Special Education for Beginners | Managing Paraprofessionals, Special Education Strategies, First Year Sped Teachers, Special Ed Overwhelm, Paperwork for Special Education Teachers

In this episode of Special Education for Beginners , Jennifer shares 15 gift ideas to help you show appreciation to your paraprofessionals and support staff this holiday season. From completely free options to more personalized gifts, this episode has something for every budget. Tune in to discover thoughtful and practical ways to make your team feel valued and supported. What You’ll Learn in This...

Welcome back to Special Education for Beginners ! Today’s episode is a special one as we close out our beloved "Ask Us Anything" series with my incredible co-host, Paul. After two amazing years of working together, including 11 months of answering your burning questions about special education, Paul and I are wrapping up this chapter of the podcast. We’ve tackled everything from scheduli...

In the final part of our three-part series on administering achievement tests, we’re focusing on how to present results confidently in IEP meetings. Sharing test results can feel intimidating, but with the right strategies, you can turn these meetings into meaningful, collaborative discussions. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to present your report as a conversation rather than simply reading t...

In this episode of Special Education for Beginners , we continue our three-part series on administering achievement tests by focusing on how to write professional, comprehensive reports based on the data you’ve collected. Writing a well-organized report isn’t just a formality—it’s a critical step in the evaluation process that guides decision-making and sets the foundation for collaboration with y...

In this episode, we kick off a 3-part series on how to administer, report on and present achievement tests professionally. Today, we focus on setting up for test administration . I’ll walk you through the specific steps to create a structured, distraction-free environment that allows students to focus and perform at their best. I’ll also share practical advice on monitoring student behavior during...

In this episode of Special Education for Beginners Jennifer is joined by her co-host Paul to discuss the essential topics of de-escalation in the special education classroom and incorporating assistive technology into IEPs. Learn about how to handle extreme challenges educators face when students become overwhelmed and practical de-escalation strategies that you can implement today.   "How do...

In this episode, Caroline Koehler from Celavora Education and Sped Up Paperwork joins me to discuss the ever-pressing issue of paperwork in special education. Listen in as we share effective strategies and tools designed to help special educators manage your documentation more efficiently. This discussion is essential for anyone looking to reduce the administrative burden and focus more on teachin...

In today’s episode of Special Education for Beginners , I share an inspiring conversation I recently had with a new special education teacher, Emily, who demonstrated an incredible capacity for resilience and optimism in the face of a challenging situation. When Emily was unexpectedly assigned a new student with complex needs, she chose to embrace the challenge with positivity and grace rather tha...

On today's segment of Ask Us Anything with my co-host, Paul Hubbard we answer two common challenges faced by special education teachers: handling difficult parents and figuring out how often to progress monitor students. How do you deal with difficult parents? Jennifer and Paul both emphasize the importance of building strong relationships with parents and maintaining professionalism during t...

As special educators, we often find ourselves navigating challenging interactions. Whether with colleagues, parents, or administrators, conflict is bound to rear its ugly head at some point. In this episode, we explore 3 practical strategies to handle these situations constructively, fostering an environment of collaboration and respect. Discussion: Embrace Conflict as an Opportunity: Understand c...

Welcome back to Special Education for Beginners ! In today’s episode, Jennifer draws a fun and insightful parallel between writing an Individualized Education Plan and solving a detective case. Just like detectives use boards with pushpins and strings to connect clues and evidence, special education teachers need to ensure that every part of an IEP is linked seamlessly to the next. From present le...

Today we're talking about a crucial element that can really make or break the success of our students—supporting their parents. These parents are juggling so much—all while trying to figure out how to best support their child at home.  In this episode, I’ll be sharing practical tips on how to foster better relationships with your parents. Plus, I’ll introduce a powerful resource I’ve created...

