The search for college scholarships can be daunting. Here's what parents need to know to search for and apply to the ones that are mostly likely to offer merit aid.

12 Websites that pay $20/hour to Students, perfect for college students to make money for College online and from home with these websites!

Think elementary and middle school is too young to apply for scholarships?! Not so fast! Here are scholarships for students 14 years old & younger.

This clever college scholarship essay tip from the Scholarship Mom will WOW the judges and increase students' chances to win more for school!

Think elementary and middle school is too young to apply for scholarships?! Not so fast! Here are scholarships for students 14 years old & younger.

We all think about a 529 plan for college savings, but is it the best option? What about an ESA or Roth IRA? This post looks at the 529 vs ESA vs Roth IRA.

E-books for pediatric therapists. This list of e-books are easy to read, full of intervention ideas and a great resource for therapists and parents!

I graduated from college with over $20,000 in student loan debt. I have learned so many secrets about scholarships now that I wish I knew 10 years ago ( I can't believe it's been that long!). I could have entered adulthood without all of that debt hanging over my head! This post contains affiliate links.

Choosing a college that’s the right fit for you isn’t always easy. But these 10 tips will help you determine which college is the right fit for you.

This bag is packed with scaffolded data analyzing student sheet for students to use once they can view their PSAT 10/NMSQT score. This scaffolding student sheet helps students interpret and analyze their PSAT 10/NMSQT testing experience. This is a great resource for any class or test prep session.

College tours can be great for information gathering, as long as take full advantage of them. Not sure how to get started? Here are some tips.

Do college scholarships for kids under 13 and middle school students actually exist? YES! Find 20+ scholarships for young students right here.

Learn how to set yearlong plans, plan for a unit and daily topics, and create lessons plans.

Learn when you can start using the Common App, what you will need, how to start and complete it, if you can get a fee waiver, and get tips and strategies, etc.

A scholarship binder is a quick-reference guide for students to help them organize all of their applications and scholarship materials.

The ultimate Amazon guide for speech therapy and special education – these lists are consonantly updated! Includes Amazon tips and tricks!

Trying to choose a college is a daunting task. Here's how to create the ultimate college comparison spreadsheet to make the college selection process easier.

How to pack for college. Follow these 6 college packing tips for a stress -free dorm move-in day. College packing supplies and tips.

College scholarships for sophomores in high school are out there! Use this list to find more awards and win more money for school.

Middle school is the best time to start applying for scholarships! Whether your kid loves fashion, zombies, or the ocean, there are opportunities for all.

What do you need to do at a college visit? Plan using these tips for a college tour visit & my experience sending two children to college.

Choosing a college is usually largely about the numbers (such as tuition, student enrollment, and financial aid). But gut feelings about whether the school is the right fit are also a vital part of the decision process. Use this worksheet to take

As teachers, one of our greatest resources can be the parents of the students we work with. It takes time and effort to foster strong relationships with parents, but it is often more than worth it in the end. I've worked with parents that are ready to jump right in and become a partner right away and others that needed more coaxing. There are several things you can do to create a welcoming environment that produces parent allies or even parent partners. This list is going to contain things I have done in my classroom, things my friends have shared with me, and things that I have thought about implementing when I get back into the classroom after my parental leave is over. Do not feel the pressure to do all of these things at the same time. You know your classroom and the parents you're working with best. You want to include them without overwhelming them. Do what feels right to you! Reach Out Right Away The easiest was to open a positive dialogue is to send a letter home before school even starts. Include something in the envelope for the student and something for the parents to introduce yourself. Give them your contact information and when you're available to take phone calls. Something I have not done, but I will consider doing in the future is including a photograph of myself and any other adult working in the classroom. My daughter's teachers did this and it lessened a lot of her anxiety as she prepared for the new school year. Teach Them About the Programs Often times, our parents have been out of the classroom as a student for years and have never been in the classroom as a teacher. Some of the programming may be confusing or overwhelming. I like to share which reading and math programs we will be using, along with any websites that may be helpful for them to use at home. Another thing I like to share with the parents I am working with is some information about the special education program their child is in. I created a Parent's Guide to Co-teaching that has been very helpful and well-received. If you're co-teaching, I encourage you to check it out! Accept Help When it is Offered How many times has a parent offered to help you and you politely declined? I know that sometimes it feels like it can be more work to find something for them to do, but often times the parents are literally willing to do anything to help! At the beginning of the year, create a list of things that you would be willing to hand off to a helpful parent, should they ask. Some of the help I have accepted (and offered as a parent) are running centers during rotations, organizing the classroom library, making copies, making play-dough, cutting out lamination pieces, and creating bulletin boards. Regular Communication Regular and expected communication is so important. Whether you send home a communication log, behavior charts, or newsletters, it is important to be consistent. When you have consistent positive communication, it will be easier to approach a parent about any issues that may arise. For some of my less verbal students, that means a daily communication log. I found that a lot of parents felt that the book was mine and they didn't feel comfortable writing in it so I created a printable version that I love! Not only does it encourage the parents to write in it every day, I can easily check off information and add in details as needed. Having a layout to write in saves me a lot of time when I have multiple logs to fill out at the end of the day. Newsletters are also great for communication! I know that as a parent, I love knowing what is going on in the classroom. I like to include a lot of photographs in my newsletters so that it makes the families I work with feel like they are a part of the classroom. Encourage Questions Welcome questions! Most of the time, when a parents is questioning something that you're doing in the classroom, they are honestly wondering the reasoning or research behind it. They want to know more so they can understand what is working and not working for their child. Take the time to answer their questions and alleviate their concerns. Make yourself approachable! Put Your Listening Ears On Do you know what goals the parents in your classroom have for their children? Are you aware of their short term and long term concerns? You may be the expert in education, but they are the expert in their child. They are a valuable resource and you will learn so much if you just listen. Before special education meetings, I like to ask for parental input. You can either call or ask on paper. I like to send home an IEP Parent Input sheet a few weeks before a meeting which gives the families enough time to really think about any questions, concerns, or goals they have. Do Not Judge or Take Offense Every family situation is different. Do not be judgmental if something is going on at home that you do not agree with, such as a child being allowed to stay up until midnight on a school night. You do not know the reasoning behind that decision or the parent may not know that is difficult for their child to focus after those late nights. Present your concern. Listen to the parent. Offer suggestions if opportunity arrises. Just like you, they are more likely to share their difficulties when they are confident they will not be judged. Do not take things personally. You are working with humans and sometimes it can become stressful for everybody involved. Sometimes harsh words are thrown in your direction. Do not take critiques or negative words personally. Take a deep breath and move on. Don't forget, that you are the professional. Of course, sometimes the negative comments can get out of hand. In this case, ask another teacher or an administrator to sit in on any contact you have with that parent to protect yourself. You can read more about how I handle difficult meetings in this blog post. Share Data Teachers are not the only ones that like data! When you do an assessment, send it home. If you are progress monitoring, keep the parents informed on how things are going. I have checklists upon checklists that are helpful in these situations. The parents you work with will thank you for the constant educational updates! I am always looking for more ways to involve parents in my classroom! I would love to hear what else you do to encourage parent involvement!

Create a colorful parent flip book for classroom parents in the fall with this FREE free flip book template. It's perfect for back to school!

So it's time to get serious about the college search? Here are some questions to ask on a college visit and what you should do while there.

When you consistently enforce classroom management plan for every time a student breaks a rule, your bound to get an occasional complaint from a parent who just doesn't like the idea of their child being held accountable. Here's how to handle it.

If your teen has an IEP or a 504 plan, will those accommodations be available in college? An expert explains.

College Visit Checklist: Over 30 college visit questions to answer on this college visit checklist form. Have a great college tour with a college tour checklist.

Here's how to use the summer before college to help your child get ready for school and sneak in some bonding time for the two of you as well.

Answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding getting your student help and accommodations in college, plus how to go about getting accommodations in place, and why you should put a plan in place, even if you think you won't need it.

Finally! A one page resource to provide an organized overview of SAT/ACT test prep and registration. Whether you are a high school student, school counselor, teacher, parent, or anyone else who is supporting an 11th or 12th grade student through registering for, preparing for and taking college admissions testing - this planner is for you! This includes a brief timeline of junior/senior year (pertaining to test prep and registration) as well as tools to create goals and a customized study plan. Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

This Autism Scholarship for college is open to students and their families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Check it out now!

As any college student or parent will tell you, buying textbooks for school is a huge pain. However, saving money and shopping around shouldn't be much of a problem if you know where to go. Here's a list of the top sites for affordable textbooks.

In college, the only thing more intimidating than an advising appointment is a job interview. Show up to those nerve-wracking advisor meetings with a plan.

From protecting your possessions to protecting yourself from rape, campus safety is important. Prevent campus crime with these college student safety tips.

How to Complete Your FAFSA: FAFSA Checklist and instructions for how to fill out your FAFSA including how to obtain a printable FAFSA Form.

Want to help your teenager choose a career path? Here are 12 smart ways to help your teenager career plan without adding more to their busy schedule!

Have you used the Remind app yet in your classroom? I was hesitant, but now I WILL NEVER GO BACK! Being able to keep parents informed and schedule texts all through an app on my phone has made a world of difference for me this year with parent communication. Using the Remind app along with …

Are you worried that your teen isn’t ready to live on her own? Here are some life skills every teenager should know before they leave the nest.

The Harding's switched their ten advanced learners to homeschooling, and have since sent 7 of their children to college by the age of 12!

Dive into the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss with our free lesson plans, activities, and printables. Ideal for both teachers and parents, our resources provide engaging ways to learn and have fun. Visit now!