For 5 years I taught a student (let’s call him Henry) inside a more restrictive classroom setting with modified curriculum and tons of support. He was relatively ‘high functioning’ and most people assumed Henry was a general ed. student until they started talking to him and realized he was a bit slow.
I loved this kid! He was sweet and helpful. When he graduated, I was sad to see him go. About a year after graduation, I ran into Henry at a grocery store. He was just getting off of work as a bagger and stocker.
Henry was so glad to see me… he actually thanked me for being his teacher and getting him ready for his job.
Aww… Teacher moment ❤️ 🍎 😊!
When you start to set up vocational training in special education classes or as part of your occupational prep programming, do one thing.
Think of your students...
Are you getting them ready for the real world?
Well, if you follow these set up tips you’ll be well on your way. Okay, okay… let’s talk about how to set up vocational training in special ed.
Group Students by Their Target Skills
Let’s face it guys… We are all teaching in classes with students who have a multitude of abilities as well as needs. In order to make sure that we are meeting their needs, we have to be very thoughtful about how we group our students.
How you choose to group your students will depend largely on the makeup of your class. I’ve had success in grouping students by target skill. But, even with that in mind, you might find that it works to mix things up a bit. Try grouping the students across skills and see how they are able to support one another as well as if they are able to provide peer coaching
As you start planning on how to set up vocational training in your special education classroom, consider how you group your students. Start by grouping them by their target skills and see how they groove in your classroom. Then be flexible enough to regroup and see how that works.
Hey, good grouping can dictate the success or failure of your vocational training program.
Set Up Vocational Tasks
The next step to set up vocational training in your special education classroom revolves around getting your tasks ready to go. As an instructional coach I have been in hundreds of classrooms that we’re working on vocational training for students with significant disabilities. Let me tell you, I have seen the good, the bad, and the really, really ugly!
Where I’ve seen most teachers fail in this process is not setting up quality vocational training activities for their students. They’ve relied on tired task boxes and file folder games that should have been retired with the VHS tape. If you want to set up a quality program and support your students in a meaningful way, then you have to set up vocational tasks in a thoughtful manner.
I suggest hands on materials that are high interest and actually build solid work skills. Check out the resources below for a few that I use in my classroom.
Quality vocational tasks make a world of difference.
Start a Class Business
Another way to set up a quality vocational training program is to start a classroom-based business. I have loved operating a coffee cart with my student as well as selling class made dog treats and cookie jars at the holidays.
Not only is it a great way to get students involved in a fun and functional hands-on vocational task, it builds classroom camaraderie. Plus it also puts a little cash into our program so we can get more fun vocational training activities going.
Read more about Classroom Based Businesses HERE.
Target Soft Skills
You know that you have set up a meaningful vocational training program when soft skills are being build. What are soft skills?
Soft skills are the thing that are most valuable to employers but hardest to train. They include things like punctuality, professionalism, social skills, and hygiene. As you set up your vocational training class, really think about how you can address things like:
- Using and reading a schedule.
- Clocking in and out at certain times or at certain stations within the classroom.
- Asking others for help.
- Answering questions about their job in a professional manner.
- Interacting socially with peers, including at break times.
- Completing a grooming checklist or hygiene routine.
Check Out Vocational Tasks in the Shop
Recap: How to Set Up Vocational Training in Special Ed
Yep! Our jobs as special education teachers goes way beyond just the basic curriculum.
To set up a successful vocational training class, you need to also addressed soft skills. Doing this will help make our students successful when they transition to post-secondary.
When I think of Henry, I am proud that he was helped by what we did in the classroom and that it actually translated to his life.
That, my fellow educator, is the mark of great teaching.
