”
“SimpleK12 offers a broad range of training, a variety of presentation styles, generous resources, and concise, professionally delivered lessons. It’s extremely useful!”
This pathway helps educators strengthen the knowledge and day‑to‑day strategies that make inclusion work: understanding key SPED laws and terminology, implementing classroom accommodations and interventions, and collaborating with families and IEP teams. Learn through video-based instruction, real classroom examples, and reflection that turns uncertainty into confident action.
