Reality 101 is CEC's blog written for new special and gifted education teachers, by new special and gifted education teachers.

The Reality 101 bloggers are CEC members--who have been selected to share their experiences with the special and gifted education community for an entire school year. There will be successes and challenges, ups and downs . . . but no matter what, their stories will showcase just how rewarding a career in special education can be.

We encourage readers, both new and veteran educators, to get to know them, offer advice and share their own stories through the blog. Be sure to subscribe by e-mail or RSS feed, so you don't miss a single post! (See the upper-left corner of the blog.)

Read entries from our bloggers.

Are you a teacher educator? Consider using Reality 101 as a course supplement for your introductory special education classes.

Have questions about the blog, or want to be put in touch with one of the bloggers? Contact CEC's Diane Shinn at dianes@cec.sped.org.

Reality 101: CEC's blog for new teachers
Jerry: Our most critical work
Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:51:29 -0400 For a period of three months beginning in March and ending in May, I was heavily engaged in writing IEPs for students at our school. It may be small potatoes for some of you, but this year I wrote at...
Kaylie: End of the Year Questions
Wed, 29 May 2013 09:34:00 -0400 I have a love-hate relationship with the last week of school. I love the final field trips, the laid-back atmosphere of the classroom, afternoon walks with my students, retirement luncheons and my students building log cabins out of random leftovers...
John: IEP Season
Fri, 24 May 2013 09:13:00 -0400 I listen to the Dave Ramsey Show podcast religiously. Dave is an anti-debt financial counselor. Occasionally, people will call into his radio show to do a “debt-free scream.” For people who have paid off a large amount of debt, Dave...
Charmelle: Having Your Voice Heard: A Trip to U.S. Department of Education
Wed, 15 May 2013 10:49:48 -0400 Last week, was a very busy and exciting week for me. I hope that everyone enjoyed their Teacher Appreciation Week and had the opportunity to celebrate Exceptional Children’s Week with their students. Aside, from indulging in the goodies at my...
Kaylie: Top Five Things I NEVER Thought I’d do as a Special Ed Teacher
Fri, 10 May 2013 14:01:14 -0400 I love lists. I make them for tons of reasons, and, yes, I am one of those people who add things that I’ve already done just to cross them off. Recently, I was reflecting back on my past two and...