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

128. One Task You Can Take Off Your Special Educator Plate Today

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Delegating tasks in the special education classroom isn't a luxury but a necessity for teacher sustainability and effective classroom management. This episode is a must-listen if you often think "it's faster if I just do it myself!"

If you're ready to start delegating but need help setting clear expectations, check out our Paraprofessional Training and Expectations Manual. This editable resource helps outline roles, routines, and responsibilities. 

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/

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Speaker 1:

If you've ever caught yourself thinking it'll just be faster if I do it myself, this new episode of Special Educators Resource Room is for you.

Speaker 2:

Hey, special Educators, I'm Jennifer from Positively Learning. Welcome to the Special Educators Resource Room. If you're like me, you're always looking for ways to save time and streamline your work. That's why this podcast was created to give you the systems and solutions you need to get your time back. Tune in for tips, tricks and tools that will help you manage your workload and make the most of your time. Whether you're brand new or experienced, all are welcome in the Special Educators Resource Room.

Speaker 1:

Welcome back to Special Educators Resource Room Podcast. I'm your host, jennifer from Positively Learning. I really struggled with the title of this episode. It was originally titled One Task you Can Delegate to a Paraprofessional Today, but then I thought well, if you don't have any support which is the reality for so many you may not even click, listen. And I still think there are a lot of tips and mindset shifts that are helpful in this episode. So, either way, I'm so glad that you took the chance and hit play.

Speaker 1:

Today. We're talking about one small but mighty move delegating just one task off your plate today, because I know how it goes. You have a growing to-do list, your students need support, your inbox is full of reminders, but maybe there's someone out there whether it's a paraprofessional, an intern, student, teacher, instructional coach, a friend and they're asking what can I do? And even though they're ready to help, it can feel like more work to explain than to just do it yourself. So today we're going to be changing that without adding more to your plate.

Speaker 1:

First, let's check in with our mindset. Delegating is a skill and for a lot of us in special education it doesn't come naturally. Maybe it's a bit of control, maybe you've worked with people in the past who weren't super reliable, or maybe you're just so used to juggling everything that handing over one thing it feels like a weird luxury. But here's the truth. Delegating isn't lazy luxury, but here's the truth. Delegating isn't lazy, it's leadership, because you're not offloading half your job. You're just starting with one task that doesn't require you and your unique expertise to complete it. If you're rolling your eyes or cringing a bit, I've got you. Here are five easy, safe tasks that you can hand off today without needing to prep or train for hours.

Speaker 1:

Number one prepping independent work. So think task boxes, file folders, work binders. This is Velcroing, cutting, organizing by level. Number two resetting independent work, so pulling finished work and restocking for the next activity. Number three filing or labeling materials, especially if you already have a system in place. Number four running a familiar activity, so something your students already know how to do. Number five recording data for skills that are clearly defined and observable. So think yes, no behaviors or task completion. And if that all still feels like too much, try this baby step have someone check and refill supply bins. It's small, but it's still so helpful. Hopefully you're coming around to the idea. Here's how to make it stick. Try out this super simple script. Hey, I'm going to have you take this one over today. The students already know the routine. Just watch out for insert a helpful tip. Let me know if anything comes up. Or you could just say can you help me out by taking care of this one task today? It'll free me up to focus on whatever you're going to do. It's clear, it's appreciative.

Speaker 2:

Zero guilt.

Speaker 1:

Why does this matter? When you delegate a task, you get breathing room, whether it's to review data, answer an email or just catch your breath between transitions. Whoever you're working with feels trusted and empowered, which often leads to greater initiative and ownership. Your students are going to get more consistency and support, even when you're pulled in five different directions and, most importantly, you're building a smoother classroom flow, one where you're not the only one holding everything together. Delegation is one of those quiet leadership skills that doesn't always get talked about, but it's essential to surviving in this role. You don't have to do it all, and honestly, you shouldn't. Here's your takeaway for today Pick one thing, just one, and hand it off. It might be resetting an independent activity, might be collecting finished task cards or prepping visuals. Could be something like grabbing your to copy folder and running copies. It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be off your plate and then notice what changes, not just in your workload but in the way your classroom feels when responsibilities are shared.

Speaker 1:

If you're ready to start delegating but not exactly sure how to set clear expectations, or if you've ever felt awkward asking a paraprofessional to take on a new task, I've got something for you, I'll put a link in the show notes to a paraprofessional training and expectations manual. It's going to help you clearly outline roles, routines annual. It's going to help you clearly outline roles, routines and responsibilities. It's editable and it's easy to use. You can grab the link to this binder in the show notes. Thank you for tuning in today and for being an educator who's not afraid to lead with both heart and strategy. You are here. You're looking for ways to strengthen your team and create smoother systems. You're not just holding it all together, you're building something that's going to last and that is worth celebrating. I'll catch you next time in the special educators resource room.

Speaker 2:

Thanks so much for tuning in and I'm dying to ask what'd you think? Be sure to hit the follow or subscribe buttons that you never miss an episode. You can find the show notes and links for everything mentioned in this episode at PositivelyLearningBlogcom. See you next week for more special education solutions.