Nicole Tartaro

K-3 Autism Teacher

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@RutgersAltRoute A5-We need to know our students before disciplining them. Do the students know/understand what they did was wrong? Have we created positive supports to teach them what they can and should do, instead of what they can't? Being a teacher is SO more than academics #AltRtEd #Sped

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@carol_costanzo @RutgersAltRoute I agree that virtual learning has taught me to create and provide more visuals and videos. I continue to use these in-person and I think that's been really helpful

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@RutgersAltRoute A4- It's important that students with ADHD set up their environments for learning. They should be distraction-free with easy access to learning tools. It's also important lessons are of interest/relevant and students get movement breaks #AltRtEd #Sped

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@dkbaumgartel @RutgersAltRoute I never appreciated the importance of movement until we were virtual and sitting in front of a screen all day... Great point!

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@alberti_mr @RutgersAltRoute That's a great idea! Students with and without disabilities strive with structures and supports like these

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@RutgersAltRoute A3- Knowing your students is key! It's also important that we remember student learning and growth are dynamic, not static. What worked at the beginning of the year may not work at the end, so it's essential to maintain positive relationships with students #AltRtEd #Sped

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@MissRoberts_EDU @RutgersAltRoute I completely agree. Giving students a say is important to make them feel safe and included in the process

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@RutgersAltRoute A2- I love asking students what they need to be successful, and then collaborating with them to create effective and meaningful supports. Kids are SO creative and resourceful #AltRtEd #Sped

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@RutgersAltRoute A1- A challenge has been thoroughly answering students' questions about inclusion while maintaining the privacy and rights of the students' with disabilities #AltRtEd #Sped

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@RutgersAltRoute A1- I've gotten the opportunity (this week!) to watch students learn about each other and develop new friendships by teaching in an inclusive environment. #AltRtEd #Sped

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@RutgersAltRoute Nicole (Mercer Campus) and I teach K-3 Autism!

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@finleyt Thank you for this visual. It's got great strategies for helping teachers and students manage test anxiety #testanxiety #AltRtEd

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@MindShiftKQED @Kschwart I love this idea because I think students are quick to see a grade and ignore the feedback that goes with it. I would just add that I think it's important for teachers to graph any data we collect. Notes/trends can be deceiving if we don't analyze them properly. #AltRtEd #grading

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@Daniell39951927 @RutgersAltRoute This blew my mind too! I work primarily with 2nd and 3rd graders, so this statistic made me feel like I need to put even more emphasis on growth mindset with my students

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@KaylaSchott24 @RutgersAltRoute This comes from personal experience! As a student I always looked for the mistakes rather than taking a moment to celebrate my hard work, perseverance, and all I got right

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@RutgersAltRoute A5- Marking students off for incorrect responses, rather than awarding points for their effort, is a practice that I need to modify. Students ALWAYS scan for what they got wrong, rather than seeing their effort and the rewards for their efforts #AltRtEd #Growthmindset

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@RutgersAltRoute A4- Teachers should note and praise improvements in effort or problem-solving strategies over time. They should also teach students how to collect these data to recognize and celebrate their own success! #AltRtEd #Growthmindset

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@Daniell39951927 @RutgersAltRoute Good point about how we introduce tasks! If students understand that they are expected to make mistakes and take risks, it creates a safer space. If we're reacting to student's mistakes, it can be misinterpreted

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@RutgersAltRoute A3- I want to do better communicating to students that they are not expected to know new material but they ARE expected to make mistakes. I also want to share my mistakes and times I overcame challenges through effort and perseverance #AltRtEd #Growthmindset

[Nicole Tartaro @Ms_T_Class]

@alberti_mr @RutgersAltRoute Great point about not lowering expectations. I think it's easy to lower expectations and say, "They can't do that". It's hard work to scaffold, but the pay out is worth it!