What is code switching?
​Code switching is the practice of switching the languages you use or the way you express yourself in conversations depending on your environment.

This is most popularly used in bilingual communities when someone switches between two languages, for example Spanglish- the combination of using Spanish and English words in a sentence. Code switching is also utilized to switch between dialects, registers, styles, tone of voice, slang, etc. It is essentially the ability to switch between professional language and "home" language.

The second most common use of code switching is by people who speak nonstandard or a dialectal English.  For example, African American English (AAE) or Southern American English.  Both of these English dialects have their own set of consistent grammatical rules that they follow.  They have to learn to code-switch to a more standard form of English in a formal or academic setting.

WE ALL CODE SWITCH
Any time we switch the language we use to fit the audience we are talking to, we are code switching!

Smaller examples of code switching:

• The language you use to talk to your boss vs. talking to your best friend
• The language and tone of voice you use to talk on the phone to the bank vs. talking to your mom
• Even the language you use when texting is code switching from English to texting abbreviations

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
It is expected in schools and in professional settings that we already know how to use Standard American English and can code switch independently. 

BUT we are first exposed to language before we even enter school! Toddlers learn language at home.  At home we use a different, more casual language then we do at school or at work.  Therefore, many toddlers are never exposed to Standard American English until they enter school.  They have also never learned or had the need to code switch.  Over time, some kids are able to learn to code switch independently, but this isn't always an easy task.

​
Academic settings often treat features of nonstandard dialects as if they are "errors". When children are using the language they learned in their homes and come to school to be told they are wrong, it makes no logical sense for them because they are correctly using the features of their home language.

When kids aren't taught early on how to code switch to Standard American English, it can cause a lot of problems in the academic setting.  They have difficulty adapting to the grammatical rules, difficulty with reading literacy, anxiety, apprehension about participating in class and social situations, and trouble with other academic standards that are set for them.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

• Code switching (CS) has been found to be a natural occurrence and approach to language use
• CS speakers have higher competencies in both languages and a healthy balanced brain
• CS maximizes learning and decreases anxiety
• CS in the classroom creates more relevance to students, it allows the classroom to become more realistic and personalized
• CS students are allowed to explore target language in regards to personal interests
• CS students are more likely to invest in their own language
• They gain confidence in speaking and understanding language

So teach your kids early on how to code switch! Explain that we use a different language at home and a different language at school.  Teach them when to use their "home" speech and when to use their "school" speech while encouraging them to explore both!  Code switching isn't a negative concept- it is a celebration of our different cultures and a natural occurrence.   It is an effective way for all individuals to communicate across a variety of audiences.

​Have fun exploring the fluidity of language!

What is reflective practice?
Reflective practice is the act of assessing your own thoughts and actions for the purpose of personal learning and development.  For a lot of people, this act is something that is natural and instinctive. For others, it's something you need to actively work towards.  It is the idea of learning from experience.

1. You think about what you did.
2. You think about what happened as a result.
3. You decide from there what you would do differently next time.

Thinking about what happened is the natural part about being human. The difference between casually "thinking" about what you did and "reflective practice" is that in reflective thinking you are required to put a conscious effort into developing insights.

What is the purpose?
Reflective practice helps us explore ideas and apply them to our experiences. It encourages growth and improvement. It can be applied to any profession or personal situation. It is a continuing process where you analyze and evaluate an experience to learn and gain insight to positively improve client outcomes. The whole goal is to lead to changes and improvements in our professions. 
As teachers and therapists we need to think about what you did, why you did it, how you did, and if it worked.
By collecting information about what goes on in our classrooms and sessions and analyzing that information, we can lead to change and improvement in our teaching.

You might be talking to a coworker and say, "My students didn't understand that lesson at all" or "I've been working on this concept with this child for a month and he still doesn't seem to get it." THAT is the beginning stages of reflection. However, if we don't spend time focusing and discussing what actually happened we might jump to conclusions. We may only remember those louder students reactions or we may only remember what the child didn't do. Reflective practice involves a systematic approach of collecting, recording, and analyzing our thoughts and observations to make change.
Think about these things:

• If the child didn't understand the concept, think about what we did and how it may have been unclear.
• If the child grasps a concept and is able to use it, think about what went well, describe it, and think about why it was successful.
• If the students didn't understand a lesson, think about what you said, what were the reactions of all the students, and how did you teach it.
• If the students are misbehaving, think about what they were doing, when, and why?

