Explaining Neurodiversity to Staff, Students, and Families - Without the Jargon

Making Sense of What It Means, Why It Matters, and How to Celebrate It In education, we throw around a lot of terms—IEP, accommodations,...

Sammantha Gilbert

Jun 302 min read

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Teaching with Chalk & Change

Explaining Neurodiversity to Staff, Students, and Families - Without the Jargon

Making Sense of What It Means, Why It Matters, and How to Celebrate It In education, we throw around a lot of terms—IEP, accommodations,...

Jun 302 min read

7 Things I Wish I Knew in My First Year of SPED

Lessons, Laughs, and a Lot of Lamination If you’re in your first year of special education, let me start with this: You’re doing better...

Jun 133 min read

From Chaos to Calm: Creating a Regulation Space that Works

Working with special education preschool, my students often express some big feelings and have trouble regulating them. It can be a daily...

May 93 min read

Engaging Activities to Help Students Learn and Remember Their Names

One thing I’ve learned as a second-year special education teacher? Names are a BIG deal! Our students light up when they see their name,...

Apr 301 min read

Top Educational Books to Enhance Your Teaching Skills

Are you a new teacher looking to enhance your classroom skills and techniques? One of the best ways to expand your knowledge and grow as...

Apr 292 min read

Essential Resources for New Teachers to Succeed

As a new teacher, stepping into the world of education can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. You have the passion and drive to make...

Apr 292 min read

Innovative Lesson Plan Ideas for New Teachers

Are you a new teacher looking for innovative lesson plan ideas to engage your students and make learning fun and interactive? Look no...

Apr 292 min read

I’m a second-year preschool special education teacher with a heart for early learning, inclusion, and celebrating the small wins that lead to big growth.

Chalk & Change is a space where I share real moments from the classroom, practical tips, and honest reflections on teacher life. My goal? To support and encourage fellow educators who are in the thick of it — doing the hard, meaningful work of making a difference, one student at a time.

I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s grow together!

FOLLOW ME

What is one thing that stood out for you this year?!

#elevateyourclassroom2025 #teachingwithchalkandchange #teachersofinstagram #specialeducation #preklearning #prekteachers #chalkandchange #educationispower #educationblogger

About 3 weeks ago I hit publish on my blog! Is it complete? Absolutely not! Is it perfect? Haha nope 😅 do I care? No! We are all a work in progress and sometimes we just need to #doitscared and that’s exactly what I did! I am constantly editing pages, heck I even left a whole block of text in there incomplete, but right now, I’m trying. I’m sharing. I’m doing! Now it’s your turn! Do it scared! #teachingwithchalkandchange #specialeducation #teachersofinstagram #preklearning #prekactivities #teachersfollowteachers #prekteachers #educationblogger #educationispower #educationforall

👩‍🏫✨ New to special education? I see you—and I was you. My first year was full of lessons that no textbook covered. From managing behaviors to managing yourself, here's what I wish I’d known when I started.

💻 Read the full post: teachingwithchalkandchange.com
📌 Save this for your future self or share it with a new teacher you love!

#SpecialEducationTeacher #SPEDTeacherTips #FirstYearTeacher #TeacherLife #ChalkAndChange #SPEDsupport #TeacherBlog #NeurodiverseClassroom #InclusionMatters

Have you been looking for an interactive (and pre-scaffolded) way for your students to learn their name? Check out the blog to learn more about how I help my students do just that!

✨ Chaos to Calm: Creating a Regulation Space that WORKS ✨

Discover how to create a regulation space that actually works—for you and your students! Whether you’re tackling meltdowns, transitions, or just need a quiet corner that brings peace to your classroom, this post is packed with practical ideas and calming inspiration. 🌿✨
👉🏻check out the blog to learn more!

#SpecialEducation #RegulationStation #CalmCornerIdeas #ClassroomDesign #SensorySpace #chalkandchange #teachingwithchalkandchange

Hi there! I’m Samm, a special education teacher with a passion for making learning an inclusive and empowering experience for every student. 💚

As I journey through the world of special education, I’m here to share the ups and downs, the lessons learned, and the heartwarming moments that come with it. ✏️ From classroom tips and resources to stories of growth and change, this space is dedicated to fellow educators, parents, and anyone who believes in the power of education to transform lives.

Expect:
🔹 Classroom tips & strategies for special ed
🔹 Real-life stories & moments of change
🔹 Resources to support inclusive learning
🔹 A lot of heart and inspiration 💕

Let’s create a community where we can support, learn, and grow together! 🌱

I’m so excited to have you along on this journey. 💚 #teachingwithchalkandchange #specialeducation #chalkandchange #inclusivelearning #specialeducationteacher #specialeducationclassroom #specialeducationresources

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MY PICK
OF THE MONTH

The Time Timer is a visual countdown tool that helps students understand time passing. Its disappearing red disk makes transitions and tasks more manageable, especially for young or neurodivergent learners. Quiet and easy to use, it supports independence, focus, and smoother routines in any classroom or regulation space.

T E A C H I N G W I T H H E A R T, A D A P T I N G W I T H P U R P O S E

Chalk & Change

Explaining Neurodiversity to Staff, Students, and Families - Without the Jargon

FEATURED POST

Never Miss a New Post.

Teaching with Chalk & Change

Explaining Neurodiversity to Staff, Students, and Families - Without the Jargon

7 Things I Wish I Knew in My First Year of SPED

From Chaos to Calm: Creating a Regulation Space that Works

Engaging Activities to Help Students Learn and Remember Their Names

Top Educational Books to Enhance Your Teaching Skills

Essential Resources for New Teachers to Succeed

Innovative Lesson Plan Ideas for New Teachers

ABOUT ME

FOLLOW ME

SUBSCRIBE

MY PICK
OF THE MONTH

Drop Me a Line, Let Me Know What You Think

Explaining Neurodiversity to Staff, Students, and Families - Without the Jargon

FEATURED POST

Never Miss a New Post.

Teaching with Chalk & Change

Explaining Neurodiversity to Staff, Students, and Families - Without the Jargon

7 Things I Wish I Knew in My First Year of SPED

From Chaos to Calm: Creating a Regulation Space that Works

Engaging Activities to Help Students Learn and Remember Their Names

Top Educational Books to Enhance Your Teaching Skills

Essential Resources for New Teachers to Succeed

Innovative Lesson Plan Ideas for New Teachers

ABOUT ME

FOLLOW ME

​

SUBSCRIBE

MY PICK OF THE MONTH

Drop Me a Line, Let Me Know What You Think

MY PICK
OF THE MONTH