A Day in the Life of a Special Education Teacher
In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, host Lisa Hollady provides a detailed glimpse into a typical day as a 5th-grade special education inclusion teacher. She highlights the diverse responsibilities special educators undertake, from collaborating with colleagues and documenting student progress to offering in-class support and individual interventions.
Lisa emphasizes the importance of flexibility in meeting the academic, emotional, and physical needs of her students, while also outlining the various tasks she handles throughout her day, including lesson planning, progress monitoring, and collaboration with specialists. This episode serves to demystify the role of special education teachers, showcasing the dynamic and rewarding nature of their work.
Episode Highlights:
- Flexible Scheduling: Special education teachers must be adaptable, managing a variety of tasks while responding to the unique needs of each student throughout the day.
- Collaboration is Key: Constant communication and teamwork with classroom teachers, specialists, and support staff are vital for ensuring that interventions align with students' Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Daily Routine: Lisa shares her structured daily routine, from early morning preparations to various instructional blocks, showcasing how she balances direct instruction with planning and collaboration.
- Focus on Well-Being: The importance of self-care is highlighted as Lisa prioritizes taking mental breaks and protecting her well-being, illustrating that a teacher's health directly impacts their effectiveness in the classroom.
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.