Getting started:
At the end of every lesson: QUESTION:

1. What did you do?
2. Why did you do that?
3. What is effective?
4. How do you feel about that?
5. How did the children respond to the lesson?
6. Why do you think they responded that way?
7. How can you do that lesson better?
8. What will you do tomorrow?

At the end of every day: QUESTION:

1. Did I accomplish what I wanted to today?
2. Was I prepared today?
3. What did I do well and why was it successful?
4. What can I do better and what do I need to do to change it?
5. What was the most important thing I wanted them to learn today? Is there any evidence that they learned it?
6. What did I learn from the kids today?

Lastly, in the book People Skills, Neil Thompson suggests six steps to reflection:

1. Read- Read around the topics you are learning about or want to learn about and develop
2. Ask- Ask others about the way they do things and why
3. Watch-Watch what is going on around you
4. Feel- Pay attention to your emotions, what prompts them, and how do you deal with the negative ones
5. Talk-Share your views and experiences with others
6. Think-Learn to value time spent thinking about your work

Remember, reflection is a natural thing for humans to do. It only takes a little more conscious effort on your part to become a reflective practitioner and improve the learning of both yourself and your students. You may decide to do something a different way, or you may discover proof that what you're doing is the best possible way-and THAT is what reflective practice is all about.

My first year working in secondary education I assumed that by this stage in the student's life both the parents and teachers knew and understood what an IEP was. I encountered however, some teachers who didn't know what IEP stood for, and some parents who thought the IEP was just a yearly "parent-teacher conference." While the IEP meeting is an opportunity for teachers to give updates to parents, a lot more is going on.

What is an IEP?
IEP stands for Individualized Education Plan. This is a document that is developed for each public school student who is eligible for special education. The term "special education" can scare off a lot of parents. This simply means that the general education program isn't meeting the needs of the student so they require an individualized plan with accommodations to help them reach their goals. The IEP is meant to address each student's unique learning difficulties and include specific goals to target them. It is a legally binding document and the school must provide everything it promises in the IEP. 

What happens at an IEP meeting?
The law requires that once a year the IEP team reviews the IEP. The IEP team can meet more often that once a year depending on the needs of the student. The point of the meeting is to make sure the student's IEP is working for them. It gives an opportunity for parents to discuss their child's strengths and weaknesses with teachers. If the student didn't meet any or all of his goals, you can discuss new ideas to help the student. This may mean modifying the goal, adjusting expectations, or giving the student more/different kinds of services/supports.

The IEP meeting is when parents, teachers, and the school can give and get input on how the student is doing. The IEP needs to be revised as the student makes progress and faces new challenges in the academic curriculum.

Who attends the IEP meeting?
The IEP Team will attend every IEP meeting. The IEP team includes:

• Parents
• At least one of the student's general education teachers (unless the student does not work with general education teachers)
• At least one special education teacher or other special education provider
• A school district representative 
• A school psychologist or other specialist (Speech Therapist) who can interpret the student's most recent evaluation and test results
• The student (when it is felt appropriate)

A team member can be excused from the meeting if both the parent and the school agree to it. The parent can invite someone who they feel understands their child's needs to attend the IEP meeting. Anyone who can't attend in person can participate by conference call or video chat.

What is discussed at the IEP Meeting?
The IEP being discussed at the meeting is considered a draft IEP. Some schools create the IEP in advance and then share it at the IEP meeting. Other schools develop it together during the meeting. Since it is a draft, suggested changes can be made during the meeting.
Every IEP meeting will cover these things:

• Present level of performance (PLOP): The case manager (or team leader) will write a statement about the student's current level of academic and functional performance and goals. This is based on data and observations.
• Annual goals: The team reviews the progress the student has made toward meeting his annual goals then together they develop new or revised goals. The goals will be specific, measurable, and unique to the student.
• Individualized supports and services: The team will discuss how well the student's accommodations, modifications, and specialized instruction are working. Then the team updates the supports and services to match the student's PLOP and new goals.
• The results of the student's most recent evaluation, if there is one: Every student will be re-evaluated every three years. The school psychologist or other professionals (Speech Therapist) conducting the evaluation will explain the results at the IEP meeting.

