Why games engage students with special needs

The pandemic created challenges for all educators this school year, but special education teachers had to adapt unique plans for every student. 

Special educator and STEM coach, Sean Arnold, has been working with students with moderate-to-severe disabilities in New York City’s District 75 for 15 years. He’s a strong proponent of using games and play to motivate his students. 

The students in Arnold’s district, many living with intense special needs or who are medically fragile, were at the center of the pandemic. He talks to Classcraft about the challenges of teaching through trauma, caring for social experiences, and making emotional connections. He also shares his tips for moving from emergency teaching to effective teaching. 

Listen in to this fascinating conversation:

Sean was among the thought leaders and innovators featured at The Great Exchange Student Engagement Summit in 2020. Hosted by Classcraft and Google, you can access all the content from this virtual event here.