Special Education for Beginners | Managing Paraprofessionals, Special Education Strategies, First Year Sped Teachers, Special

Jennifer Hofferber - Special Education Teacher and Coach
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The Go-To Podcast for Special Educators who want to reduce their stress and begin to feel success.Hey special educator…Overwhelmed by the absurd amount of paperwork on your to-do list? Wish you had the skills to build a rock-solid team with your paraprofessionals? Do you find yourself scouring the internet for how to meet the diverse needs of each student on your caseload? Hey there friend…I’m Jennifer Hofferber from Sped Prep Academy, an award winning veteran special education teacher and current instructional coach who has walked in your shoes through each of these challenges. And yes, I've got the metaphorical blisters to prove it!  I’ve cried your tears and felt your pain and now I’m here to support you the way I wish someone would have been there to support me.  Listen in each week as my guests and I dish out practical wisdom to help you handle all the classroom curveballs thrown your way, and learn how to laugh in spite of the chaos to celebrate those small, yet significant victories that only a special educator can understand. So…Are you ready? Wipe your tears and put on your superhero cape because together we are going to learn how to survive and thrive in the ever crazy, completely overwhelming, laugh so you don’t cry profession of being a special education teacher. Next Steps: Visit the Website: https://www.spedprepacademy.com Join the Free Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SpedPrepAcademy Email Me: jennifer@spedprepacademy.com

  1. قبل ٤ أيام

    How the Brain Impacts Behavior & What You Can Do About It

    Welcome back to our month-long focus on behavior management in the special education classroom. In this episode, we’re digging into the science behind student behavior with special guest Sam Parmelee. This isn’t your typical conversation about clip charts and consequences. We’re talking about regulation, relationships, and the real reasons behind challenging behavior. We know that classroom behavior can be one of the most overwhelming parts of a special education teacher’s job, and often the one we feel least prepared for. That’s why this episode focuses on brain-based regulation and a powerful framework that helps educators respond to behavior with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Sam shares what every educator should know about the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, and how our brains process stress, threats, and relationships. We also explore why so many behavior plans fail (hint: it’s not just about the students) and why emotional regulation is just as important for adults as it is for kids. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why understanding brain function is essential to supporting behaviorWhy we need to stop asking dysregulated students to “think about their choices”How to regulate yourself first, especially in heated momentsPractical tools for improving staff buy-in to behavior plansThe CALM technique Sam uses to guide de-escalationThe difference between responding to behavior vs. reacting to it🔧 Strategies You Can Use Tomorrow: Use the phrase “This behavior is happening in front of me, not to me” to help emotionally detach in the moment.Teach your team the CALM acronym: Connect, Affirm, Listen, My Plan.Normalize the idea that behavior interventions, like academics, require collaboration, data, and adaptability.Provide staff with the tools they need to implement plans—think timers, visuals, checklists.Host team discussions that change the narrative around student behavior from “defiance” to “a skill that hasn’t been taught yet.”📘 Article Mentioned: Sam’s article on Emotional De-escalation (Edutopia): Read it here 📱 Follow Sam on Social Media  @theedqueen on instagram, facebook & tik tok! The ED Queen Website 🧠 Resource Mentioned: 125 Behavior Strategies 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