What is in an IEP?
Each IEP will look different as they are made to cater to each student's unique needs. Every IEP however, will contain the following things:

• The student's present level of educational performance (PLOP)
• The results of the student's evaluations and tests
• Special education and related services to be provided (i.e. if the student is receiving Speech Therapy it will state this and the frequency that they will receive it)
• Accommodations and modifications: these help the student to be successful in the general education curriculum; Accommodations are changes in how a student learns and participates, i.e. being given extra time on tests. Modifications are changes in what is taught to or expected, this is the grade-level expectations a student must meet
• Supplementary aids and services: Supports to help a student learn in the general education classroom, i.e. a one-on-one aide, highlighted classroom notes, or assistive technology 
• Annual educational goals
• A description of how the student's progress will be measured and reported to the parent
• An explanation of how much the student will participate in general education classes and extracurricular activities
• The date the IEP will go into effect
• Depending on the student's age and situation it might also include:
  • A transition plan: services and supports to help a student graduate from high school and achieve post-high school goals
  • Extended school year services: some students may receive special education services outside of the regular school year such as during the summer

I hope this gave you good insight into what happens in an IEP meeting. Remember, the IEP is more than just a "parent-teacher meeting," it is an opportunity to make positive changes in a student's life. For more information on IEPs, click below!

​Here's some ideas:

1. Avoid yelling
   1. This is a hard one. Although teachers aren't looking for an opportunity to yell, one always seems to arise. Students can get unruly, especially towards the end of the day and you end up yelling at them to quiet down or to get their attention more than once. Try to use nonverbal actions to get their attention instead. Clapping your hands, blowing a whistle (my favorite idea), turning the lights on and off, or raising your hand.
2. ​Use good breath support
   1. When you're speaking concentrate on getting good breath support. If you run out of air, don't​ force yourself to continue speaking! Take frequent pauses and breaths during your lessons.
3. Relax
   1. Keep your neck and jaw as relaxed as possible while you're speaking. Don't strain your muscles when you're trying to teach a lesson.
4. Stop throat clearing!
   1. Throat clearing causes excess wear and tear to your vocal folds. It causes irritation and swelling that can actually cause​ saliva to sit on your throat, resulting in more throat clearing. A vicious cycle will begin. When you feel the need to clear your throat try swallowing hard or taking small sips of water. You can also try to clear your throat silently by saying "huh". If you have excess mucus build up talk to your doctor about different medication options.
5. ​Use a sound amplification system while teaching
   1. Now, most of my teacher friends have stood in front of a large group and said "You can hear me all the way back there can't you? I don't need a microphone, I'm loud enough without one!" Although it may be true that you have excellent projection skills, our voices weren't meant to handle that constant strain all day long for an entire school year! Use the mic!
6. Instead of whispering use a "confidential tone"
   1. Whispering is an unnatural volume for us to use. Instead try lowering your voice and changing the tone you use to get the same effect
7. Try to be within three feet of your listener while speaking
   1. This isn't always possible in large classrooms, but trying walking around the room and between the rows of desks while teaching. This way your voice makes its way to every student without causing too much vocal strain.
8. Build periods of vocal rest into your day
   1. Not everyone is blessed with a planning period to rest during. If you have a planning period, try not to use your voice during that time and give it the rest it deserves. If you don't have a planning period, you need to build in rests elsewhere. Cut out singing in the shower or car and incorporate times in your lessons where the students are working on a silent activity.
9. Be aware of your environment
   1. Air-conditioned rooms and dusty areas can dehydrate you and impact your voice. If you have the ability to control the temperature in your classroom try to keep it room temperature. Promoting good ergonomics in your classroom can also have a positive impact on your voice; maintain good posture and avoid excess tension. Re-arrange your room to achieve this. Also, using partitions in your room for better acoustic protection from background noise will decrease the volume you need to use to be heard. Lastly, invest in a humidifier. Humidifiers work to put moisture back in the air, use one every school night when you go to bed.
10. Stay hydrated!
    1. Carry water with you throughout your day. Vocal dehydration can come from prolonged talking and even too much caffeine intake. Take small sips frequently rather than chugging down a large amount at once. Replace your coffee, teas, and sodas with water.

​Put these 10 tips into practice this school year and see if it makes a difference in your quality of voice!

​For more information on the voice check out my pages below!