Special Educators Resource Room Podcast: Real Talk for Special Education Teachers
Special Educators Resource Room with Jennifer DeBrosse is the podcast for busy special education teachers. Whether you’re brand new to the world of special education or an experienced teacher, this podcast will provide time-saving solutions for any busy special educator. Get ready to move things off your special educator plate without feeling like you have to live at school. I’m your host, Jennifer DeBrosse. I’m dual-certified, have been in education for over 25 years, and spent time in both the inclusion classroom and the resource room setting. I was also a special education instructional coach and mentor to hard-wor...
194. How Do I Teach a Small Group Without the Rest of the Class Falling Apart?
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 special education teacher...
193. When Your Back-to-School Plan Isn’t Going to Plan
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://positivelylearningblog.com/task-boxes-for-special-educators/
<...
192. Your Classroom Schedule Looks Good on Paper. But Will It Actually Work?
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 the classroom.
Grab your F...
191. You Don't Need a Paraprofessional Handbook for the First Week of School
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 people working alongside us be successful.
In this epis...
190. What Routines Should I Teach the First Week of School?
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://positivelylearningblog.com/membership_resources/
If you're...
189. 3 Things I Would NOT Prep Before the First Day of School
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://po...
188. Your First Two Weeks of School (Independent Work Edition)
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 beginning, you now have everything you need to build an independent work system that su...
187. If Your Small Groups Keep Getting Interrupted, Listen to This
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 to fix everything at once, you'll learn how to identify the one change that will have the bi...
186. The Small Group Test: Is Your Independent Work System Really Ready?
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:
185. Teach Routines That Last (Special Educators Summer Series Week 6)
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:
Special Educators Summer Series at Positively Learning on YouTube<...
184. Why Your Students (and Your Para) Shouldn't Have to Guess
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
Build Your Independent Work System Summer Series on YouTubeFree Task B...183. Clear Start. Clear Work. Clear Finish. | The Secret to Independent Work
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 one change...
182. Teacher Prep - Why You May Already Have Everything You Need
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 save you precious time, I've got you covered! I'm here...
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 stickingFive questions to ask before you download anythingHow to write down three priority skills that become your filter for every independent work decision this year...
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<...
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 teach...
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...
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 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 giveaway for a Lifetime Teacher Membership to the Independent Work Club 💛
Thank you for be...
176. When Teaching Feels Unsustainable: Should You Stay or Go?
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 reflecting on next year
Because special education will always be demanding — but it...
175. What I’d Buy for a Special Ed Classroom With $100, $250, $500, or $1000
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://positivelylearningblog.com/task-boxes-for-special-education/
If you're a busy special education te...
174. Free Task Box Ideas to Help Students Work Independently
Planning independent work doesn’t have to feel like starting from scratch every week.
In this episode, I’m sharing how to actually use a bank of task box ideas so planning feels faster and students can work more independently.
We’ll talk about:
✔ what makes a task truly “independent”
✔ how to choose tasks that actually work
✔ and how to stop overthinking your weekly planning
👉 Grab the 101 Task Box Ideas here
👉 Explore the Task Box Club
If you're a busy special education teacher looking for tips, tricks...
173. Is Task Completion Actually a Problem?
Is task completion actually hurting student learning?
In this episode, we’re clearing up a common misunderstanding:
🟡 what “task completion” really means
🟡 why it’s not the same as compliance
🟡 and how independent work builds real-life skills
Because when students can start, stay, and finish a task on their own… that’s not busy work — that’s independence.
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 i...
172. AI and IEPs: Let’s Talk About What’s Actually Happening
AI is helping teachers write IEPs faster than ever.
But… are we still fully behind what we’re writing?
In this episode, we’re unpacking:
✔ where AI helps
✔ where to pause
✔ and how to stay grounded in your professional judgment
Because faster isn’t always the same as better.
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...
171. IEP Goals That Look Good on Paper, But Aren't Actually Useful
Ever feel like some IEP goals look good on paper… but don’t actually get used?
You’re not alone.
In this episode, we’re talking about why that happens, how it shows up, and what it looks like to write goals that actually connect to your day-to-day teaching.
Because IEP goals should support your students — not just check a box.
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 yo...
170. Why Nothing You Try Is Fully Working in Your Classroom (Yet)
If you feel like you’ve tried everything—different activities, centers, task boxes—but your classroom still isn’t running smoothly, you’re not alone.
The issue usually isn’t the materials.
It’s that everything is working in pieces, but not as a complete system.
When independent work isn’t built on a consistent structure, students rely on the teacher to explain, restart, and guide every step. That’s why it feels like nothing is fully working—because the system isn’t holding on its own yet.
In this episode, we’re breaking down wh...
169. How I Plan a Week of Independent Work in 30 Minutes (Yes, Really)
How long should independent work planning take?
For many special educators, it can easily take 2–3 hours every week. But with the right system, it doesn’t have to.
In this episode, I share the simple routine I use to plan an entire week of independent work in about 30 minutes using task boxes.
You'll learn:
• how to align independent work with IEP goals
• why predictable task systems increase independence
• how to keep mastered skills sharp
• a repeatable planning routine that saves time
Resources mentioned:
<...168. Real Stories from the Parts of Teaching We Don’t Talk About
Teaching isn’t just lesson plans and instruction.
In this episode, you’ll hear several real classroom stories about the moments when advocating for students meant speaking up, pushing back, and navigating decisions that weren’t always easy.
From curriculum expectations to IEP decisions, this conversation explores a side of teaching that many educators weren’t prepared for—but know all too well.
If you’ve ever had a moment where something didn’t feel right for a student, this episode is for you.
If you're a busy...
167. Stop Repeating Yourself All Day | Independent Work for Special Education
If you feel like you’re powering your entire classroom all day, this episode is for you.
We’re building on last week’s bottleneck conversation and focusing on something even more practical: reducing the number of moments your students need you to activate their work.
Inside this episode:
🟡 How to reduce “start” fatigue
🟡 Simple ways to build obvious finishes
🟡 What to change so students stop waiting on you
No overhaul.
No deep theory.
Just small shifts that make Monday lighter.
Because independent work shouldn’t depend on you to run.
166. The Hidden Bottlenecks in Special Education Classrooms
If your classroom feels harder than it should, it might not be behavior — it might be a bottleneck.
In this episode of Special Educators Resource Room, we’re uncovering the hidden slow-downs that quietly drain your time, energy, and momentum.
You’ll learn about four common classroom bottlenecks and how to quickly resolve them. Instead of adding more strategies, we’re going to widen the bottleneck. Because smoother classroom flow isn’t about working harder — it’s about designing smarter.
Ready for more? Subscribe to Positively Learning over on youtube - new podcast episodes and qu...
165. Your Caseload Grew. Your Data Plan Didn’t.
Your caseload increased… but your data system stayed the same.
In this episode of Special Educators Resource Room, we’re talking about the silent mismatch that leads to data overwhelm — and how to recalibrate your plan without working longer hours.
You’ll learn:
🟡 Why your data routine may feel heavier midyear
🟡 How to adjust frequency without lowering standards
🟡 A simple way to rebuild a system that fits your current caseload
This isn’t about doing more.
It’s about updating the plan so it actually works now. 💛
If you're a busy special edu...
164. Feeling the Midyear Slide? Here’s Your Special Educator Reset
Is your classroom system suddenly… not working? You’re not alone.
In this episode of Special Educators Resource Room, we’re talking about the midyear mess—why it happens, how it sneaks up on even the most organized teachers, and what you can do right now to reset without burning out.
You’ll hear:
3 realistic ways to refresh your routinesA mindset shift that changes everythingWhy maintenance > overhauls for special educators✨ This is your permission to pause, adjust, and rebuild the support you really need.
If you're...
163. AI for Special Educators: What’s Helping in 2026
Wondering if AI can actually lighten your load this school year?
In this episode of Special Educators Resource Room, we’re skipping the buzzwords and talking real strategies:
🟡 Where AI actually helps in special education
🟡 What to ignore (with zero guilt)
🟡 How to protect your energy—without tech overwhelm
No hype. Just special education support that makes sense. 💛
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...