Welcome back, special educators! Are you feeling the pressure of scheduling chaos as the school year kicks off? Or perhaps you're facing challenges with paraprofessionals not following their schedules? We've got you covered in this Ask Us Anything episode!  In this episode, my co-host, Paul Hubbard, and I dive into two common back-to-school struggles: Mastering the Art of Scheduling in S...

In this episode of Special Education for Beginners , Jennifer discusses the vital role of mindset in the life of a special education teacher. This isn’t just another pep talk about staying positive—Jennifer tackles the real, sometimes overwhelming challenges that come with the job and shares how adopting the right mindset can make all the difference. From embracing the new school year as a fresh s...

Welcome back to another episode of Special Education for Beginners . As we start thinking about the back-to-school season, I thought it would be good to get our mindset right and give you some strategies to get you started off on the right foot! Today’s guest is Angela Rivas from The Sped Tech Teacher and she is here to share some valuable advice to help you thrive in your role as a special educat...

Today we're focusing on setting up the perfect autism classroom and we're joined by SB Linton, an experienced autism educational specialist, who will share invaluable insights and practical steps to help you create a supportive and efficient learning environment. Listen in as we explore the 12 things you need to know before setting up an autism classroom. You need to know about autism Kn...

Welcome to the August segment of Ask Us Anything! In these fun episodes of the Special Education for Beginners podcast, Jennifer and her monthly co-host, Paul, answer the questions you ask. This episode is packed with practical wisdom and tips to help you handle the challenges of the special education classroom. Today's Questions: Maggie from Michigan: "What elements do I need to make su...

Today, we are diving into a critical topic that often goes unspoken: setting the stage for a successful school day right from the start. Mornings can be particularly challenging for many students, especially those who arrive at school unregulated due to various external factors such as tough mornings at home, stressful commutes, or sibling conflicts. As educators, it is our duty to create positive...

Today, we are thrilled to have Jenn Adams return to the show. In this episode, Jen and I focus to one of my favorite topics: working effectively with paraprofessionals. We dive deep into strategies for building strong teams, defining roles clearly, and ensuring every team member is on the same page to maximize classroom dynamics and student success. Key Discussion Points: Understanding Paraprofess...

Today's episode is all about progress monitoring—a foundational element in special education that ensures each student's unique educational journey is effectively supported. Whether you're new to this field or looking to refine your current strategies, understanding how to implement a solid progress monitoring system is crucial.  Talking Points: Understanding Progress Monitoring Def...

Welcome back to another insightful episode of "Special Education for Beginners"! Today, we're thrilled to host Abby from Mrs. Moe's Modifications. After much anticipation since 2021, we've finally connected to explore her extensive experience in behavior management within special education. Abby will share her revolutionary behavior roadmap and practical tips for effective...

Welcome to the July segment of Ask Us Anything! In these fun episodes of the Special Education for Beginners podcast, Jennifer and her monthly co-host, Paul, answer the questions you ask. This episode is packed with practical wisdom and tips to help you handle the challenges of the special education classroom. Today's Questions: Katie from Florida: "I am a brand new teacher starting this...

Welcome to a thought-provoking episode of the Sped Prep Academy Podcast, where we are joined once again by Jenny Walmsley, a seasoned special education teacher turned behavior coach. With her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis and as the founder of Braving BSEL, Jenny brings a wealth of knowledge in supporting the behavioral, social, and emotional learning of both students and educators. In toda...

In today's episode, Jennifer shares her personal journey with organization (or lack there of) and the challenges she faced throughout her career, and introduces a transformative tool for special educators—the Special Education Caseload and IEP Planner. Key Points: The Importance of Organization: Jennifer discusses the overwhelming nature of a special educator's daily tasks, from writing...

If "No Concerns" is still making its way into your IEP sections as a standalone remark, this episode is your call to action to enhance your PLAAFP (Present Levels of Academic and Functional Performance) writing practices. The PLAAFP section is not just the foundation of the IEP; it’s the blueprint that guides every aspect of a student's educational plan.  In this episode (recap of e...