Special Education Defined…
Specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, to include…SPECIALLY DESIGNED INSTRUCTION, means, “adapting as appropriate to the needs of an eligible child the CONTENT, METHODOLOGY, or DELIVERY of instruction (US Department of Education).
Our Professional Development emphasizes “specially designed instruction (SDI), which is the heart of Special education. ArE you ready for a new professional development experience?
At IDEA Reimagined we are committed
to excellence in special education. We have created one-of-a-kind professional learning experiences based on extensive research in designing and delivering specially designed instruction. You can meet your students’ diverse learning needs with ease using our methodology which is not only your job as special educators but it is what your students are entitled to according to The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Our Professional Development Approach is perfect for you if…
You are merely “assisting” in the general education classroom setting and you are ready to gain the knowledge and competencies to confidently make an equal contribution to the co-teaching and/or inclusion learning environment.
You are a new teacher or have no training in specially designed instruction (SDI), interventions and inclusion practices that are essential to your job. Our framework will help you become the educator you always knew you could be.
You are operating without a framework and just “winging it.” You find yourself overwhelmed because you lack direction and consistency when attempting to meet the needs of your students, while attending to other duties as a special education teacher..
Practice-Based Professional Development
We use the practice based model to deliver professional development to our participants. At IDEA ReimaginED, we learn by doing!
Our Approach…
One-on-One or group Coaching, Virtual and Face to Face
Modeling, Coaching, Feedback, & Reflection
…And we
Question: What do you do and why do you do it?
About Valentina White-Rideaux, Ed. S
The SLAY Framework Creator, Trainer, Professional Developer, Inclusion Facilitator, Professor, author and special education researcher.
Answer: To answer this question it is probably best that I share my defining moment that brought me to where I am today; coaching special education teachers, promoting inclusion practices and delivering professional development to educators like you on how to implement evidence-based practices to improve teaching and learning for diverse learners.
In August 2013, I stepped into my role as an academic intern in an inclusion classroom during my Master of Arts in Teaching program and was immediately confronted with uncertainty. Without a clear understanding of my responsibilities, I was too intimidated to ask questions, feeling an overwhelming pressure to appear competent. I vividly recall feeling incompetent, insecure, and overwhelmed as I embarked on my career as a special education teacher. Drawing on my own experiences as a student who faced struggles, I managed to navigate my first year with some success. However, I was acutely aware that my students deserved more.
Determined to bridge this gap, I returned to school to dive deeper into educational research, eventually earning an Education Specialist degree. I immersed myself in learning about Specially Designed Instruction, strategies for inclusive instruction, effective co-teaching methods, classroom and behavior management and learning strategies. Over the years of conducting special education research and collaborating closely with my co-teaching partners, we innovated instructional methods to support all students. This journey of exploration and application laid the groundwork for what I now call the SLAY framework—a system born from the very real need to make sense of the chaos I once felt.
My passion for special education grew as I gained mastery over the techniques needed to adapt and tailor instruction for diverse learning needs. Now, I confidently enter any general education classroom, ready to assertively manage my responsibilities in the inclusion partnership, ensuring that all students receive the tailored education they require.
I transformed my initial challenges into a platform for success—not just for myself, but for others navigating similar paths. I conquered the hurdles that once seemed insurmountable. I SlayED special education with determination and passion, and I'm here to show you that you can do the same. Join me in mastering the art and science of special education, and together, let's SLAY the challenges ahead.
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Guide for new special education teachers
Many special education teachers begin their careers with little practical information. This guide provides a strong foundation from which to build you special education practice.
