Welcome to Peace, Love, & Special Education

Hello and welcome!

My name is Shanon, and I am so excited to be starting this new chapter and sharing it with you. This year marks my 14th year in education, and I couldn't be more excited about the journey ahead.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of teaching in a variety of general education and special education settings, including K-5 Title I reading and math, 3rd grade inclusion homeroom, self-contained special needs preschool, K-3rd resource, K-3rd co-teaching. Each experience has shaped me into the teacher I am today and reinforced my belief that every child is capable of learning, growing, and achieving success when given the support they need.

This school year brings a new adventure as I return to a self-contained classroom serving students with Moderate/Severe Intellectual Disabilities in grades K–5. As I prepare to build this classroom from the ground up, I am filled with excitement, anticipation, and maybe just a few nerves. There is so much to do, but I can't wait to create a space where my students feel safe, valued, challenged, and celebrated.

Over the years, both as a teacher and as a special education department lead, I have learned the value of collaboration, sharing ideas, and celebrating student successes. Some of the best teaching strategies I've discovered have come from connecting with other educators, learning from their experiences, and supporting one another along the way.

So why start a blog?

For years, I have wanted a place to share ideas, resources, classroom moments, and the everyday victories that make special education so meaningful. Sometimes the biggest accomplishments aren't the ones that make headlines. Sometimes they're a student independently communicating a need, completing a task for the first time, mastering a life skill, making a new friend, or simply believing in themselves enough to try something new.

Those are the moments worth celebrating.

Through this blog, I hope to share teaching tips, classroom resources, lesson ideas, organization strategies, and glimpses into life in a special education classroom. Most importantly, I hope to highlight the incredible strengths, determination, and growth of my students while always respecting their privacy and dignity.

The name Peace, Love, & Special Education reflects what I believe teaching is all about. Peace means creating a classroom where students feel safe and accepted. Love means building relationships and believing in every child. Special Education means recognizing that every learner is unique and deserves opportunities to succeed.

My philosophy is simple: progress is worth celebrating, every student deserves to shine, and learning should be filled with encouragement, patience, joy, and love.

Whether you're a teacher, parent, paraprofessional, student, or simply someone interested in special education, I'm glad you're here.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to sharing the adventures, challenges, successes, and special moments that lie ahead.