The start of a new school year brings the chance to build relationships with a fresh group of students and support them in reaching their goals. While it’s an exciting time, it can also be overwhelming for educators preparing to meet the unique needs of the students who will be in their classroom.
We’ve gathered a variety of resources and strategies from experts in the field to help you enter the 2026-2027 school year feeling confident and prepared to foster the best outcomes for your students with moderate to severe disabilities.
Schedules and routines are critical in the school setting for establishing clear expectations and guidelines. For students with disabilities in particular, unexpected transitions and changes can lead to dysregulation. Having established routines 
and schedules in place can help students with moderate to severe disabilities reduce behavioral challenges, improve academic outcomes, and foster independence.
Blogs
→ Using Schedules and Routines to Help Your Classroom Run Smoothly
→ 10 Tips to Help Your Students Navigate Transition Times
→ Creating Visual Supports and Schedules for PreK Students with Disabilities
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→ Use these visual schedule icons to help keep the day flowing smoothly!
Even as an adult, you’ve probably noticed that the space you work in affects your focus and productivity. The same rings true for students. As you prepare your classroom for a new year, consider these tips for cultivating a space that is optimized for student learning.
Blogs
→ Setting Your Classroom Up For Success
→ The Importance of Classroom Environment
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→ Add this breathing exercise to your classroom calm corner!
Every educator wants to create a space of safety and belonging for their students, but how do you practically cultivate an inclusive classroom culture? We’ve compiled some helpful tips you can start applying from the first day of school.
Blogs 
→ Best Practices for Inclusion
→ Teaching Students to Celebrate Differences
Webinar
→ Best Practices to Promote an Inclusive Learning Environment
→ How to Make Equity in Special Education a Reality
→ Promoting Equitable and Inclusive Learning Opportunities
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→ Creating an inclusive classroom culture starts with knowing your students, including their interests, strengths, and learning styles. Send a Student Information Form home with your students to complete with their guardians and get a head start on supporting your students’ individual needs.
It takes a team to provide the best support for students with disabilities. Check out these strategies and resources for working in partnership with colleagues and parents to achieve the joint goal of student success.
Blogs
→ Tips for Boosting Family Involvement in Special Education
→ How to Strengthen Your Relationship with Your Paraprofessional
→ SLP & Teacher Collaboration: An Integrated Approach to Language Intervention
Check out our eBook, Shaping the Home-to-School Connection.
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→ Introduce yourself to guardians with a meet & greet letter, inviting them to also share more about themselves and their family. Here’s an example!
Curious about adding TeachTown’s award-winning curriculum to your back-to-school toolkit? Talk to a team member to learn more!