A Practical Guide for Special Education Resource Rooms and Inclusive Classrooms
Academic Seminar should never be “just a study hall.” At its best, it is a structured, intentional space where students with disabilities build executive functioning skills, grow in confidence, and achieve independence. Too often, however, it is left undefined—an open period without clear goals or consistent systems.
As a special education teacher who turned a chaotic Resource Room into a launchpad for student success, Dr. Ryan Wydra reimagines what Academic Seminar can be. In Teaching Academic Seminar with Purpose, he provides educators with a clear framework for transforming Resource Rooms and inclusive classrooms into powerful spaces for growth.
Drawing on years of classroom experience, research, and collaboration, Dr. Wydra offers more than theory. Inside, you’ll find:
• Step-by-step routines and schedules to bring structure and clarity.
• Practical strategies for teaching organization, time management, and study skills.
• Tools for aligning instruction with IEP goals and monitoring progress.
• Approaches to assessment preparation, remediation, and re-teaching.
• Guidance for partnering with families and collaborating with colleagues.
More than an instructional guide, this book is a call to action: to see Academic Seminar as a place where students are not just supported, but equipped to thrive—in school and beyond.
Whether you’re a special education teacher, administrator, or general education partner, Teaching Academic Seminar with Purpose will give you the tools, confidence, and inspiration to turn potential into achievement.