162. The Big Task Box Party Dream (Yes, I'm Serious)
Ever wish you could gather with other teachers, fire up the laminators, and walk away with a fully prepped task box system? In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes dream I can’t shake—and what it says about how much support we really need as educators.
🟡 A fun (and slightly over-the-top) vision for a task box workshop
🟡 Why dreaming big isn’t silly—it’s strategic
🟡 What’s coming soon to make this kind of support feel real
Let’s imagine what could be possible… and then take the next step to make it easier, together...
161. When You’re Overstimulated and Out of Energy: A Survival Guide for Teachers
Some days, teaching feels like too much—too loud, too fast, and too demanding. And when you’re overstimulated and out of energy, you don’t need another “do more” solution… you need something that helps you get through the day.
In this episode, Jennifer shares real, practical strategies she used on the hardest teaching days—especially when it was only Tuesday and quitting wasn’t an option. These ideas are simple, realistic, and designed to protect your energy while still supporting student independence.
You’ll hear about:
What an “Observation Day” is and why going calm...160. Special Educator POV: You Just Inherited a Stack of IEPs
Stepping into a new classroom or absorbing a fresh batch of students midyear? If your caseload feels more like chaos—overdue IEPs, missing data, and a sea of goals you didn’t write—you’re not alone.
In this episode of the Special Educators Resource Room, we’re breaking down what to do when you inherit a mess. 💥
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...
159. The Real Reason Independent Work Feels So Hard (and What to Do Instead)
If independent work feels like more work—you’re not alone. In this episode, we're breaking down the real reasons why independent work systems often fall apart (especially in self-contained classrooms)... and what to do instead.
You’ll learn:
✔ Why task box burnout happens
✔ What most systems are missing
✔ A simple 4-week approach to build trust and routines
✔ How to stop chasing perfection and create a system that actually works
🎯 Real talk + real solutions, no fluff. Let’s make independent work doable—for your students and your sanity.
If you're a busy spe...
158. Top 3 Tasks? Teachers Spilled the Tea 🍵
Welcome to the first episode of 2026—and a gentle nudge into the new year.
This isn’t a list of flashy favorites. It’s a conversation about what’s actually helping students build independence—and how you’re making it happen, one small win at a time.
In this episode, I’m sharing what real educators (just like you) are leaning on in their classrooms—from foundational tools like WH questions to some quiet gems that deserve more attention. But more than that, we’re talking about what your choices say about the systems you’re building—and how...
Task Box Giveaway! Pick Your 3 + Win Your Starter Kit 🎁
Want to finally start your task box system—without the stress?
This giveaway is for YOU.
In this quick episode, I’m sharing how to enter the Task Box Starter Kit Giveaway—and what you’ll win if your name gets drawn!
Here’s what’s included in the prize:
🎁 16-count rainbow task box storage set
🎁Cardstock + laminating sheets to get prepped fast
🎁 BONUS: I’ll email you the 3 task boxes you pick from the library!
How to Enter (it’s EASY!):<...
157. Looking Back to Move Forward: A Year of Systems, Surprises, and Survival for Special Educators
Ready to reset for the new year—but feeling like the last one ran you over?
In this special end-of-year episode of the Special Educators Resource Room podcast, I’m sharing a personal behind-the-scenes look at what really happened in 2025—and how I used simple organizational systems to survive some of the most overwhelming seasons of my life.
From medical emergencies and tech chaos to travel, moving, and launching a new website for the Task Box Dollar Club, I put all my favorite time-saving strategies to the test… and they held up.
Whethe...
156. Inbox Boundaries Every Special Educator Deserves
Is your inbox starting to feel like a stress trap? 😬 You’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong.
In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story about how I started to dread my own inbox (even while running a membership I love), and what I did to turn things around.
Inside this episode:
Why some emails hit harder than othersWhat you can do when your inbox feels heavyHow to take proactive steps with families (without burning out)Simple boundaries that help you protect your peaceA behind-the-scenes peek at what I learned fro...