Welcome to "Backward Planning 101: A Special Educator’s Secret Weapon." In this episode, we're diving into how backward planning can transform your teaching and boost student success in the special education setting.

It's all about starting with your end goal and designing each lesson to achieve those outcomes, ensuring that every minute in the classroom counts.

In this episode I'm sharing why I consistently used this strategy and practical tips to make it work for you! Looking for more helpful information on using backward planning design? Check out the blogpost full of tips on getting started:

https://positivelylearningblog.com/backward-planning-a-strategic-approach-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 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

Happy Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! This episode is full of advice on how we can express appreciation for support staff in the special education setting anytime of year.

Be sure to listen to Episode 15 and download the free Paraprofessional Appreciation Sticky Notes for a quick token of appreciation:

The Best Paraprofessional Appreciation Ideas (that are free or mostly free!)

Still navigating the coworker relationship? Check out these talking points to help you lead the next conversation:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Paraprofessional-Training-Scripts-Editable-Talking-Points-Special-Education-9920556?st=bc1f044eef7d2af50631629bbd6ce2e8

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 struggling with coteaching or maybe feeling nervous about getting along with coteachers, this special podcast episode is for you! This is Part 2 of the CoTeacher Conversations. Be sure to check out Part 1 - Special Educators Resource Room Episode 67.
 
Not sure what to say  - especially when having difficult conversations at school? Here's the help guide every special educator can use throughout the school year:
Special Education Scripts - Bundle of Editable Talking Points

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

Co-Teacher Conversations Part One - Navigating Tricky Coteaching Partnerships
What do you do when coteaching isn't working out? In this episode, I'm sharing the reality of coteaching and tips to get through less than stellar inclusion teaching scenarios.
 
For more information on improving communication and the coteaching relationship in the inclusion classroom setting, check out this special education blogpost:

https://positivelylearningblog.com/special-education-co-teaching/

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

As special educators, we are often on the lookout for supplemental resources to support struggling students. There are so many choices out there,  but if you've ever looked you already know that not all educational materials are created equal.

Learn more about finding "just right" resources for your students:
https://positivelylearningblog.com/choosing-supplementary-resources-in-special-education/

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

No matter how long we've been in education, there are still new things to learn! Recently I had the opportunity to learn from a podcast by someone I greatly admire.

You can check out Dr. Christine Reeve's podcast here:
Autism Classroom Resources: https://autismclassroomresources.com/podcasts/

In February 2024, Dr. Reeve did an entire podcast series on independent work systems and there's so many gems! I'm sharing two big takeaways in this episode, but I encourage you to listen to the series, maybe even more than once.

I also highly recommend this reference book:
Building Independence: How to Create and Use Structured Work Systems By Christine Reeve and Susan Kabot

In this episode, I share how the Task Box Dollar Club can help special educators quickly set up a low prep independent work system that works. Learn more about the monthly membership here:

Task Box Dollar Club: https://positivelylearningblog.com/task-boxes-for-special-educators/

Task Box Dollar Club Catalog: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RYY45QMrS1g8jKq3Iy3_9lAljWSmxDFe/view?usp=drive_link

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

Should we use a break pass system as a behavior strategy? In this episode, I share my classroom struggles with elopement and what we tried (and tried) to implement. This is a honest look at utilizing different behavior tools to support student learning.

If you're ready to tackle student behavior and think a break system is the ticket, check out this ready-to-go classroom resource:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Break-Passes-to-Reduce-Elopement-I-Need-a-Break-Token-Board-Data-Tracking-4764582

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

Special Educators, let's get nosy! Sometimes the very best professional development comes from each other, not workshops or textbooks. In this episode, learn more about what other special educators are talking about and using in their classrooms.

Want to keep learning from each other?
Be sure to join the Special Educators Resource Room Facebook community here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/599918080857066

Other resources mentioned:

• Data Collection File Folder Organization
• IEP Skills File Folders
• Task Boxes for All Year
• Break Passes
• Snow Day Packet

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

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 post for more ideas in action!
https://positivelylearningblog.com/tips-for-setting-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

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 room setting. It was BUSY, but it worked for us. 
I'd love to hear what YOU think! Please leave a rating and feedback, plus share with another teacher. Thank you! 

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