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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-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!)
Episodes
154 episodes
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...
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7:57
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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"—...
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10:18
150. Real Talk: Training Paraprofessionals on the Clock
What happens when you're expected to train your paraprofessional team... but you're not given any time to actually do it?In this episode, we're keeping it real with practical tips for special educators who are trying to lead a team whil...
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9:25
149. Special Ed Survival Mode: Resetting When You’re Feeling Behind
Tired of feeling like you’re already behind by October? You’re not alone. The truth is, you’re not behind because you’re doing something wrong—you’re behind because there’s that much on your plate.In this episode of Special ...
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7:43
148. The 2-Minute Shortcut to Finding the Right Student Tasks
Tired of spending hours hunting for the right student tasks? In this episode of Special Educators Resource Room, I’ll show you how to cut through the overwhelm and find exactly what your students need — in just a couple of minutes. Think of it ...
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12:14
147. Let's Differentiate a General Education Lesson Together
How I’d differentiate a scripted math lesson Math Lesson - without doing more work: Eureka Math is a strong curriculum—but not every lesson is a perfect fit for your students. In this episode, I walk through exactly how I’d differen...
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11:43
146. Stepping Into a Small School with Big Habits: Special Educators POV
Ever walk into a school that feels more like a family reunion than a functioning team? You’re not alone.In this episode, I’m answering a real question from a high school special ed teacher trying to reset routines in a small school with...
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10:13
145. Planning an Inclusion Lesson? Start Here
Planning for inclusion doesn’t have to mean creating a whole second lesson—or carrying the entire differentiation load by yourself. In this episode, I’m sharing three practical moves I use to make inclusion work without the overwhelm. Whether y...
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8:37
144. What If You’re the Only One Who Cares About Inclusion?
In this episode, we're tackling one of the most frustrating realities in special education: when inclusion feels like a solo mission. I’m walking you through small, strategic ways to keep making progress—even when no one else seems ...
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7:52
143. The IEP Meeting That Went Sideways: What to do next
If you’ve ever walked out of an IEP meeting thinking, “What just happened?”—you’re not alone.In this episode, I’m diving into what really causes meetings to go sideways—and how you can recover when they do. From unexpected conflict to m...
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6:58
142. Paraprofessionals Interrupting During Lessons? Let’s fix that
"Paraprofessionals are distracting students by interrupting during lessons. What should I do?" - a frustrated special educatorThis episode breaks down the most common reasons paras step in at the wrong moments and how to address...
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9:57
141. A Week in My Planning Brain: Special Educators Edition
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by everything you could be doing to prep for the week ahead, this episode is here to offer some much-needed clarity. I’m breaking down my planning rhythm by day—from prepping para support on Mondays to catching u...
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7:27
140. Back-to-School Edition – Real Answers to Real Teacher Questions
Back-to-school season brings excitement… and overwhelm. In this episode, I’m answering five real questions from special educators about what actually matters during those first few weeks. From what to prioritize in Week 1, to how to support (an...
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8:17
139. What I Wished I Had Prepped Before the New School Year
Back-to-school prep doesn’t have to mean laminating late into the night. In this episode, I’m breaking down what I really wish I had prepped before the school year began—things that made a lasting impact on student independence and cla...
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8:53
138. Five Minute End of Day Reset for Teachers
When the school day ends, it’s tempting to bolt out the door the second your last student leaves. But what if five intentional minutes could make tomorrow go smoother?In this episode, I’m sharing the Five-Minute Reset—an end-of-day habit...
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7:20
137. 3 Mistakes to Avoid when Setting Up Routines (& How to Fix Them)
If your independent work routine is starting to feel more frustrating than functional, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing the three most common mistakes I see with independent work systems—and more importantly, how to fix them witho...
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8:35
136. Binders, Baskets, or Bins? Organizing Your Classroom
Are your classroom materials taking over? If you're tired of digging through bins or wondering where to put your ever-growing task card collection, this episode is for you.In Episode 136 of the Special Educators Resource Room podcast...
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8:29
BONUS: Your Teacher Summer Break isn't a Syllabus
Everywhere you turn, there’s another summit, webinar, or workshop calling your name. ✋ While professional development can be powerful, your summer break doesn’t have to become one big to-do list. In this bonus episode, I’m sharing a he...
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5:30
135. Classroom Color-Coding Yay or Nay?
Color-coded bins. Rainbow task boxes. Laminated schedules with pastel tabs. We’ve seen it all… but does it actually help?In this episode of the Special Educators Resource Room Podcast we’re cutting through the color-coded chaos. I...
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8:04
133. When Routines Go Sideways: A Special Educator's Reboot
You’ve prepped the tasks, taught the routine, and set up the system… so why does it suddenly feel like your independent work time is falling apart?In this episode, I’m walking you through what to do when your once-reliable routine starts...
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11:28
132. How to Introduce Routines Without Chaos (or Resistance)
Ready to launch task boxes—or troubleshoot your current setup? This episode walks you through exactly how to introduce task boxes with structure and intention, whether you’re planning ahead for a fresh school year or starting the second week of...
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10:28
131. One Binder System That’s Actually Worth the Setup
Not all binder systems are worth your time—but this one is. In this episode, I’m walking you through the only binder system I keep coming back to year after year: the Student Work Binder. Learn how to set it up, keep it running with minimal eff...
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8:58
130. When You Have NO Time for Progress Monitoring
Progress monitoring doesn’t have to be complicated—or exhausting. In this episode, we’re talking about practical ways to track student growth when your time and energy are already stretched thin. Learn how to shift your mindset, simplify your s...
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9:06