My Journey from Self-Contained to Inclusion

In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, Lisa gets real about rediscovering her passion and bouncing back from burnout in a special education classroom. After stepping away for a year on maternity leave, she returned to the self-contained setting she once loved, only to find herself feeling disconnected and stuck. It took a lot of courage, but Lisa chose to walk away and take on a new challenge as a fifth-grade inclusion teacher in a different district.

She opens up about the tough moments of doubt, the steep learning curve, and how finding the right teaching fit helped her in rediscovering her passion for the job. Through it all, Lisa discovered the power of connecting with her students on a deeper level and reigniting the passion she thought was lost. Her story is a reminder that it’s okay to step back, rethink your path, and take that leap toward rediscovering passion and finding fulfillment in your career. If you've ever questioned your place in education, this one’s for you.

Episode Highlights:

• The Journey of Rediscovery: Lisa recounts her experiences in a self-contained autism classroom and the feelings of burnout that led her to consider a change in her teaching career.
• Importance of Change: Listeners learn about the significance of taking time off and exploring new opportunities to reignite passion and enthusiasm for teaching.
• Building Relationships: Lisa emphasizes the joy of connecting with students in her new inclusion role, highlighting the positive impact of supportive colleagues and a collaborative environment.
• Encouragement to Seek Fulfillment: The episode encourages educators who may feel stagnant or unfulfilled in their current positions to explore new paths and make necessary changes for their professional happiness.

Resources Mentioned:

• Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom 
  

Connect with Me:

• Instagram: @chalkboard_superhero
• Join my Facebook group, Special Education Superheroes
• Join my email list
• Shop my TPT store
• Join the Teach, Taskbox, Inspire Membership

More About Teach, Task Box, Inspire: The Podcast:

Teach, Task Box, Inspire: The Podcast is your go-to educational podcast dedicated to making your job as a special education teacher easier and more enjoyable. Your host, Lisa Hollady, is a veteran special education teacher with a passion for helping teachers like you make a real difference in the lives of your students.

In your demanding roles, you’re constantly juggling various responsibilities, from differentiated instruction and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to data collection, and, of course, teaching. That’s where task boxes come in.

Task boxes aren’t just teaching tools. They’re the key to unlocking student independence, student engagement, and personalized learning. Through this podcast, you’ll uncover the incredible task box benefits for your special needs students and practical implementation tips that you can take to your classroom.

Tune in each Monday for a new episode that will equip you with essential strategies and motivation to approach your week with confidence and enthusiasm. Topics will include task box activities, social and emotional development, adaptive teaching, inclusive teaching, supporting diverse learners, classroom management, scheduling, visual aids, and more.

If you’re looking for more special education resources and support to increase student independence, check out Lisa's FREE training.