Miss Lewis Goes Teaching

✨ BIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES ✨

For the last few weeks, I’ve been deep in product development mode over here at Miss Lewis Goes Teaching 💙🌊

I’ve been brainstorming, researching, testing, planning, and building ideas for something I am SO excited about…

🫧 Student Sensory Kits
🍎 Teacher Supply/Goodies Kits

As someone who works in Special Education every single day, I know firsthand how important it is to have tools that actually help students regulate, reset, focus, and feel supported — and let’s be honest… teachers deserve support too. 💛

These aren’t random “throw things in a box” kits.
I’m working hard to create kits that are:
✨ practical
✨ calming & supportive
✨ classroom realistic
✨ sensory-friendly
✨ teacher tested
✨ affordable for real classrooms

Think: 🖐 sensory supports
🧠 emotional regulation tools
📚 classroom-friendly goodies
☕ teacher encouragement & survival items
💙 resources made with REAL educators and REAL students in mind

Right now I’m in the messy-but-fun phase of:
📦 researching supplies
📦 testing products
📦 figuring out what actually works
📦 designing packaging & ideas
📦 planning what would truly help classrooms

This is still in development, but I cannot WAIT to share more with you all. 🥹

What would YOU love to see in a student sensory kit or teacher goodies kit? Drop ideas below ⬇️

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible moms, grandmas, caregivers, bonus moms, and school moms out there 💖

As teachers, we see firsthand how much love, energy, and emotional strength it takes to raise and support children—especially in a world that moves so fast.

This is your reminder that:
🌸 It’s okay to not do everything perfectly
🌸 Your presence matters more than perfection
🌸 Caring for your mental health teaches children to care for theirs too

To the moms packing lunches while running on empty… To the caregivers advocating endlessly for their children… To the women balancing work, home, emotions, and expectations…

You are appreciated more than words can say.
And to my students who may find today difficult—because of grief, distance, complicated feelings, or loss—your feelings are valid too. 🤍

With love,
Miss Lewis 🍎✨

The 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣-2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ school year came with some really cool firsts for the IBI unit I work in.

My daughter is in 5th grade this year and her classroom was our Buddy Class! Once a month they came into our classroom and spent time with our students whether it was a sensory activity like bubbles or playdoh, or work such as a Color/Cut/Paste activity- they showed up!

This passed Friday, they came in with the cutest made poster & a little "gift" for our kids. They colored these adorable overalls that had smarties in them. This was to wish us luck on our EOY testing!

If your school does NOT have an inclusive buddy class happening, I HIGHLY recommend it!! It is such a great opportunity for both classes to learn, lead, and included.

Visual schedules = GAME CHANGER 👏

If you work in special education (or honestly ANY classroom), you already know… transitions can make or break your day 😅

Visual schedules help students:
✔ Know what’s coming next
✔ Feel safe and prepared
✔ Build independence
✔ Reduce behaviors tied to anxiety

And the best part? They don’t have to be complicated.

In my classroom, we use everything from full schedules to simple “First/Then” boards depending on student needs 💛

Consistency + visuals = success

👇 Tell me below:
Do you use visual schedules in your classroom?

April is Autism Awareness Month… but let’s be real 👇

Awareness is just the beginning.

As educators and paraprofessionals, we don’t just need to know autism exists — we need to actively create classrooms where our students feel supported, understood, and included.

That’s where ✨ acceptance ✨ comes in.

In my classroom, acceptance looks like:
✔ Visual supports
✔ Sensory-friendly spaces
✔ Flexibility
✔ Understanding behavior as communication

This month, let’s shift from awareness → ACTION 💛

Comment below:
Are you focusing more on awareness or acceptance?

Today is World Autism Awareness Day 💙 (April 2nd)

Today we don’t just raise awareness… we choose understanding, acceptance, and action.

Autism is not one-size-fits-all. Every autistic individual has unique strengths, needs, and ways of communicating. As educators, paraprofessionals, and caregivers, it’s our responsibility to meet them where they are — not where we expect them to be.

💙 Awareness says: “I see you.”
💙 Acceptance says: “I value you.”
💙 Advocacy says: “I will support you.”

In our classrooms, this looks like:
✨ Providing sensory supports and safe spaces
✨ Using visuals and clear routines
✨ Respecting communication differences
✨ Celebrating progress in all forms

Because inclusion isn’t just about being present — it’s about truly belonging.

Let’s continue to learn, grow, and advocate — today and every day.

April is Autism Awareness Month 💙

But awareness is just the beginning…

In our classrooms and communities, we move beyond awareness and into acceptance, inclusion, and advocacy.

Autism is not something to “fix” — it’s a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world. Every autistic individual brings unique strengths, perspectives, and ways of communicating that deserve to be understood and respected.

As educators, paraprofessionals, and caregivers, what we do matters:
✨ We create safe, supportive environments
✨ We honor different communication styles
✨ We celebrate progress — big and small
✨ We advocate for what our students truly need

Inclusion is not just a placement… it’s a mindset.
Let’s continue to build classrooms where every student feels seen, valued, and supported — not just this month, but all year long.
💙

Top 5 Calm Down Strategies for Students 💜

When a student is overwhelmed, the goal is not control… it’s regulation.

Calm down strategies help students feel safe, reset their bodies, and return to learning when they’re ready.
Here are 5 simple, effective strategies I use in my classroom that actually work 👇

Remember:
Every child is different. What works for one student may not work for another — and that’s okay.
The key is teaching these strategies before the meltdown happens.

Save this post for your classroom, your kids, or your calm down corner 💜









MissLewisGoesTeaching

What Paraprofessionals Actually Do
(Not Babysitters 👀)

People often misunderstand what paraprofessionals do in schools.

We are not babysitters.
We are not “helpers.”

And we definitely are not just sitting in classrooms.
Paraprofessionals are essential members of the education team, especially in special education classrooms like IBI units.

Every day we support students academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. We collect data, implement interventions, assist with communication, and help students build independence.

Many of our students rely on us to help them navigate school safely and successfully.

So the next time you see a paraprofessional in a classroom, know this:
We are teaching.
We are supporting.
We are advocating.
And we are making a difference in students' lives every single day. 💜









MissLewisGoesTeaching

Things I wish people understood about my students…

They are some of the most determined, resilient, and incredible kids I know.

Every day they are working through challenges most people never see — sensory overload, communication barriers, emotional regulation, and learning differences.

What may look like a small step to someone else can be a huge victory for them.

My students are not defined by their struggles.
They are defined by their perseverance, their humor, their creativity, and their growth.

I wish more people could see them the way I do. 💜