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

Tips for setting paraprofessional expectations - where does a special educator begin? The great news is that you don't need to start from scratch! In this episode, you'll learn exactly what you'll want to make sure is included and the best tips for communicating roles and expectations with support staff in the special education setting. Be sure to hop over and check out the blog pos...

Special Educators, do you struggle balancing IEP goals and general education requirements? How do you find time for all the testing accommodations? This is an area I found difficult and I was always reflecting on how I can keep the focus where it belongs - on students!  In this episode of Special Educators Resource Room, I'm sharing exactly what daily instruction looked like in the resource r...

Mindfulness in the Classroom - Is it the missing ingredient to behavior management? In this episode, learn why adding mindfulness strategies could have a dramatic positive impact on your classroom and enhance any incentive, behavior plan, and system you may already have in place. Be sure to click over to the blog post show notes to see practical suggestions and real-life examples of incorporating...

Welcome to your next IEP Meeting - led by your students!  It's time to amplify ALL students' voices. This episode gives you a behind the scenes look at preparing even our youngest students to become active participants in IEP meetings and take control of their educational goals. Be sure to check out the blogpost: Student Led IEP Meetings for more actionable steps and preparation ideas to...

Google Forms can be an amazing tool for special educators! Digital data collection makes it easy to collect, analyze, and collaborate important information.  This episode dives into all the pros (and cons) to using digital Google Forms as part of your busy role as a special educator. Be sure to follow the links to get started! Free Google Forms - inside the Special Educators Resource Room Facebook...

Special Educators - you're invited! Join the free Task Box Taylor-Made Challenge that starts soon! This BONUS podcast episode has all the details about the upcoming free event for busy teachers interested in independent work systems.  Follow this link to sign up for free and not miss a thing! https://positivelylearningblog.com/where-teaching-meets-taylor-the-ultimate-task-box-tour-experience/...

Hey Special Educators! We're keeping it real about working with paraprofessionals. This new episode breaks down the essentials of building a solid team with your classroom's unsung heroes. You'll get straight-to-the-point advice on setting clear expectations, empowering  paras and support staff, and maintaining open communication. Ready to ditch the micromanaging and boost your clas...

Happy New Year! Do you make resolutions and set new goals each year? This episode is NOT about resolutions, but instead about choosing one little word to guide you through the new year. Listen to my word and how I'll be using it - feel free to borrow it OR choose your own from the many suggestions in this episode! Be sure to hop over to the blogpost for more new year inspiration and ideas: ht...

Special education isolation is real - have you ever felt stranded on an island? Maybe it's all PDs you're sitting through or maybe it's the weekly PLC meetings - have you ever wondered "None of this aligns with what my students need!" This podcast episode shares the value of an education community and extends an invitiation to get off the island of isolation! Please consid...

A new I.E.P. just dropped on your teacher desk! Now what? This episode walks through the exact 3 steps I took as a special educator. Not only will these steps help you internalize all the important information and understand the IEP goals and objectives, they will also save you time when it comes to quarterly IEP Report Cards.  Important links from Special Educators Resource Room Episode 53: Googl...

Special educators - it's time to celebrate! We are wrapping up a long year AND 52 episodes of the Special Educators Resource Room. Thank you for your support all year long! This podcast episode is full of helpful links just for you! Be sure to click and bookmark so you can come back and grab the special education goodies when you're ready. Special Educators To Do List - this is the type...

Calling all BUSY special education teachers! If the idea of setting up a task box independent work system sounds overwhelming - this episode is for YOU! Learn the FOUR things you need and exactly how to set up a task box system for students of all ages. When I say "less is more" throughout this episode - I really mean it! Keep the momentum going - you can do this! Starting a Task Box Sys...

Keeping classroom routines during the holiday season does NOT mean you can't celebrate with your students. This episode is packed with ideas to find the balance between enjoying special times and sensory overload. Check out this "craft" printable bundle that will help all students participate in themes and fun: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Easy-Crafts-for-Special-Educ...

What is a Behavior Toolkit and why do you need one? This new podcast episode is just for your special educators! Learn exactly what needs to go into your behavior toolkit and how it will be a huge help for your own classroom, as well as a resource for your school. Ready to see the toolkit in action? Check it out the Behavior Toolkit here: https://positivelylearningblog.com/behavior-toolkit-for-tea...

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 the classroom. Grab your FREE Special Educators Chea...

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 the classroom. Grab your FREE Special Educators Chea...

This important podcast episode starts with a big apology to all paraprofessionals. If you're a special educator who supports staff in the classroom, this is a MUST-LISTEN episode!  Links 🔗 mentioned in the episode: Positive Paraprofessional Partnerships  - Positively Learning Blog Special Educators Resource Room Podcast Episode 3 If you're a busy special education teacher looking for ti...

IEP Progress Reports are a BIG to-do every quarter, but there are some tips to make it run smoothly! The best news about these time-saving ideas is that it just gets better - every quarter you'll get faster with this streamlined system! Check out this blogpost for all the IEP Progress Reports ideas in one place and be sure to check out the report card comment bank: https://positivelylearningb...

Small groups are a part of every special educator's schedule, but what do you do when every student in your group seems to need something completely different? Maybe it's accommodations, goals, levels... how do you meet a variety of needs all at the SAME time? In this episode, you'll learn about teaching "Groups Within Groups" - an effective strategy for planning and teach...

Special Educators, does a sub arrive in your classroom when you're at a meeting or not at school? This episode has some ideas for creating sub plans, BUT the real tips are for when there's NO sub! Listen in to learn more about creating a structured sub plan even when there's no sub. So important because YOU deserve your days off! Interested in more done-for-you lesson plans for when...

Special educators, if you're drowning in prepping student resources, THIS episode offers time-saving solutions! Learn about the six ways to get the most out of student task box materials and more ways to cut down on your prep time. No need to take notes - find more task box tips here: https://positivelylearningblog.com/ultimate-guide-to-task-boxes/ If you're a busy special education teac...

Task Boxes make it easy to differentiate and match students with the skills they need. This podcast dives deeper into some easy-to-implement ideas you can start incorporating TODAY to effectively build student independence.   Listen to these tips and when you're ready, download the free task box idea list here: https://positivelylearningblog.com/101-task-box-ideas/ If you're a busy speci...

Special Educators, are you ready for more? How many of these myths have you heard? We know it happens and this podcast episode is designed to arm you with knowledge and talking points to BUST these myths. Let me know what you think about CoTeaching Inclusion Myths 6-10 and be sure to check out Episode 39 for #1-5! Here's a link to a Co-Teaching blogpost designed to support you and help get ev...

Are you a special educator teaching in an inclusion classroom? Feeling unsure about coteaching? This episode busts some very common myths about collaboration between general educators and special education teachers who are working together to support students. Tune in for support and practical tips for making the most of coteaching! Be sure to subscribe - Part 2 is coming up next! In the meantime,...

How to fit data collection into our everyday instruction - this final episode in the series tackles using technology. NOT a new platform that you'll have to find time to learn, but instead utilizing the technology your students are already using for instruction and practice.  Listen in to gather insight on how you can use student technology to grab a quick data point for progress monitoring! ...