Around Town Round Up- Visual Supports for Staff

We are always advocating for the use of visual supports for our students. However, what about visual supports for staff? These are just as important! Visual supports for staff can help staff work more efficiently and independently. They are also a great way to make sure everyone remembers important details when things are hectic. An effective special education classroom includes visual support for staff and we have gathered some great examples from our teams around the Miami Valley in today's Around Town Round Up.

Classroom Schedule
The most basic visual support that can be provided for classroom staff is a classroom schedule that dictates the sequence of activities and routines for the day.

Susan Trissell
Westwood Elementary, Dayton

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Nicia Cook
Kenwood Elementary, Springfield

Student Schedules

It can also be helpful to display copies of individual student schedules so that staff can assist students with where they need to transition to. This also eliminates the need to interrupt instruction to determine where an individual student needs to go. 

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Lisa Bauer
Northmont Middle School, Northmont

Color coding can be used to help staff know which students they are responsible for at a given time. Assign each staff member a color and then highlight the student's schedule in that color to indicate their staff coverage. 

Pandy Pugh
Indian Riffle Elementary, Kettering

Ashley Holtz
Kleptz ELC, Northmont

Amy Beanblossom
Arcanum Elementary, Arcanum

Paras who work 1:1 with students can use the student's schedule to know what to prime them for and can it may include more detailed notes on working with that student. 

Wendy Sondergaard
Rushmore Elementary, Huber Heights

 We love this portable student schedule that the 1:1 para can keep on their lanyard!

Lindy McDaniel
Considerate Classroom

Even when the schedule is well established, visual reminders like specials or related service times make it easy to quickly reference these changes in the schedule. 

Carrie Prickett
Jane Chance Elementary, Miamisburg

Annette Stine
Kyle Elementary, Troy

Individual Staff Member Schedules and Lesson Plans

To provide further independence for staff, provide them with their own schedule and lesson plans so they know exactly what is expected from them throughout the day.

Amy Beanblossom
Arcanum Elementary, Arcanum

Christine Scarborough
Tecumseh Elementary, Xenia

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Reminders on lesson materials can also be great, quick visual supports to reference in the middle of instruction!

Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering

Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering

Lindsey Woods
Fairborn Primary, Fairborn

Student Goals

Visual supports can also be a way for staff to quickly reference student goals and how to best support students in meeting their goals. 

Karyn Smith
Tri-Village High School, Tri-Village

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Our Emotion Cue Cards for Staff are a great visual support for supporting behavior. On the front, staff writes what a student looks like in the green, yellow, and red zone. Then on the back, staff writes how to respond to the student's behavior. This visual support helps all staff working with the student respond to behavior in a consistent way.

Visual Cues and Post-It Note Reminders

There is no limit to ways visual supports can be used for staff in the classroom. In addition to schedules and plans. Visual supports can be displayed throughout the classroom to cue staff and help them remember important details. 

Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering

Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering

Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering