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

Jaksot

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  194. How Do I Teach a Small Group Without the Rest of the Class Falling Apart? 11.09.2026 8min

  You know small-group instruction matters. But what is the rest of the class supposed to be doing while you’re actually teaching that small group? In this episode, we’re talking about what needs to be in place so you can actually sit down, teach a small group, and trust that the rest of your students know what to do—without needing you every two minutes. Task Box Club and Independent Work Club: https://positivelylearningblog.com/task-boxes-for-special-educators/ If you're a busy speci...
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  193. When Your Back-to-School Plan Isn’t Going to Plan 04.09.2026 11min

  When your back-to-school plan isn’t going to plan, it doesn’t mean you need to start over. In this episode, we’re talking about what the first month of school can teach you about classroom routines, student needs, independent work, and special education systems. Learn how to use those first few weeks as data—not a verdict—so you can make small adjustments, build student independence, and create classroom routines that actually stick. Task Box Club and Independent Work Club: https://posi...
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  192. Your Classroom Schedule Looks Good on Paper. But Will It Actually Work? 28.08.2026 8min

  Ep. 92: Scheduling Tips for Special Educators Task Box Club and Independent Work Club: https://positivelylearningblog.com/task-boxes-for-special-educators/ 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...
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  191. You Don't Need a Paraprofessional Handbook for the First Week of School 21.08.2026 11min

  A detailed paraprofessional handbook can be a helpful reference—but it probably isn’t what your support staff needs most during the first week of school. In this episode, I’m sharing the four things I would prioritize instead: a few specific phrases to use, a quick classroom walkthrough, clear expectations for student independence, and one simple way to ask for help when they’re unsure. We’ll also talk about why giving clear, direct instructions isn’t bossy—it’s one of the ways we help the ...
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  190. What Routines Should I Teach the First Week of School? 14.08.2026 10min

  Your students don’t automatically know how your classroom works — even when the activities are ready. In this episode, we’re talking about four routines to explicitly teach during the first two weeks of school, from getting started and asking for help to finishing and transitioning. Because repetition isn’t a sign the routine isn’t working. Repetition is the plan. Check out the Task Box Club and Independent Work Club for a library of tasks built for your routines: https://positivelylearningbl...
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  189. 3 Things I Would NOT Prep Before the First Day of School 07.08.2026 14min

  If your back-to-school prep list keeps getting longer, this episode is your permission to make it shorter. I’m sharing 3 things I would NOT prep before the first day of school — and what I’d spend that time on instead. Because you don’t need to prep the whole year before you’ve even met this year’s students. Prep the system. Not the year. Task Box Club and Independent Work Club are linked in the show notes if you want ready-to-use independent work for week one: https://positivelylearningblog....
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  188. Your First Two Weeks of School (Independent Work Edition) 31.07.2026 11min

  In this final episode of the Build Your Independent Work System Before Back-to-School series, I'm walking you through the five questions every teacher should answer before launching independent work with students. Plus, I'll share what to realistically expect during the first two weeks of school—and why you don't need 100 tasks to build a successful independent work routine. Remember: You don't need more materials. You need one system that works. If you've followed the series from the beginni...
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  187. If Your Small Groups Keep Getting Interrupted, Listen to This 24.07.2026 14min

  Do your small groups keep getting interrupted by students who won't get started, stop working halfway through, or constantly ask for help? Those interruptions aren't random—they're giving you valuable information about what's working (and what's not) in your classroom routines. In this episode, I'll walk you through the five most common student behaviors I look for while teaching a small group and explain what each one tells me about what to adjust before back-to-school. Instead of trying t...
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  186. The Small Group Test: Is Your Independent Work System Really Ready? 17.07.2026 13min

  Can your classroom keep learning while you're teaching a small group? In this episode, we're putting your independent work system to the test. I'll share why independent work was never about keeping students busy in my resource room—it was about making every learning minute count. Then we'll walk through a simple five-minute "Small Group Test" to help you identify exactly where your system is strong and where it still needs support before back-to-school. In this episode, you'll learn: Why i...
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  185. Teach Routines That Last (Special Educators Summer Series Week 6) 10.07.2026 11min

  Build Your Independent Work System - Week 6 of Special Educators Summer Series Setting up an independent work system is only half the job—students need to be taught how to use it. In this episode, Jennifer shares a simple four-step teaching sequence that helps students build independence, reduces prompt dependence, and creates consistent routines for both students and paraprofessionals. Learn how slowing down at the beginning of the year can save time all year long. Important Links: Spe...
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  184. Why Your Students (and Your Para) Shouldn't Have to Guess 03.07.2026 13min

