In this episode of Special Education for Beginners, we’re continuing our focus on teacher burnout—and today’s topic might be the most practical yet.

As special educators, we often pour from an empty cup. We overcommit, stay late, skip lunch, and carry the emotional weight of the work home with us. But burnout doesn’t just happen because of how much we’re doing—it happens when we don’t have boundaries in place to protect our time, energy, and mental health.

In this episode, I’m sharing 5 realistic boundaries you can start using right now to prevent burnout and bring more balance back into your school year.

🔑 Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Limiting communication outside of work hours (and what to say in an auto-responder)
• How to protect your planning time so it doesn’t disappear every day
• My simple, non-negotiable end-of-day routine that brings mental closure
• Why working with your energy—not just your time—can change everything
• How to say “no” or “not yet” without feeling like you’re letting people down

💌 FREE RESOURCE
If you’re on my email list, I’ve created a one-page visual guide for you with all 5 boundaries plus quick, actionable tips to help you protect your time and your well-being.

Not on the list yet? Head over to spedprepacademy.com/podcast and join for access to weekly freebies and support.

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
Instagram
TPT

Hey there, special educators! This week on Special Education for Beginners, we’re continuing our month-long series on teacher burnout with a powerful, honest, and deeply important conversation.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jessica Werner, founder of Northshore Learning and a passionate advocate for teacher wellness. Dr. Werner works with schools across the globe to help retain great educators by addressing the real causes of burnout—especially those tied to student needs and behavior—and by providing sustainable support that goes beyond one-off professional development.

Together, we unpack:

• What burnout really looks like in today’s schools
• Why special education teachers are particularly vulnerable
• How administrators often don’t realize the depth of burnout until it’s too late
• Practical, everyday strategies teachers can use to reset, reconnect, and feel seen
• Why self-advocacy, support systems, and subtraction (yes, subtraction!) matter more than ever

Whether you're feeling slightly overwhelmed or on the edge of walking away, this episode is here to remind you: burnout is not your fault, and you’re not alone.

🎧 Listen in to feel supported, validated, and empowered to take your next right step forward.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Connect with Dr. Jessica Werner: JessicaWernerWellbeing.com
• Learn more about Northshore Learning: Northshore Learning Website
• Download Jessica’s Micro Wellbeing Tips – perfect for quick, daily resets

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
Instagram
TPT

Burnout isn’t just being tired—it’s about feeling empty. And most likely, it's something we all face at some point in our career.

In this episode, we discuss the emotional, physical, and mental weight of teacher burnout—especially in the world of special education. From the never-ending paperwork to the emotional energy required just to make it through the day, it’s no wonder so many educators are running on empty.

In this episode, Jennifer shares 5 key “buckets” of real, restorative strategies to help you lighten the load, reconnect with your purpose, and feel like yourself again.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why surface-level self-care doesn’t cut it
• The difference between reactive and restorative self-care
• How to build in daily habits that protect your peace
• What mindset shifts can help reduce stress and perfectionism
• How to establish healthy professional boundaries (and stick to them!)
• Ways to build meaningful community and support with other educators
• Small but powerful forms of self-care you can start today
• A personal challenge to help you put these tips into action

🎧 Listen now

📝 Resources Mentioned:

• Free Burnout Strategy Tracker PDF
• Report templates for Woodcock Johnson, Y-CAT, and Bracken

I'd love to hear from you!

• Email Jennifer directly to share what self-care strategy you’re committing to this week!

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
Instagram
TPT

Surprise! April had five Wednesdays, so you're getting a bonus episode to wrap up our Inclusion Series—and this one is all about action.

Throughout the month, we’ve broken down the barriers to inclusion, defined what inclusion really means, explored reverse inclusion, and shared how to build strong inclusive teams. But there’s one piece we haven’t covered yet: how to actually implement inclusion successfully.

In this episode, I’m sharing practical, realistic tips to help you support students in general education settings with confidence and purpose—whether you’re a special education teacher, paraprofessional, or co-teaching partner.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why “hovering” isn't the best strategy—and what to do instead
• How to use roaming support to increase student independence
• Ideas for using small group instruction effectively in inclusive classrooms
• What true co-teaching should look like and feel like
• The biggest dos and don’ts for providing support during inclusion
• How to keep collaboration strong and student dignity intact

Key Takeaways:

• Inclusion isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. It’s about taking small, intentional steps to help every student feel seen, valued, and supported.
• The less you are doing for your students, the BETTER you are doing your job!

✨ Free Resource Alert!

To celebrate the week before Teacher Appreciation Week, I’ve teamed up with 12 amazing special education educators to give you a bundle of FREE resources!
From task boxes to IEP tools, impact statement support to classroom visuals—you’ll find tons of useful goodies for your program.

👉 Click here to grab your freebies (**You'll click this link to opt-in to each contributor's email list to receive the freebies**)

Or head to spedprepacademy.com/podcast to sign up for the newsletter and get access there, too.

• Sign up for the weekly newsletter: spedprepacademy.com/podcast
• Follow me on Instagram: @spedprepacademy
• Leave a review or share the episode with a fellow educator!

Thanks for hanging out with me today. You’re doing amazing work—and you’re never alone on this journey. 💛

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
Instagram
TPT

Inclusion sounds amazing in theory—but in practice? It can feel scary, complicated, and even a little overwhelming. In today’s episode, I’m addressing into the real-world barriers that can stand in the way of building inclusive classrooms… and sharing what we can do to push past them. From time constraints and unclear roles to limited resources and resistance from staff, we’re talking about the tough stuff—and how to respond with creativity, teamwork, and intention.

