2025 CEC Educator Resource Hub
Practical tools, podcast recaps, and free downloads to make your classroom more inclusive, tech-savvy, and resilient.
AI-Generated Podcast Recap
Our Sessions
Combatting Learned Helplessness
Inspired by Danielle Edison, Michelle Griffin, Lene Cantrell, Natalie Richardson, Amy Yarbrough
What if your students could—but just don’t believe it yet?
This standing-room-only session unpacked how shame, avoidance, and fixed mindsets are stalling student success. Dive into the tools, mindset strategies, and reframing resources you can use tomorrow to help students shift from “I can’t” to “I will.
Included Resources:
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"I Am" Statements for a Growth Mindset – Daily affirmations designed to replace negative self-talk with positive identity statements.
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Reframing Mindset Tool – A step-by-step worksheet helping students move from fixed to growth mindset thinking.
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7 Common Mistakes That Reinforce Learned Helplessness – A quick-reference guide for educators on what not to do.
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"I Don't Know" Reframing Sheet – Encourages student independence by offering sentence starters and problem-solving questions.
High-Impact Co-Teaching Strategies
Inspired by Tammy Barron, Brad Witzel, Leslie Owens
When co-teaching is done right, everyone wins.
Co-teaching shouldn't feel like one teacher talking and the other nodding. Explore models that work, the mistakes to avoid, and the key structures that make collaborative teaching both inclusive and rigorous.
Included Resources:
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Three High-Yield Co-Teaching Models – Infographic with visuals and descriptions of Station, Parallel, and Alternative teaching.
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New Inclusive Education Teacher Survival Checklist – A first-week essentials tool for co-teaching and navigating shared spaces.
Student-Led Goal Development
Inspired by Hunter Matusevich & Dale Matusevich
Let’s stop setting goals for students—and start setting them with them.
What if your students could articulate their goals, track their progress, and reflect like pros? This approach centers student voice and uses proven strategies to build autonomy, resilience, and motivation.
Included Resources:
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Let’s Write Goals That Matter to You Worksheet – A goal-setting tool that walks students through identifying their strengths and setting meaningful academic or personal goals.
Teaching Word Problems with Confidence
Inspired by Sarah Pawell, Kate Berry, Megan Carroll
Tired of blank stares during math word problems?
Explore schema-based instruction and the UPS Check method to transform confusion into clarity. Plus—learn how removing numbers helps students build confidence before they even touch a pencil.
Included Resources:
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🔍 UPS Check Strategy for Word Problems – Step-by-step organizer for students to understand, plan, solve, and check math word problems.
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Numberless Word Problems – A worksheet guide with example prompts that help students focus on the story before the numbers.
Accommodations & Advocacy
Inspired by Laura Kern & Kate Dooley
Students can’t self-advocate if they don’t know what they need.
Help students recognize and request their accommodations while training general educators to follow IEPs with confidence. This section is packed with tools that empower learners and clarify legal responsibilities.
Included Resources:
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Understanding My Accommodations Worksheet – Helps students understand and take ownership of their IEP accommodations.
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Accommodations vs. Modifications One-Page Guide for General Education Teachers – A side-by-side comparison with clear examples.
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Self-Advocacy Practice Sheet: Asking for My Accommodations – Includes scripts and email templates to help students request supports.
The Power of AI in Inclusive Education
Inspired by Susan Aylor, Nora Brooking, Emily Smith, Sara Taylor, Jessie Gardner, Mary Clancy, Tiffanie Zaugg, Tracey Antista & Adelaide Jones
AI won’t replace teachers, but it can save you hours.
From lesson planning to accessibility, AI is changing how we teach. Learn how to integrate it responsibly, avoid common pitfalls, and personalize learning—plus grab your AI prompt toolkit and check out the 30-minute podcast breakdown.
Included Resources:
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Gamify Your Lesson Plan Poster
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Leveraging Technology to Make Learning More Accessible
Mentorship & Retention in Special Ed
Inspired by Catherine Burkhard, Jedervine Fils, Amanda Freese, Katherine Hover
Good mentorship isn’t extra—it’s essential.
Learn how districts are improving teacher retention by investing in inclusive mentorship models. Get practical tools for supporting new special education teachers through IEPs, co-teaching, burnout, and everything in between.
Included Resources:
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Mentor Reflection Tool for New Inclusive Education Teachers – Prompts for mentors and mentees to use in reflective conversations.
Visibility + Policy Advocacy
Inspired by Terry Friedrichs & Kuna Tavalin
There are millions of educators with disabilities. Why aren’t we talking about it?
This section unpacks systemic bias, policy gaps, and the advocacy work needed to change the narrative. Download the action guide, hear real stories, and find your next step in pushing for inclusive, disability-aware schools.
Included Resources:
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Visibility + Policy Action Guide: Supporting Educators with Disabilities – Strategies for inclusive policy-making, visibility tips, and advocacy steps for individuals and schools.