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

181. Teacher Planning Made Easy: Start With the Skill, Not the Activity

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 sticking * Five questions to ask before you download anything * How to write down three priority skills that become your filter for every independent work decision this year Homework: Write down three priority skills before you search for a single material. That list is what you're bringing into next week. This is episode 2 of 9 in the Special Educators Summer Series.  Follow along @Positively Learning on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivelyLearning [https://www.youtube.com/@PositivelyLearning] 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 Cheat Sheets at positivelylearningblog.com/free-resource-library/ [https://positivelylearningblog.com/free-resource-library/] Join the Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/599918080857066/] I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning [https://www.instagram.com/positivelylearning/]

180. Special Educators Summer Series Week One!

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 live videos every Wednesday! Positively Learning on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@PositivelyLearning] 📦 Explore the Task Box Club Library: Task Box Club [https://positivelylearningblog.com/membership_resources/] Because independent work isn't about finding more activities. It's about building a system that helps students know what to do, how to do it, and what happens next. 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 Cheat Sheets at positivelylearningblog.com/free-resource-library/ [https://positivelylearningblog.com/free-resource-library/] Join the Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/599918080857066/] I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning [https://www.instagram.com/positivelylearning/]

179. Special Education Classroom This or That (End-of-Year Edition)

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 fun 🟡 Countdown chains vs. calmer end-of-year language and more!  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 Cheat Sheets at positivelylearningblog.com/free-resource-library/ [https://positivelylearningblog.com/free-resource-library/] Join the Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/599918080857066/] I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning [https://www.instagram.com/positivelylearning/]

178. What Is Your Classroom Telling You Before Summer?

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 support independence 🟡 Why simpler systems often survive May better than complicated ones This isn’t about overhauling your classroom before summer. It’s about noticing what reduced stress, created independence, and helped your classroom keep moving — because those are usually the systems worth keeping. 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 Cheat Sheets at positivelylearningblog.com/free-resource-library/ [https://positivelylearningblog.com/free-resource-library/] Join the Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/599918080857066/] I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning [https://www.instagram.com/positivelylearning/]

177. What 4 Years of Task Box Club Taught Me (+ a BIG giveaway!)

This month, Task Box Club turns 4 years old 🎂 In this episode, I’m reflecting on: * how the club started * what independent work looked like in my classroom years ago * the evolution of the club over the last 4 years * funny and nostalgic moments along the way * and 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 giveaway for a Lifetime Teacher Membership to the Independent Work Club 💛 Thank you for being part of these last four years 💛 🎉 ENTER THE GIVEAWAY [https://kingsumo.com/g/3odnyzm/task-box-club-giveaway] 📚 CHECK OUT THE TASKS [https://positivelylearningblog.com/membership_resources/] 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 Cheat Sheets at positivelylearningblog.com/free-resource-library/ [https://positivelylearningblog.com/free-resource-library/] Join the Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/599918080857066/] I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning [https://www.instagram.com/positivelylearning/]