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

Jennifer DeBrosse
  • 5.0 (17)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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-working educators just like you. Tune in each week for quick action-packed episodes. They will be short, sweet, and to the point because I know how busy you are. I’m on a mission to help you get your time back! Let’s connect! You can find more special education support at: Positively Learning Blog (PS: while you’re there, be sure to grab the free Special Educators Cheat Sheets!)

  1. DEC 12

    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!): 1. Click here to browse the Task Box Dollar Library (no login needed):  👉 Task Box Library Link 2. Pick your 3 favorite task boxes 3. Submit your entry right here: 👉 Task Box Start Kit Giveaway Deadline to enter: Wednesday December 18, 2025 Winner will be announced on December 19, 2025 Thanks for listening—and GOOD LUCK!   Let’s make 2026 the year your students work independently… and you get your time back.  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

    3 min

  2. DEC 5

    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. Whether you're planning for a new quarter, tackling burnout, or looking to rebuild routines after the holidays, this episode is filled with tips and encouragement designed for real classrooms and real lives. ✅ Plus, I’m sharing what’s next for the podcast, why I’m taking a short break, and how to stay connected on YouTube for quick tips and new videos focused on independent work systems and task boxes. Come follow along here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUOwUms-ennQ36JBXYnComA Do you have a topic or question you'd like to see covered in a future podcast episode? Let us know here: https://forms.gle/WVv9xQcYP4mRDML28 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

    8 min

  3. NOV 28

    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 from the Task Box Dollar Club updateWhether you're avoiding a tough email or just tired of that constant inbox pressure—this episode will give you a fresh perspective and practical support. 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

    9 min

  4. NOV 21

    155. Why I Stopped Doing Themes (and what you can do instead)

    Theme weeks can be fun—but what if they’re also burning you out? In this episode, I’m walking you through the moment I decided to stop planning my entire week around pumpkins, apples, or snowflakes… and what I did instead to keep students progressing and save my sanity. Inside this episode:  ✔ Why theme overload happens  ✔ The systems to use instead of seasonal overhauls  ✔ A realistic way to sprinkle in themed fun without derailing your routines 🎧 Listen in and take a deep breath—you have permission to skip the scarecrow centers this year! 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

    8 min

  5. NOV 14

    154. Should Students Be Working on the Same Goals or Tasks Every Week?

    Is it okay to keep the same tasks in your independent work system week after week? Short answer? YES. Until it’s a no. 😅 In this episode of the Special Educators Resource Room, we’re digging into why repetition is powerful—and when it quietly slides into busywork. 🎧 You’ll learn: The green flags for repeating tasks (yes, on purpose!)The subtle signs your system needs a refreshA teacher-friendly trick for rotating tasks without burning outHow to balance familiar formats with new skillsWhat to do when change causes work avoidance or shutdowns✨Spoiler alert: Independent work should be doing the heavy lifting for you—not adding more to your plate. 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

    9 min

  6. NOV 7

    153. That Time Progress Monitoring Made Me Cry

    This one’s different. In this raw and real episode, I’m sharing a moment I haven’t talked about before—a Thursday afternoon (or was it a Tuesday?) when the empty data binders, overdue progress reports, and sheer weight of teacher overwhelm broke me. 💔 Spoiler alert: I cried over progress monitoring. But that breakdown led to a breakthrough—and a new system that changed everything. If you’ve ever asked yourself: “How am I supposed to keep up with all of this?”“What counts as valid data?”“Why does this feel so hard?”This episode is for you. You’ll walk away with:  ✅ A 5-step system for building your IEP data routine  ✅ Real examples of what counts as meaningful, usable progress monitoring ✅ A weekly rotation system that works (and gives you your evenings back) ✅ The mindset shift that turns data from pressure → purpose ✨ You don’t have to track every goal every day. You just need a system that works. 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

    9 min

  7. OCT 31

    152. Taming the Special Ed Paperwork Monster

    That paper stack on your desk? It’s not your imagination—it really is multiplying. In this spooky Halloween episode, I’m sharing how I handle the paperwork before it becomes overwhelming. From what I actually keep (and what I confidently toss) to the simple folder system that saves my sanity, you’ll learn how to tame the paper pile without needing to become a color-coded superhero. I’ll also walk you through the 5-minute daily routine I use to stop the clutter from building up again. This isn’t about having the perfect system—it’s about making one that works for you. So whether you’re buried under IEP drafts or sticky notes scribbled with reminders, you’ll walk away with practical tips to feel just a little more on top of things. Press play and take the first step toward reclaiming your desk. 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

    8 min

  8. OCT 24

    151. IEP Work Bins: Let's Build One Together!

    Ever feel like IEP implementation is a full-time job… on top of your *actual* full-time job? In this episode, I’m breaking down my go-to system for staying on top of IEP goals without reinventing the wheel. It’s called the "IEP Work Bin"—and once you’ve got one set up, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. We’ll cover: * What to include in a student’s work bin * How to set one up even if you didn’t write the IEP * Why assessment tools go in *first* * How task boxes, file folders, and work binders help reinforce and track skills * Plus, how to refresh your bins throughout the year You’ll walk away with a simple system that supports your students—and your sanity. Links mentioned: Try out the Task Box Club!  https://positivelylearningblog.com/membership_resources/ Submit a Question for a Future Episode: https://forms.gle/5kqmGgJuf3CkTxQW8 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

    10 min
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About

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-working educators just like you. Tune in each week for quick action-packed episodes. They will be short, sweet, and to the point because I know how busy you are. I’m on a mission to help you get your time back! Let’s connect! You can find more special education support at: Positively Learning Blog (PS: while you’re there, be sure to grab the free Special Educators Cheat Sheets!)

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