Teach, Task Box, Inspire: The Podcast (A Show for Special Educators)

In this episode, we dive into how engagement can transform student learning and behavior in the classroom. By using high-interest topics, task boxes, movement, and real-world connections, we can help spark excitement and keep students focused. You'll walk away with practical strategies and real-life examples to create a lively and engaged classroom environment. Resources Mentioned: Free training:...

In this insightful episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, host Lisa Hollady welcomes Amanda Matsumoto, a high school speech and language pathologist with a caseload of over 60 students. Amanda brings a wealth of experience from her work in ABA therapy, outpatient facilities, and as a head softball coach. She shares her expertise on fostering meaningful connections with students and the impactful role...

In this milestone episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, host Lisa Hollady welcomes her first-ever guest, Kelsey Baughman, an experienced special education teacher with eight years of expertise in a school where all students have special needs. Together, they dive into the critical topic of student advocacy, exploring what it means to truly champion your students’ needs, strengths, and voices. Kelsey...

In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire , we're digging into the good, the bad, and the game-changing when it comes to using behavior charts in special education classrooms. When done right, behavior charts can boost accountability and motivate students — but they need to be thoughtfully designed and implemented. I’ll walk you through how to set clear, realistic goals, give consistent feedback,...

In Episode 59 of Teach Task Box Inspire , I’m diving into five common mistakes special education teachers often make during parent-teacher conferences — and what you can do instead. We’ll cover everything from starting off with positives to keeping your language clear and simple. These practical tips will help you turn conferences into productive, collaborative conversations. Whether you’re new to...

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most important aspects of special education: building strong, positive communication with parents. We all know how much of a game-changer it is when families and educators work together as a team to support students with disabilities. That’s why we’re sharing five practical tips to help you foster trust, ease parent anxieties, and make sure families fe...

In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, I’m diving into strategies for supporting students with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). If you’ve worked with students who push boundaries or seem to resist even the smallest requests, you know how challenging—and rewarding—it can be to find what works. I’m sharing 10 practical strategies you can use right away to help these students thrive in your...

In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, Lisa dives into a familiar challenge in special education classrooms: escape behaviors. These are behaviors that students may use to avoid tasks or instructions, and Lisa highlights how important it is to collect ABC data to uncover the reasons behind them. She shares five practical strategies to help manage and reduce these behaviors, like teaching stude...

In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, host Lisa delves into the critical topic of trauma and its profound effects on students in the classroom. With the staggering statistic that 25% of American students have been impacted by trauma, Lisa emphasizes the need for educators—whether they are teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists, or parents—to understand trauma-informed practices. In episode 5...

In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, host Lisa Hollady provides a detailed glimpse into a typical day as a 5th-grade special education inclusion teacher. She highlights the diverse responsibilities special educators undertake, from collaborating with colleagues and documenting student progress to offering in-class support and individual interventions. Lisa emphasizes the importance of flexib...

In Episode 53 of Teach Task Box Inspire, host Lisa Hollady addresses a common challenge faced by special educators: managing meltdowns in the classroom. Lisa shares five practical tips for helping students through escalated moments while ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved. The episode emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space, maintaining personal composure, modeling...

In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, Lisa gets real about what it's like to bounce back from burnout in a special education classroom. After stepping away for a year on maternity leave, she came back to the self-contained setting she once loved, only to find herself feeling disconnected and stuck. It took a lot of courage, but Lisa chose to walk away and take on a new challenge as a fifth-...

In the latest Teach, Task Box, Inspire episode , Lisa tackles the tough topic of student work refusal, sharing hands-on strategies to turn resistance into engagement. She digs into why students might refuse to work—like feeling overwhelmed, fearing failure, or dealing with personal struggles—and stresses the need to understand the "why" behind the behavior. Lisa offers practical advice, from build...

In this episode, Lisa dives into practical strategies for teaching flexibility and reducing rigid thinking in autistic students. Since many kids with autism find comfort in routines, Lisa highlights the need to balance maintain structure and create room for growth. She shares insights on how understanding the roots of rigidity, modeling flexible behaviors, using visual supports, and incorporating...

In the latest episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, we dive into the importance of executive functioning skills and how they directly impact student success both in and out of the classroom. We explore key strategies teachers can implement to support students in developing critical skills like organization, time management, planning, and self-regulation. You'll hear practical examples, tools, and tip...

In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, Lisa discusses the essential role paraprofessionals play in the special education classroom and shares practical strategies for supporting them effectively. From establishing clear communication and expectations to offering professional development and fostering a positive working relationship, Lisa provides actionable tips to ensure that paraprofessional...

Are you starting off the school year with behaviors you are unsure how to deal with? You won't want to miss episode 47! In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, Lisa discusses effective strategies for managing classroom transitions for students with special needs. Transitions can be challenging for students, often leading to anxiety and disruptive behaviors. Lisa explores how preparation, reduci...

Family involvement in your classroom is essential! In this Teach Task Box Inspire episode, Lisa explores the importance of building strong relationships with families in special education. She emphasizes that effective communication, involving parents in the IEP process, and providing consistent updates on student progress are key strategies for creating a collaborative and supportive environment....

In this Teach Task Box Inspire episode, Lisa delves into five effective strategies to help students manage big emotions. From active listening and co-regulation to providing space, using distractions, and encouraging creative expression, Lisa offers practical tips and insights for educators looking to support their students' emotional well-being. These strategies are essential tools that can be us...

In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, host Lisa Hollady shares 8 simple yet impactful Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices to start the day, designed to set a positive tone for the entire classroom. These strategies are easy to implement and perfect for busy educators looking to enhance their morning routines. Lisa also highlights how her task boxes can be seamlessly integrated into thes...

In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, host Lisa Hollady dives into the power of behavior-specific praise. Discover how this targeted form of positive reinforcement can transform your classroom dynamics by providing clear, meaningful feedback to students. Lisa explains the simple yet effective formula for delivering behavior-specific praise and shares real-life examples to illustrate its impac...

In today’s episode, Lisa Hollady, the host of Teach Task Box Inspire, shares all about implementing an effective token economy in your special education classroom. A token economy is a powerful system for delivering positive reinforcement, encouraging desired behaviors, and reducing unwanted ones. Lisa will explain the basics of a token economy, practical examples of how it can be used, and essent...

Implementing visual boundaries in the special education classroom can significantly improve students' understanding of where they are expected to be, reducing wandering and invasions of personal space. Using tools like painter’s tape, vinyl spots, and clear labels can effectively define these boundaries. Consistent teaching, reinforcement, and data tracking are essential to ensure students adhere...

In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, Lisa shares the top five essential items she never goes without self-contained classroom. These tools help maintain a safe, functional, and happy learning environment, ensuring smooth and productive days for both staff and students. Lisa delves into the importance of visual supports, timers, communication aids, sensory tools, and flexible seating options,...

In the latest episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, Lisa chats about the new Teach, Task Box, Inspire Membership, designed to support students' social and emotional development through task boxes. Lisa shares her personal transition to a 5th-grade consultant teacher role and highlights how task boxes can foster independence and confidence in students. She provides details about the membership’s exc...