You’ll walk away from this episode with a knowledge of common barriers keeping us from implementing inclusion and practical tips you can implement right away, whether you're a new special education teacher or a veteran navigating a tough team dynamic.

What You'll Learn:

• Common barriers to inclusion
  • Administration
  • Teachers
  • Students
• How to advocate for time to collaborate with general education teachers
• Tips for clarifying roles and responsibilities on inclusion teams
• The importance of building a culture of belonging for all students
• A real-life example of simple, inclusive differentiation using colored paper

Links & Resources:

• Join the weekly newsletter for exclusive content & freebies: spedprepacademy.com/podcast
• Looking for strategies to improve team communication? Check out my Conversation Skills: Tips for Courageous Conversations resource on TpT
• Follow me on Instagram: @spedprepacademy
• Email me: jennifer@spedprepacademy.com – I love hearing your stories!

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
Instagram
TPT

This third segment in our April inclusion series discusses the crucial aspect of building successful inclusion teams. If you missed the earlier discussions on the core principles of inclusion and reverse inclusion strategies, be sure to check out the previous episodes.

Today, we focus on the importance of teamwork in providing inclusive classrooms for our students because true inclusivity cannot be achieved single-handedly.

Key Insights:

1. The Power of Teamwork:
   • Effective inclusion requires a united team where general education teachers, paraprofessionals, specialists, and special education teachers communicate openly and share clear roles.
   • Challenges arise when inclusion is treated as a checkbox item, leading to frustration and a lack of genuine inclusivity.
2. Why Teamwork Is Non-Negotiable in Inclusion:
   • Inclusion must be a shared mindset, not just a physical setting, necessitating clear communication, shared goals, and mutual respect among all team members.
3. 5 Steps to Effective Inclusion:
   • Establish Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Use tools like expectation sheets and weekly planning templates to clarify who does what, enhancing confidence and effectiveness.
   • Support Paraprofessionals with Purpose: Provide adequate training, clear instructions, and regular feedback to paraprofessionals to ensure they are valuable, informed team members.
   • Choose the Right Co-Teaching Model: Select from various co-teaching models to find the best fit for your classroom dynamics and educational goals.
   • Use Scheduling and Planning Tools: Implement tools like Google Calendar and visual schedules to manage logistics and ensure consistent, compliant support.
   • Address Challenges Proactively: Encourage regular team check-ins to discuss what’s working, address challenges, and refine strategies to prevent issues from escalating.

This episode outlines a straightforward five-step process to boost your inclusion efforts. Remember, effective inclusion starts with a well-coordinated team where every member understands their role and contributes towards a common goal.

If you'd like a FREE Inclusion Planning Sheet, sign up for the weekly newsletter at www.spedprepacademy.com/podcast.

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
Instagram
TPT

We are continuing the theme of Inclusion during the month of April.

In my opinion, inclusion is one of the most important things that we can do for our students, but finding ways to do that can be challenging, especially when your program is self-contained and when your students are with you, the majority, if not all, of the school day.

You're going to have to get creative in finding those opportunities. And that's where today's guests come in.

Megan and Jen from Moms Managing Behavior have created a program in their school where they are doing some reverse inclusion. I found this idea and this conversation very enlightening, so I hope you do too.

Listen in as we discuss:

• Defining Successful Inclusion
• Implementing Reverse Inclusion
• Training for Inclusion
• The Impact of Reverse Inclusion
• Advice for Educators-Where to begin

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about Megan and Jen’s initiatives and professional development services at Moms Managing Behavior.
• Moms Managing Behavior TPT store
• Instagram and Facebook: @momsmanagingbehavior
  
  

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
Instagram
TPT

Inclusion is a word we hear constantly—in IEP meetings, PD sessions, and school mission statements. But for many special educators, inclusion still feels more like a buzzword than a practical reality.

In this episode of Special Education for Beginners, I discuss what inclusion really means—and why it’s more than just placing a student in a general education seat. I share my personal perspective on the true purpose of special education, offer real-life stories that bring inclusion to life, and outline 5 inclusive practices that special educators and paraprofessionals can use to create more meaningful opportunities for students with disabilities.

Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned educator, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped to take action—because inclusion isn’t just a philosophy. It’s a practice.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why “inclusion” has become a buzzword—and how we can move beyond it
• The real-life impact of inclusive experiences for students with disabilities
• How inclusion builds empathy and understanding for all students
• Why full-time self-contained placements should not be the default
• 5 actionable strategies to help teachers and paras support inclusion every day

Unfortunately, inclusion is often talked about, but not always backed up with systems, supports, or intentionality.

That’s where you come in.

As special education teachers, you are often the bridge—the connector between students who need the support and the general education settings we want them to thrive in. Inclusion isn’t just a general education or special education responsibility.

It’s a team effort.

And we play a vital role in making it happen.

So here’s your challenge for the week:
Think about one classroom, one teacher, or one team that you could support in becoming just a little more inclusive.

>>Maybe it’s a conversation.
>>>>Maybe it’s a strategy share.
>>>>>>Maybe it’s helping someone see a student’s potential in a new light.

Whatever it is—your voice matters. Your expertise matters. And your students deserve classrooms built with them in mind.

Resources Mentioned:

• Prompting Hierarchy Visual

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
Instagram
TPT