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  2. ٢ سبتمبر

    7 Strategies to Prevent Behaviors Proactively

    Welcome back to Special Education for Beginners! September is such a critical month for teachers. It’s the time when routines are still being built and the habits you create now will either set you up for a calm, structured classroom or leave you constantly putting out “fires” all year long. In this episode, we’re talking about prevention...how to stop behaviors before they start. Of course, we know there’s no way to erase every single behavior, but wouldn’t it be nice to reduce the frequency, intensity, and unpredictability of those behaviors with just a few proactive systems? I’ll walk you through 7 practical strategies that special educators can start using right away to create smoother routines, reduce disruptions, and build a more positive, predictable environment for students. These strategies include: Setting clear, explicit expectations (and teaching them like academics)Using predictable routines to create a sense of safety and structureBuilding relationships before enforcing rulesOffering simple, meaningful choices to give students ownershipIncorporating movement, sensory, and even snack breaks before problems escalateReinforcing the positive behaviors you want to see more ofAligning the adults so every staff member responds consistentlyYou’ll come away with concrete examples, classroom tips, and easy-to-implement strategies that make behavior management feel less reactive and more intentional. 💡 Free Resource for Listeners: If you’re on my email list, you’ll automatically receive a free set of Behavior Management Cards with these 7 strategies plus a few bonus ones. They’re printable, easy to clip on a ring, and perfect for quick reminders for you and your team.  🎧 Not signed up yet? You can join here 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

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  3. ٢٧ أغسطس

    Keeping Perspective in Special Education: A Pep Talk for the New School Year

    At the start of a new school year, everything can feel big. The stress, the expectations, the changes...they all seem to hit at once. If you’re in that season of overwhelm, this episode is your much-needed pep talk. In Episode 225, I’m sharing the mindset shifts that have helped me stay grounded, protect my peace, and stop giving energy to things that don’t matter in the long run. Whether you’re already in the thick of it or gearing up to start the 2025–26 school year, this is the perfect time to take a deep breath and shift your perspective. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why it's normal to feel overwhelmed at the start of the year (you’re not alone!)3 key perspective shifts that can help you stay grounded and avoid burnoutHow to tell the difference between a moment and a mountainWhy building strong connections with your team (especially your paras and gen ed colleagues) matters more than everWhat it means to zoom in, zoom out, and find the balance in betweenQuick Recap of This Month’s Back-to-School Series: Ep. 222: Where Do I Even Start? — 3 Priorities for Special EducatorsEp. 223: Mastering the Special Education Schedule (One Tetris Piece at a Time)Ep. 224: How to Choose the Right Data Collection System for Your ClassroomIf you missed any of those episodes, now’s a great time to go back and catch up! Key Takeaways from Episode 225: 🔄 Perspective Shift #1: Will This Matter in 3 Days, 3 Weeks, or 3 Months? Use the “Triple 3 Rule” to filter your stress and energy. Not everything is worth your mental real estate. 🤝 Perspective Shift #2: Stay in Your Lane—But Don’t Isolate Focus on your students and your goals, but build strong connections with your support team and gen ed teachers. You’re not alone, and your people can help lighten the load. 🔍 Perspective Shift #3: Know When to Zoom In… and When to Zoom Out Being detail-oriented is a superpower—but don’t forget to zoom out and look at the big picture. Your students are making progress. So are you. Final Thoughts You can’t do it all and you don’t have to. The job is big, but it should never come at the cost of your well-being. Protect your peace, give yourself grace, and remember: you’re doing better than you think. 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

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  4. ٢٠ أغسطس

    How to Choose the Right Data Collection System for Your Classroom

    Collecting data is one of the most important parts of being a special education teacher, but let’s be honest—it’s also one of the most overwhelming. Between figuring out how to track academic, behavioral, and anecdotal progress, and deciding how often to collect it, most teachers end up feeling stuck without a system that really works. In this episode, I’m breaking down the reality of data collection and sharing practical systems you can use to make the process manageable. From data notebooks and sticky note systems to exit tickets, independent IEP folders, and IEP boxes—you’ll hear tried-and-true strategies that can be customized to fit your classroom. I’ll also give you tips for training your paraprofessionals, keeping data organized, and making sure your notes actually make sense when you go back to use them.What We’ll Cover in This Episode Why data collection often feels confusing and stressfulThe “how, when, and what” of data—and why consistency mattersTried-and-true systems you can try, including:Data notebooks Sticky note system Exit tickets Independent IEP folders IEP boxesPlus... Extra Tips to make your system work Key Takeaways You don’t need a “perfect” system—you need a consistent one.Data should serve you by guiding instruction and showing growth, not just add to your workload.With the right tools in place, data becomes a resource, not a burden.Resources Mentioned in This Episode 👉 Data Collection Sheets for Special Education Teachers – ready-to-use, customizable forms to simplify data tracking and keep you organized. 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

