"Paraprofessionals are distracting students by interrupting during lessons. What should I do?" - a frustrated special educator

This episode breaks down the most common reasons paras step in at the wrong moments and how to address it without micromanaging or creating awkward tension.

You'll learn how to set clear expectations, create collaborative feedback loops, and plan quiet support strategies that empower your para while keeping your instruction flowing. Whether you're new to managing a team or just need a reset, this episode offers practical tips you can use right away.

Need more para support? 

Check out the Paraprofessional Expectation Toolkit:

https://positivelylearningblog.com/tips-for-paraprofessional-expectations/

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/

Join the Facebook group

I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by everything you could be doing to prep for the week ahead, this episode is here to offer some much-needed clarity. I’m breaking down my planning rhythm by day—from prepping para support on Mondays to catching up and resetting on Fridays. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about finding a routine that keeps you (and your classroom) running smoothly.

 You’ll walk away with a framework you can tweak for your own schedule—whether you have a full room, a rolling cart, or something in between. If you’re ready to feel more in control of your week without working around the clock, tune in and grab the ideas that work for you.

Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to let me know: https://forms.gle/YEpR2stFwVXHm2xU7

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/

Join the Facebook group

I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning

Back-to-school season brings excitement… and overwhelm. In this episode, I’m answering five real questions from special educators about what actually matters during those first few weeks. From what to prioritize in Week 1, to how to support (and redirect) a para, to what to do when you feel completely behind—this Q&A is all about practical advice and a little perspective.

 If you're feeling the pressure to do it all, this episode is your reminder that progress doesn’t have to be perfect. Take what works, leave the rest, and know that you're not alone. 

Have a question or topic suggestion you'd love to have featured in an upcoming episode? Fill out this quick survey: https://forms.gle/YEpR2stFwVXHm2xU7

Podcast Episodes Mentioned:

Ep. 33 - First Week of School for Special Educators

Ep. 36 - Building Relationships How-To

Ep. 62 - Paraprofessional Expectations: HELP!

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/

Join the Facebook group

I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning

Back-to-school prep doesn’t have to mean laminating late into the night. In this episode, I’m breaking down what I really wish I had prepped before the school year began—things that made a lasting impact on student independence and classroom flow (and saved my sanity). Spoiler: it's not about perfection, it's about purpose.

We’ll walk through the four key areas I focus on now: evergreen task boxes, visuals that teach routines from day one, a flexible planning framework based on skills (not the calendar), and teacher-facing tools that keep you grounded when the chaos hits. Whether you’re prepping for August or mid-year troubleshooting, these are the systems that will support you all year long.

Want to add low prep tasks to your independent work systems? Check out the Complete Independent Work Club

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/

Join the Facebook group

I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning

When the school day ends, it’s tempting to bolt out the door the second your last student leaves. But what if five intentional minutes could make tomorrow go smoother?

In this episode, I’m sharing the Five-Minute Reset—an end-of-day habit that helps special educators walk into a calm, prepared classroom. I break down exactly what I reset (and why), how I make the habit stick, and how you can involve your students in the process to build independence. Whether you’re wrapping up a wild week or resetting mid-year, this tiny routine packs a big punch.

And if you're looking for prepped resources that make this reset even easier, be sure to check out the Task Box Dollar Club. Hundreds of ready-to-go tasks, searchable by skill and student level, are just a click away.

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/

Join the Facebook group

I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning

If your independent work routine is starting to feel more frustrating than functional, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing the three most common mistakes I see with independent work systems—and more importantly, how to fix them without tossing your whole setup.

If you’re looking for sustainable routines that actually support your students and your teaching, you’re in the right place. Want ready-to-use resources to go with these strategies? Check out the Complete Independent Work Club linked in the show notes.

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/

Join the Facebook group

I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning

Are your classroom materials taking over? If you're tired of digging through bins or wondering where to put your ever-growing task card collection, this episode is for you.
In Episode 136 of the Special Educators Resource Room podcast, I’m breaking down the PROS and CONS of binders, baskets, and bins—plus how to use each one with intention to support student independence and teacher sanity. You'll learn how to create a system that keeps materials organized, accessible, and ready to use—without the clutter or overwhelm.
And if you're looking for resources that fit inside any of these systems? The Complete Independent Work Club has you covered. One membership, all the task boxes you need, whether you're a binder-builder, basket-lover, or bin-stacker.

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/

Join the Facebook group

I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning

Everywhere you turn, there’s another summit, webinar, or workshop calling your name. ✋ While professional development can be powerful, your summer break doesn’t have to become one big to-do list. In this bonus episode, I’m sharing a heartfelt reminder that your time off isn’t a syllabus—and how to make space for rest and growth without the overwhelm.

We’ll talk about:

• Why it’s okay (and necessary) to be selective about summer PD
• My go-to “one thread” method for intentional professional growth
• What I’m currently juggling behind the scenes (spoiler: it’s a lot!)
• Free PD options I’m part of—including a summit session and evergreen webinar

✨ Whether you’re in full recharge mode or feeling the urge to prep for next year, this episode will help you move forward with intention.

Links Mentioned:

• Watch the Free Task Box Webinar
• Join the Free Summer Summit + My Session
• Explore the Complete Independent Work Club (the new platform is coming this summer!)

Let’s connect!
Instagram → @positivelylearning
Website → positivelylearningblog.com

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/

Join the Facebook group

I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning

Color-coded bins. Rainbow task boxes. Laminated schedules with pastel tabs. We’ve seen it all… but does it actually help?

In this episode of the Special Educators Resource Room Podcast we’re cutting through the color-coded chaos. I’m sharing the real reason I use color coding in my classroom (hint: it has nothing to do with aesthetics). You’ll hear how I use stickers behind the scenes to keep track of skill areas, make my planning faster, and train team members—without confusing students or overcomplicating routines.

We’ll also talk about what to skip when it comes to color coding—like why I don’t match bins or label students by color—and how to build a simple system that supports independence all year long. Whether you’re team binder, basket, or bin, this episode will help you use color with intention… and a lot less stress.

LInks mentioned in this episode: 

• Complete Independent Work Club
• Color-Coding Stickers

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/

Join the Facebook group

I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @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/

Join the Facebook group

I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning