The Special Educator’s Reflective Calendar and Planning Journal

Mary Zabolio McGrath taught in the Bloomington, MN, public schools for 31 years, working as a classroom teacher, a demonstration teacher with the Project Read program, and as a special education teacher in the areas of learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and developmental delay. She has served as national secretary for the Council for Behavior Disorders and on the board of the Minnesota Council for Exceptional Children. McGrath has written articles for educators, parents, caregivers, and the general public. In addition, she has authored/coauthored books on educational subjects. Currently McGrath works as a professional speaker, working with schools, parents, and organizations to reflect on and improve the quality of career relationships and life transitions. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and Toastmasters International. McGrath has a doctorate from the University of Minnesota in educational administration, with collateral work in organizational communication. She earned a master′s degree in educational psychology. Beverley Holden Johns brings her 35 years of experience working with students with learning disabilities (LD) and/or behavioral disorders (EBD) within the public schools to her current post as learning and behavior consultant and an adjunct instructor for MacMurray College, where she teaches the course on special education law, adaptations for the general education classroom, and EBD.Johns is the lead author of ten books (and co-author of another) including Reduction of School Violence: Alternatives to Suspension, Techniques for Managing Verbally and Physically Aggressive Students, Surviving Internal Politics Within the School, Safe Schools, Teacher’s Reflective Calendar and Planning Journal, Effective Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, Students with Disabilities and General Education: A Desktop Reference for School Personnel, Getting Behavioral Interventions Right, Preparing Test-Resistant Students for Assessments: A Staff Training Guide, The Ethical Educator, and Motivating the Unmotivated Student. She has written a workbook to accompany a video for paraprofessionals entitled The Paraprofessional’s Guide to Managing Student Behavior and over 40 articles. She is co-author with Janet Lerner of the seminal college LD textbook, the 11th edition of Learning Disabilities and Related Mild Disabilities, and they are currently working on a college textbook on Students with Special Needs in General Education: Practical Adaptations and Teaching Strategies. She is the 2000 recipient of the CEC Outstanding Leadership Award from the International Council for Exceptional Children, Past International President (and current board member) of the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders, and the 2007 Recipient of the Romaine P. Mackie Leadership Service Award. Johns is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in American Education and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the Authors1. August: Looking Ahead to a New School Year2. September: Building Team Rapport With Staff Through Consultation and Collaboration3. October: Working Effectively With Parents4. November: Writing and Applying Effective and Meaningful IEPs5. December: Keeping Focused and Organized6. January: Utilizing the Principles of Specialized Instruction7. February: Maintaining Your Ideals Through Reflection and Action8. March: Finding the Support and Strength You Need to Do Your Job9. April: Working With Administrators and the Greater Community10. May: Managing the Stress of Closing Out the School Year11. June: Looking at the Big Picture: Viewing Your Career Long-Term12. July: Finding Summer Renewal

"I am in awe of the innovative, relevant, and incredible motivational ideas! This tool takes many of the most difficult and challenging areas of special education and provides strategies, guides, and daily reflections that educators need to continue or reignite the passion that called them to serve as special educators."