End of Year Sanity Tips for Special Education Teachers

May in the world of special education is no joke—last-minute IEP meetings, behavior spikes, packing up classrooms, and chaotic schedules can leave even the most seasoned teachers feeling overwhelmed. In this end-of-year episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, I’m sharing my favorite end of year sanity tips to help you survive (and maybe even enjoy) the final stretch.

I know what it feels like to be juggling a million things—trying to finish assessments, manage big emotions, and still show up for your students with a smile. That’s why I’m giving you practical strategies that have worked in my own classroom, from prioritizing your to-do list to creating calming routines that help everyone (including you) stay regulated.

In the episode, I also share real-life stories and a few gentle reminders: You don’t have to do everything. You don’t have to do it perfectly. And yes, it’s okay to leave some things for next year.

These end of year sanity tips are designed to lighten your load, help you stay grounded, and finish the year with purpose. So whether you're drowning in glue sticks or just trying to hold it all together, take a breath—this episode is your mid-May pick-me-up.

Tune in and let’s finish strong, together.

Episode Highlights:

Why May Feels So Hard for Special Educators
Understanding the pressure, unpredictability, and emotional load that come with the end of the school year.

Lightening the Learning Load (Without Guilt)
Using task boxes, independent work systems, and errorless learning to keep kids engaged—and yourself sane.

Packing Up Without Burning Out
Tips for breaking classroom clean-up into manageable steps and enlisting para support.

Prioritizing You in the Midst of Chaos
Simple self-care strategies and mindset shifts to help educators protect their energy and finish strong.

Resources Mentioned:

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

Connect with Me:

• Instagram: @chalkboard_superhero
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• 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.