Author Archives: Toby Karten

“I’m Just a Teacher”

Posted on September 1, 2018 by Toby Karten

As an inclusion coach and consultant, upon a principal’s request, I arrived at a New Jersey school site last week to deliver a professional development session on the topic of co-teaching strategies. As a special educator, I arrived armed with … Continue reading →

Posted in Being a Teacher, co-teachers, co-teaching strategies, Collaboration, Inclusion Collaboration, inclusion partners, Inclusion Strategies, Professional Development | Comments Off on “I’m Just a Teacher”

Unable and Unwilling is Unacceptable!

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Toby Karten

Communications from parents of students with Down syndrome (DS) prompted this blog post.  Students with a label of DS possess different ages, genders, academic, social, and communicative levels, as well as varied likes and dislikes; hence each student is unique.  We cannot allow the common … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration, diversity, Down syndrome, Full inclusion, Inclusion Collaboration, Inclusion Ouches, inclusion rules, Inclusion Strategies, Inclusion: Families Partnering with Educators, multi-tiered systems of support, navigate the core curriculum, neurodiversity, positive disability attitudes, Special Education, Successes of Students with Disabilities | Comments Off on Unable and Unwilling is Unacceptable!

Heads or Tails & Coming Together!

Posted on December 3, 2017 by Toby Karten

When you flip a coin, there is a 50% chance of it landing on heads up and a 50% chance of it landing tails up. Life, a tossed coin with legs, is even less probable. Often, we do not toss … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Collaboration, disabilities and Broadway, disABILITY Awareness, disABILITY Rights, diversity, diversity, Full inclusion, Inclusion Collaboration, Inclusion: Families Partnering with Educators, positive disability attitudes, TDF | Comments Off on Heads or Tails & Coming Together!

#Texas Strong

Posted on September 3, 2017 by Toby Karten

My heart and prayers are sent to our Texas colleagues as they begin their school year. As an inclusion consultant in Victoria, Bloomington, Edna, and Corpus Christi, I have personally witnessed the steadfastness, compassion, resourcefulness, and intelligence of my Texas … Continue reading →

Posted in #Texas Strong, #VISD, Collaboration, News, Professional Development, Student Connections | Comments Off on #Texas Strong

New Beginnings…

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Toby Karten

What I miss most about not being exclusively attached to one school building- is-yes you guessed it-the students.  New slates, like that fresh box of Crayolas with the sharpener of course(ok-I am dating myself), allow educators to engage with a rainbow of … Continue reading →

Posted in Being a Teacher, diversity | Comments Off on New Beginnings…

Developing Effective Learners

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Toby Karten

Developing Effective Learners: RTI Strategies for Student Success Toby J. Karten Designs, minds, muscles, flowers, ideas, strength, countries, strategies, and plans develop. An artist learns to rework a sketch, a mind is strengthened with engaging instruction, a weak muscle is exercised, … Continue reading →

Posted in Being a Teacher, Inclusion Strategies, multi-tiered systems of support, RTI, Student Connections, Successes of Students with Disabilities | Comments Off on Developing Effective Learners

Vic’s Teacher-Then, Now & Forever

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Toby Karten

Toby Karten, Vic’s Teacher-Then, Now & Forever Being a student’s teacher has no finish line. It doesn’t start in the beginning of the school year in August or September and end at the close of the term in May or … Continue reading →

Posted in Being a Teacher, Full inclusion, Student Connections | Comments Off on Vic’s Teacher-Then, Now & Forever

Navigating the Core Curriculum: RTI Strategies to Support Every Learner

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Toby Karten

Diminishing Barriers to Learning Sneakers, planes, rockets, and boats. Getting from place to place happens with a structured itinerary, whether one is on foot, in the air, in space, or on water. Education, like navigation embraces the planning, collaboration, and … Continue reading →

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A Sage & Inclusive Video

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Toby Karten

I was honored to be interviewed by Sage Video to offer inclusive insights.  As a collective group of professionals, families, students, and communities, we need to propagate, catapult, and monitor the infusion and progression of the skills and knowledge for … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Ideas, disABILITY Awareness, diversity, Full inclusion, Inclusion Collaboration, Inclusion Strategies, Special Education, The Inclusioner | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on A Sage & Inclusive Video

Learning & smiling is nonnegotiable:-)

Posted on July 12, 2015 by Toby Karten

Life is filled with many surprises as we continually blow out one more candle and, sometimes not by choice, a tire as well. One thing I have learned in almost 60 years of candles is that we can only control, … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on Learning & smiling is nonnegotiable:-)