Special Educators Resource Room Podcast: Real Talk for Special Education Teachers

What's on your Amazon wishlist for back to school? In this episode I'm sharing some ideas for your classroom and the items I always made sure were at the top of our lists! Want more recommendations? Be sure to check out these links: Special Educators This or That - Listen to Ep 22 Positively Learning on Amazon If you're a busy special education teacher looking for tips, tricks, and...

Are you considering using task boxes as part of an independent work system? This episode features your questions (with answers!) to help you get started. Thank you for these questions - they are from a live professional development training all about task boxes. If you're interested in attending the next live training, here's the link: Free Training Saturday Aug 3rd at 9:15 EST: https://...

Task Boxes are a game-changer for independent work systems! In this episode, I'm answering your questions about setting up your student resources for success. Here are the helpful links from this episode: Free Task Box Training: https://webinarkit.com/webinar/registration/668d9f12140d48dc81fa5005 Task Boxes Teaching Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3661396617514225 Task Box Dol...

IEP Meetings - What do you need before, during, and after? This quick podcast episode provides you with the facts plus time-saving tips! Click here to see a list of what every special educator needs in their go-to IEP Binder:  https://positivelylearningblog.com/iep-time-savers-for-special-educators/ Ready to set up an independent work system that really works? Grab your seat for this FREE teacher...

Are you overwhelmed by the countless paperwork tasks that come with being a special educator? In this episode, we're breaking down exactly what you need to find quickly - all those daily tasks that really add up IF you're not as organized as you'd like to be! Click here for a list of everything mentioned in this episode of Special Educators Resource Room: https://positivelylearningb...

This is a no-fluff episode for special educators looking for help with data collection! Learn about the exact data tracking forms you really need to have (and which are nice to have after that). Find all the data collection forms you need in one place here: Data Collection Tips for Special Educators Need help choosing between digital or paper-based data tracking? Listen to Episode 2 here If you&ap...

Special Educators, wouldn't it be nice if there's was a printed to do list that told us exactly how to support paraprofessionals and handle tricky situations? I'd love a list like that! This podcast episode kicks off a new special education mini series informally titled "Exactly What You Need to Do!"   This first episode in the series is exactly what you need to support pa...

Special Educators, have you found the perfect curriculum that has everything included to meet your students' needs? Should you even be using a special education curriculum that's separate from general education? These questions and more are answered in this episode of the Special Educators Resource Room! Learn more about balancing student IEP goals and objectives with accessing the gener...

Special Educators, if professional development is on your summer to do list, this episode is for YOU! I'm sharing my top two tips for making the most of summer learning so you'll be ready to thrive in the new school year.  Links mentioned in this episode: Ep 31 -Unlock Free Professional Development for Special Educators  The Primary Gal - Summer Book Study and Workshops Kindergarten Beha...

Classroom set-up, behavior systems... what should a special educator be focusing on during summer break? This podcast episode is full of ideas and they don't require you working all summer during your well-deserved break.  Learn about setting up flexible frameworks - a.k.a. "Skeleton Systems" that will serve you when you return to school in after a long refreshing summer break!  If...

End of Year award ceremonies may not rank high on your favorites list, but there are a few things we can do to make it easier on all of our students. Check out these creative ideas for special educators!   Need a quick set of special education certificates that highlight character education? Here's 50 editable certificates you can print and award today:   https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/P...

End of year tips for supporting students and YOU!  If you're a busy special education teacher looking for tips, tricks, and resources to save you precious time, I've got you covered! I'm here to help you regain your confidence in the classroom and feel calm and collected as a special educator. Tune in every Friday for practical tips, tools, and the support you need to to THRIVE in t...

Your students need more sensory input throughout the day, but how do you fit it in with all of the other IEP goals and objectives you're focused on? In Episode 75 of Special Educators Resource Room, you'll learn how I conquered this exact situation. Sensory Bins ended up being the answer to provide a developmentally appropriate sensory experience AND stay focused on our goals. Learn how...

Working with especially active students? Here's some tips to incorporate more kinesthetic movement activities into your everyday learning, For more teaching tips and creative ideas, check out these special education topics: https://positivelylearningblog.com/what-to-do-with-wiggly-students/ https://positivelylearningblog.com/classroom-movement-games/ Red Light, Green Light Literacy Games If y...

You want to pull small groups, but can't imagine your students working independently for any amount of time? This episode is FULL of ideas for supporting students AND getting your time back. Learn about the main components of independent work systems and what you need to start setting up your classroom today! Special Promotion: 🎉 Don't miss this special offer! Join the Task Box Dollar C...

Tune in for simple teacher tips to help young students. improve their fine motor skills during a busy school day in special education settings. You'll learn how to make these activities part of your regular classroom routine without needing extra time. This ensures that all students, even those who might not qualify for occupational therapy, get the help they need to develop skills that are i...

Social Emotional Learning has a BIG impact on classroom community, but how do you fit it into an already jam-packed school day? I'm sharing 3 practical tips for adding SEL to your classroom WITHOUT disrupting the routine. Try this ideas with your own students!  Links mentioned in this episode of Special Educators Resource Room: Restorative Practice Read Aloud Suggestions: https://positivelyle...

Welcome to "Backward Planning 101: A Special Educator’s Secret Weapon." In this episode, we're diving into how backward planning can transform your teaching and boost student success in the special education setting. It's all about starting with your end goal and designing each lesson to achieve those outcomes, ensuring that every minute in the classroom counts. In this episode...

Happy Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! This episode is full of advice on how we can express appreciation for support staff in the special education setting anytime of year. Be sure to listen to Episode 15 and download the free Paraprofessional Appreciation Sticky Notes for a quick token of appreciation: The Best Paraprofessional Appreciation Ideas (that are free or mostly free!) Still navigating...

If you're struggling with coteaching or maybe feeling nervous about getting along with coteachers, this special podcast episode is for you! This is Part 2 of the CoTeacher Conversations. Be sure to check out Part 1 - Special Educators Resource Room Episode 67.   Not sure what to say  - especially when having difficult conversations at school? Here's the help guide every special educator...

Co-Teacher Conversations Part One - Navigating Tricky Coteaching Partnerships What do you do when coteaching isn't working out? In this episode, I'm sharing the reality of coteaching and tips to get through less than stellar inclusion teaching scenarios.   For more information on improving communication and the coteaching relationship in the inclusion classroom setting, check out this sp...

As special educators, we are often on the lookout for supplemental resources to support struggling students. There are so many choices out there,  but if you've ever looked you already know that not all educational materials are created equal. Learn more about finding "just right" resources for your students: https://positivelylearningblog.com/choosing-supplementary-resources-in-spe...

No matter how long we've been in education, there are still new things to learn! Recently I had the opportunity to learn from a podcast by someone I greatly admire. You can check out Dr. Christine Reeve's podcast here: Autism Classroom Resources: https://autismclassroomresources.com/podcasts/ In February 2024, Dr. Reeve did an entire podcast series on independent work systems and there&a...

Should we use a break pass system as a behavior strategy? In this episode, I share my classroom struggles with elopement and what we tried (and tried) to implement. This is a honest look at utilizing different behavior tools to support student learning. If you're ready to tackle student behavior and think a break system is the ticket, check out this ready-to-go classroom resource: https://www...

Special Educators, let's get nosy! Sometimes the very best professional development comes from each other, not workshops or textbooks. In this episode, learn more about what other special educators are talking about and using in their classrooms. Want to keep learning from each other? Be sure to join the Special Educators Resource Room Facebook community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/...