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 2025-2026 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
Free Download
→ Use these visual schedule icons to help keep the day flowing smoothly!
Even as an adult professional, 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
→ Best Practices to Structure Your Self-Contained Classroom
→ The Importance of Classroom Environment
→ 5 Ways to Develop a Learning Rich Classroom Environment
Free Download
→ 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
→ How to Make Equity in Special Education a Reality
→ Promoting Equitable and Inclusive Learning Opportunities
Free Download
→ 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
→ How to Boost Family Involvement
→ How to Support Your Classroom Paraprofessionals
Free Download
→ 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!
Tasha McKinney brings over eight years of experience in education. After four years of teaching outdoor education programs, she pursued a Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Texas. Since then, she has worked in classroom settings and created content for EdTech companies.