joelmichaelmurphy

[joelmichaelmurphy]

180 Days to Life: How I Escaped Facebook Jail

If you’re wondering why I disappeared from Facebook, no—I didn’t block you, unfriend you, or go off-grid in a tiny cabin. I was collateral damage in Meta’s security sweep, locked out for being algorithmically tied to an Instagram account I’d never heard of: dr_sandra035702. Apparently, this ghost profile broke a rule buried somewhere in Meta’s Terms of Who-Knows-What, and because our accounts…

[joelmichaelmurphy]

The Reading Rope Unwound: Translating Science into Special Education Strategies

The challenges of imparting proficient reading skills are amplified in a middle school special education setting. With the insights gained from the LETRS training, the task of blending theory with practical instructional strategies becomes a promising venture. The objective is clear: to build a bridge from the foundational theories of reading to actionable teaching strategies that cater to the…

[joelmichaelmurphy]

Navigating Language Processors: A Middle School Special Education Perspective

Embarking on the voyage of understanding language processors has been nothing short of enlightening, especially through the lens of a middle school special education teacher. Our quest for specially designed instruction and personalized learning plans for students with learning disabilities leads us to delve deeper into the realms of phonological, orthographic, meaning, and context processors.…

[joelmichaelmurphy]

Bridging Spoken and Written Worlds: The Core of Literacy Education

In the realm of education, especially literacy education, understanding the multifaceted nature of language is not just important, it’s indispensable. As educators—whether Elementary teachers, Title I teachers, Reading Interventionists, Teachers of English Language Learners, or Special Educators—our mission extends beyond mere instruction. We are the bridge between the spoken and the written word…

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My Journey into the World of Niche Online Teaching: A Personal Narrative

Follow my adventure from a special ed teacher to an online niche educator, blending traditional classrooms with digital learning, all while keeping my day job. This journey mirrors the evolution of education.

In the realm of education, I’ve worn many hats. Over the last two decades, I’ve experienced a rich and fulfilling journey as a classroom teacher, collaborative teacher, instructional coach, district administrator, and now, a special education teacher for middle school students with learning disabilities. Each role has taught me invaluable lessons and shaped me into the educator I am today. Now,…

[joelmichaelmurphy]

Why is Reading so Hard for so Many Students?

Learning to read is a complex process that requires a number of different skills. Children need to be able to: Recognize and name letters Understand the relationship between letters and sounds Blend sounds together to form words Decode unfamiliar words Understand the meaning of words and sentences Comprehend the overall meaning of a text For many children, learning to read is a relatively…

[joelmichaelmurphy]

How to Design Personalized Instruction for Special Education Students

Personalized instruction is a type of instruction that is tailored to the individual needs of each learner. It can be used in any subject area, and it is especially important for students with special needs. Why is Personalized Instruction Important for Special Education Students? There are many reasons why personalized instruction is important for special education students. Some of the…

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The Importance of Differentiated Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities in Secondary Schools

Defining Differentiated Instruction As a middle school special education instructional coach, I have the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated and talented teachers in the field. I am constantly amazed by their creativity and ingenuity in finding ways to reach students with learning disabilities. One of the most important things that I do as an instructional coach is to help…