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  5. ١٣ أغسطس

    Mastering the Special Education Schedule (One Tetris Piece at a Time)

    Scheduling in special education isn’t for the faint of heart! Whether you’re leading a resource room program, a self-contained classroom, or managing inclusion services across multiple grades, you’ve probably felt like you were playing an endless game of Tetris...trying your hardest to make all the pieces fit without leaving gaps or losing a part of your soul. In this episode, I’m breaking down three distinct approaches: Part 1: Scheduling for a Resource Room We’ll dig into a practical, step-by-step method for building a workable resource room schedule. You’ll learn how to: Use Google Sheets in 5-minute increments for precision and flexibilityAdd all staff names across the top so you can visually track who’s doing what, whenAssign a unique color code for each para, subject, recess/lunch duty, and transition for instant clarityMap out student service minutes straight from their IEPs using color-coded sticky notes, so you can see exactly where those minutes fit best before locking anything inAdjust your plan for inevitable overlaps, push-ins, or schedule conflictsPart 2: Scheduling in a Self-Contained Program When your students are with you all day, the challenge shifts from fitting them into other schedules to structuring a daily flow that supports learning and regulation. We’ll cover how to: “Anchor” your day by first plugging in non-negotiables like arrival, lunch, recess, specials, and dismissalPlace your most demanding academic lessons during peak alertness times, and save hands-on or lower-energy activities for after lunch or late afternoonRun smooth small group rotations with paras leading activities or supervising independent workSchedule sensory and movement breaks proactively, not just reactivelyBuild in life skills, social skills, and transition time as intentional parts of the scheduleUse color-coding to quickly read the master schedule at a glanceTeach the schedule to your students so it becomes a predictable part of their dayPart 3: Scheduling for a Full Inclusion Program If your special education program is fully inclusion-based, scheduling is more about strategically embedding support into the general education environment. You’ll discover how to: Start by collecting all general education class schedules across the grades you serveLayer in your students’ IEP minutes so you can match support to the most critical times of instruction (rather than spreading minutes too thin)Coordinate with general education teachers to determine when you’ll push in, co-teach, or provide targeted small group support in the classroomFactor in paraprofessional coverage so your staff are placed where they’re most needed without overlapping unnecessarilyPlan for high-need transition times like arrival, dismissal, and lunch to ensure students are supported during those unstructured momentsKeep a flexible mindset—your inclusion schedule will likely shift frequently at the start of the year as you learn student needs and teacher expectationsBy the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear framework for making the most of your time—without feeling like the pieces are constantly falling too fast. The key isn’t creating a “perfect” sch 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

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  6. ٦ أغسطس

    Where Do I Even Start? 3 Priorities for Special Educators This Back-to-School Season

    Whether you are ready or not, back-to-school season is knocking on the door! And if you're feeling a little frozen in place, like a deer in the headlights, you're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing the three high-impact areas you should focus on first to minimize overwhelm and set yourself up for success as a special education teacher. Whether you’re brand new to the field or returning for another year, these priorities will help you go from stuck to strategic—without trying to do everything at once. We’ll cover: ✅ How to truly understand your students' IEPs and why it’s your most important first step✅ How to organize your classroom around function over flashy✅ What core systems you must set up before day one Grab my Sped Teacher Checklist: Support for New Special Educators—your step-by-step guide for staying focused, organized, and calm during back-to-school chaos. 🎧 Whether you’re staring around your classroom wondering where to begin, or knee-deep in planning already, this episode will help you breathe easier and prioritize what really matters. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: Sped Teacher Checklist: Click here to grab itFree 10-Step Team Culture Guide for Paraprofessionals: spedprepacademy.com/teamEpisode 221: 3 Steps to Start Strong with Your ParaprofessionalsGet your copy of the new and improved Paraprofessional Handbook and make this the best year ever when it comes to working with staff. 👉 Let’s Connect! Instagram: @spedprepacademy Website: www.spedprepacademy.com 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

