The Difference Between Setting Goals and Objectives "Think of goals as what developmental milestones or academic skills we want the student to acquire in one year. The objectives and benchmarks are showing how we are going to get there and how we will measure if we are making sufficient progress towards that goal." ~ Excerpt from my book, I See You, I Hear You and I Understand. For students, especially students on an IEP, we are intentional that their learning goals need to be SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Rea...

Parent-Teacher conferences are such a powerful tool to bridge the relationship between school and families. Parent-Teacher conferences are designed to create an opportunity for the families and the teachers to talk. Most conferences are scheduled for 15 minute time blocks. You may be nervous or unsure what your role is during this event. Not knowing what to say, what to ask for, what your role is and the idea that it’s only 15 minutes can be unnerving and stressful.   I have been both the teacher and the parent at these meetings. I have been in your shoes. I have gathered my most favorite questions for you to ask at your next conference.  At Who’s Learning Now, we believe in ...

Thankful for 3 Types of People At Who’s Learning Now, weI believe strongly that positive collaborative TEAMS are the true foundation to a child’s education. This week of Thanksgiving there is a lot to be Thankful for.  Today (and everyday) We are grateful for you, these TEAM members!! You, the S...

5 Things to do Before, During and After a School Holiday We made it through the Fall. Transitioning from summer vibes back into the routine of school. Adding routines around bedtimes and wake ups, homework, sports and activities. I’ve heard many families say, “it’s a lot.” Yes, I agree, it’s a lot. Especially when most of our kids have not had a typical school year for 2 years. Change is hard. Even harder when you aren’t used to doing it for a while.  And just when you adjust to the new Fall routines, bam , here co...

Person First Language A person is a person first and then any descriptions come after that. We would NOT say “the orange hat man”. We WOULD say “the man with the orange hat". Knowing this. Then this belief is true as well.  We would NOT say, “the Down Syndrome boy” or “my Autistic daughter”. We WOULD say, “the boy with Down Syndrome” or “my daughter with Autism”. Simply changing HOW we say things, can change HOW we view things. To learn more ways to support your learner, please visit   www.WhosLearningNow.com  and join our  Parent and Educator Support Group  on Facebook! 

Who's Learning Now - Learning Strengths Inventory™  If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.  ~ Ignacio Estrada Do you know HOW your child learns? Do you know their preferred way of taking in new information?  Many parents do not. ...

I have a strong belief that I want to share with you today. In the past, students with special needs were sent to separate schools, buildings and even separate homes. We have come a long way in how we see, treat and educate people with special needs. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal special education law originally passed by Congress in 1975. It has been amended several times, most recently in September 2011. IDEA basically states that all children with disabilities have the opportunity to receive a free and a...

You are your child’s advocate. You know your child best. It’s been said that parents are not given a “handbook” or directions when their child comes into your life. I disagree. I would argue that you did get a guidebook, you did get directions. I call it “...

Going back to school in 2021 is going to look different, but in some ways, it’s going to look the way it did in 2019. Parents will still rush to fill lunch boxes and backpacks with the essentials. New and old students will experience first day jitters as they wonder how they’ll be able to handle their new workload. Yet, in the midst of the familiar, we still battle the same fears that plague...