What It's Like To Be... with Dan Heath A Special Ed Teacher
13 snips
Sep 22, 2026 
Sierra Patrick, a South Carolina special education teacher, works with high-school students with significant intellectual disabilities. She shares the art of communication beyond speech, surprising breakthroughs, emotional regulation, and meeting students with empathy. Hear about classroom chaos, a student-run cookie business, community outings, and the uncertain transition to adulthood.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Prank Calls Build Communication Skills
- Sierra Patrick uses Friday prank calls to help students practice phone communication and turn-taking.
- Students memorize jokes like “Is your refrigerator running?” then celebrate delivering the punchline together.
Non-Speaking Does Not Mean Non-Understanding
- Self-contained classrooms serve students with widely different diagnoses, abilities, and communication methods.
- AAC devices let nonspeaking students answer lessons with picture symbols, proving non-speaking does not mean non-listening.
Small Milestones Become Major Breakthroughs
- Sierra Patrick may teach the same student from age 14 through 21, witnessing gradual independence.
- One student progressed from drinking through a straw to opening a milk carton and proudly waiting for applause.
