SpEd in Gen Ed

Hi. My name is Karla, and I have been in education for over 25 years. During this time, I've had the privilege of working in many different capacities: a General Education teacher for 9 years, a Reading First Coach for 4 years, a district-appointed Academic Coach for 4 years, an Assistant Principal for 4 years, and an RSP/Mild-Moderate Education Specialist for 4 years, which is the role I am currently in. In addition, I have served as Admin Designee, IEP Chair, SST Chair, 504 Chair, an Early Intervention for School Success (EISS) State Trainer, EISS Peer Coach, EISS Demonstration Classroom, and a consultant for California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN)

Did you know 63.4% of Special Education students, aged between 6 and 21 years, spend 80% or more of their time in General Education classes? (Digest of Education Statistics, 2017-18) https://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/special-populations). The way we service students with disabilities is greatly evolving, and we are finding ourselves embracing inclusion, now more than ever. Within this current trend in Special Education, we often overlook the immense task placed upon Gen Ed teachers to create lessons which are accessible to such a diverse population. With this in mind, I believe ALL teachers across ALL settings should be equipped with the necessary resources to promote differentiation, accessibility, and inclusion for students with disabilities. I also believe in creating learning spaces in both Gen Ed and Special Ed settings which inspire, ignite, and delight young minds, and I believe students benefit greatly when lessons are engaging, motivating, catchy, visually appealing, and ACCESSIBLE to all types of LEARNERS. As teachers, we also want to be inspired and motivated, and I believe WELL-ORGANIZED resources in bright vivid colors and adorable clip art, can turn a drabby lesson into something delightful.

Greater San Diego Reading Association Award 2007 EISS Demonstration Classroom 2001-2004 Teacher of the Year, Emory Elementary School SBUSD 2001

I have an Education Specialist Mild-Moderate Credential, an Administrative Services Cleared Credential, a Masters Degree in Teaching with an emphasis in Technology, a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies, and a BCLAD Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

In my 25+ years in education, I have found great joy in creating lessons and activities for gen ed and special ed students and, while in the midst of the pandemic, I decided to finally join Teachers Pay Teachers as not only a buyer, but as a seller. I'm thrilled to finally start sharing my creations with you (Launched my TPT store in July 2020). Aside from the joys of teaching, I am the mother of two Engineering students, studying at UCSD and SDSU, I'm a dog and a cat person, I love everything "pretty," and I am blessed to surround myself daily with loving friends, colleagues, and family. I'd love to hear from you and I greatly value your constructive feedback (because if you're thinking it, others are probably thinking it, too). Please reach out to me if you have any questions, suggestions, or requests for a future project. I am also open to creating lessons in Spanish, as well. I'd love to hear from you! You may reach me at: karlakreates@icloud.com