Training Paraprofessionals and Leading with Confidence

Training paraprofessionals can be one of the most challenging parts of being a special education teacher. I’ve been there — trying to explain expectations, model routines, and still keep the day running smoothly. It’s not easy!

In this week’s episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, I share my best strategies for training support staff and leading with confidence in the classroom. I talk about why communication matters, how to set clear expectations, and how to create buy-in with your team.

When I first started, I made the mistake of trying to do everything myself. But real leadership comes from training your team with patience and empathy. Once you focus on leading with confidence instead of control, everything changes.

You’ll walk away from this episode with practical tools to guide your paraprofessionals, build trust, and strengthen your classroom community.

If you’ve ever felt more like a manager than a teacher, this one’s for you. Tune in to hear how I’ve learned to balance compassion and authority — and how you can start leading with confidence every single day.

Episode Highlights:

1. Why paraprofessionals resist direction and how to uncover the real issue
   
2. The power of modeling, coaching, and feedback over “telling”
   
3. How to build team buy-in and positive para culture
   
4. What to do when nothing changes — and how to protect your sanity and professionalism

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.