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  7. ٣٠ يوليو

    Kickstart the School Year With Your Paras: 3 Must-Do Actions

    Welcome to the final episode of our July Paraprofessional Series! This month, we’ve talked mindset, delegation, communication, and even heard directly from paras themselves.  But today’s episode is all about action—because a strong team doesn’t just happen… it’s built. And it starts with YOU. In this episode, I’m walking you through 3 simple but powerful steps you can take to start the school year off right with your paraprofessionals. These are the exact things I wish I had started doing earlier in my own career—and they’ve made all the difference. Whether you’re working with one para or a whole team, this episode will help you lay the foundation for a school year built on respect, clarity, and collaboration. What You’ll Learn: How to get your hands on a free 10-step guide to build team culture Why every para deserves a handbook and where to find oneFive essential questions to open the lines of communication from day oneResources Mentioned: 🎁 Free Team Culture Guide: spedprepacademy.com/team📘 Editable Paraprofessional Handbook: TPT Listing - 50% off through Aug. 6📚 Bound Handbook on Amazon – Coming Soon! Link will be added to the show notes once liveNext Month’s Sneak Peek: August is all about back-to-school success! I’ll be sharing tips for setting up your classroom, building a master schedule, and managing your caseload without overwhelm. Make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss an episode! ✨ Let’s kick off the year with confidence and collaboration. You’ve got this! 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

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  8. ٢٣ يوليو

    Building Stronger Teams: What Paras Wish Teachers Knew

    This week’s episode is a little different because it’s not about us as teachers. It’s about the incredible individuals who support us and our students every single day: our paraprofessionals. Throughout July, we've been focusing into how to build strong para-teacher relationships, and in this episode, we’re hearing directly from the voices that matter most. I asked a group of current and former paraprofessionals five powerful questions about their roles, challenges, and what they need from their supervising teachers—and their answers were honest, heartfelt, and eye-opening. ✨ Inside this episode, we explore: What makes a para feel valued and respectedThe misunderstandings teachers often have about their roleWhat paras wish would change in the way they collaborate with teachersWhy input, clarity, and recognition matter more than you might thinkHow we can better provide the training and tools they truly need💡 You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how to create a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative environment for your paras—and why doing so leads to better outcomes for your entire classroom. 🎧 Whether you’re new to working with paras or want to strengthen your existing team dynamic, this episode is a must-listen. Get the FREE 10-Step Guide to Begin Creating a TEAM Culture With Your Staff  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

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The Go-To Podcast for Special Educators who want to reduce their stress and begin to feel success.Hey special educator…Overwhelmed by the absurd amount of paperwork on your to-do list? Wish you had the skills to build a rock-solid team with your paraprofessionals? Do you find yourself scouring the internet for how to meet the diverse needs of each student on your caseload? Hey there friend…I’m Jennifer Hofferber from Sped Prep Academy, an award winning veteran special education teacher and current instructional coach who has walked in your shoes through each of these challenges. And yes, I've got the metaphorical blisters to prove it!  I’ve cried your tears and felt your pain and now I’m here to support you the way I wish someone would have been there to support me.  Listen in each week as my guests and I dish out practical wisdom to help you handle all the classroom curveballs thrown your way, and learn how to laugh in spite of the chaos to celebrate those small, yet significant victories that only a special educator can understand. So…Are you ready? Wipe your tears and put on your superhero cape because together we are going to learn how to survive and thrive in the ever crazy, completely overwhelming, laugh so you don’t cry profession of being a special education teacher. Next Steps: Visit the Website: https://www.spedprepacademy.com Join the Free Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SpedPrepAcademy Email Me: jennifer@spedprepacademy.com

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