
How to Tackle IEPs Before the School Year Starts
The start of the school year sets the tone for everything that follows—and the way you approach the first 10EPs can feel overwhelming—especially at the beginning of the school year. But getting ahead of them is one of the best things you can do for your students and your sanity.
In this episode of Teach. Task Box. Inspire., Lisa Hollady shares a clear, step-by-step approach to tackling each IEP before Day One. You’ll learn exactly which parts of the IEP to focus on, what to highlight for planning, and how to use that information to support your students from the very start.
Lisa also walks you through how to create a quick and effective IEP-at-a-glance sheet. This tool helps you:
- Save time
- Communicate clearly with your team
- Make sure every IEP is followed from day one
If you’re ready to simplify your prep and feel confident going into the year, this episode is for you.
🎧 Tune in now to learn how to manage every IEP without the stress!
Episode Highlights:
- Key routines and expectations to prioritize in both settings
- What to model (and re-model) to prevent chaos later
- How inclusion and self-contained approaches differ—and where they overlap
- Why the first 10 days are more about behavior than academics
Resources Mentioned:
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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.