  If your students are constantly asking, "What's next?" or support staff isn't sure how independent work should flow, this episode is for you. This is Week 5 of the Special Educators Summer Series and we're covering the K in the TASKS Framework: Keep It Consistent. You'll learn the five simple components that help students move through independent work with confidence while giving paraprofessionals, substitutes, and student teachers a routine that's easy to follow. Links & Resources ...
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  183. Clear Start. Clear Work. Clear Finish. | The Secret to Independent Work 26.06.2026 10min

  There is a difference between a task a student can do and a task a student can do independently. Most classroom activities are designed for the first. Independent work requires the second. In this episode, we're talking about one of the most important parts of building an independent work system: setting up the task itself. Every independent task needs three things: • A clear start • A clear work signal • A clear finish This week's challenge is simple: choose one task, find one gap, and make ...
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  182. Teacher Prep - Why You May Already Have Everything You Need 19.06.2026 11min

  Special Educators Summer Series Week 3 - What You Actually Need to Build the Tasks. We're in the TASKS Framework. Last week was the T — Think it through — and your homework was three priority skills written down before you searched for a single material. Today is the A. Access your materials. Be sure to follow along the teacher summer series at Positively Learning on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FR0bpZ27pNw If you're a busy special education teacher looking for tips, tricks, and resources to sav...
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  181. Teacher Planning Made Easy: Start With the Skill, Not the Activity 12.06.2026 11min

  Most teachers build independent work by finding things that look good. This episode is about doing it the other way around — starting with the skills your students actually need, before you open TPT or search for a single material. This is the T in the TASKS Framework: Think it through. In this episode: Why starting with activities instead of skills is what keeps independent work from ever really stickingFive questions to ask before you download anythingHow to write down three priority skills...
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  180. Special Educators Summer Series Week One! 05.06.2026 13min

  If independent work keeps falling apart in your classroom, this episode is for you. Many special educators assume they need better activities, more task boxes, or more resources. But most independent work problems aren't actually material problems. They're system problems. In this episode, we're kicking off the Special Educators Summer Series by looking at where independent work usually breaks down and how to identify the first leak in your current system. 📺 Subscribe on YouTube to catch new ...
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  179. Special Education Classroom This or That (End-of-Year Edition) 29.05.2026 7min

  End-of-Year Classroom This or That Today’s episode is a lighter end-of-year conversation all about classroom “this or that” choices in special education classrooms. We’re walking through a few end-of-year teacher opinions, routines, and classroom decisions that can either make this season feel calmer… or accidentally make it harder. Inside this episode: 🟡 Teacher-led classroom pack-up vs. students helping 🟡 Brand-new activities vs. familiar favorites 🟡 Overpacked spirit weeks vs. predictable ...
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  178. What Is Your Classroom Telling You Before Summer? 22.05.2026 9min

  The end of the school year reveals a lot about how a classroom is really functioning. In this episode, we’re talking about what late May behavior, routines, and classroom energy might actually be telling you — especially in special education classrooms where so much depends on structure and predictability. Inside this episode: 🟡 Why some routines are still working (even when everyone is tired) 🟡 What end-of-year exhaustion reveals about classroom systems 🟡 How to notice which routines truly s...
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  177. What 4 Years of Task Box Club Taught Me (+ a BIG giveaway!) 13.05.2026 12min

  This month, Task Box Club turns 4 years old 🎂 In this episode, I’m reflecting on: how the club startedwhat independent work looked like in my classroom years agothe evolution of the club over the last 4 yearsfunny and nostalgic moments along the wayand the biggest lessons teachers have taught me about building more independent classrooms.We’re also celebrating all week long inside Task Box Club with: ✔ 100+ new task releases ✔ 4 themed days focused on independent work systems ✔ and a HUGE giv...
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  176. When Teaching Feels Unsustainable: Should You Stay or Go? 08.05.2026 11min

  This time of year, a lot of educators quietly start asking themselves: 👉 Can I do this again next year? 👉 And do I want to do it here? In this episode, we’re talking about the difference between teaching being hard (because it is) and a school environment being unhealthy. We cover: ✔ what healthy schools actually prioritize ✔ why constant blame changes everything ✔ the difference between hard work and unsupported work ✔ and questions to ask yourself if you’re reflecti...
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  175. What I’d Buy for a Special Ed Classroom With $100, $250, $500, or $1000 01.05.2026 11min

  If you had end-of-year budget money for your classroom… what would actually be worth buying? In this episode, I’m sharing: ✔ what I’d prioritize at different budget levels ✔ what purchases truly support independence ✔ and the systems that save the most teacher energy long-term. Because the best classroom purchases aren’t always the cutest — they’re the ones that make your entire year easier. 📦 Explore the Task Box Club + Independent Work Club here: https://positivelyle...