Whether you are ready or not, back-to-school season is knocking on the door!

And if you're feeling a little frozen in place, like a deer in the headlights, you're not alone.

In this episode, I'm sharing the three high-impact areas you should focus on first to minimize overwhelm and set yourself up for success as a special education teacher. Whether you’re brand new to the field or returning for another year, these priorities will help you go from stuck to strategic—without trying to do everything at once.

We’ll cover:

• ✅ How to truly understand your students' IEPs and why it’s your most important first step
• ✅ How to organize your classroom around function over flashy
• ✅ What core systems you must set up before day one

Grab my Sped Teacher Checklist: Support for New Special Educators—your step-by-step guide for staying focused, organized, and calm during back-to-school chaos.

🎧 Whether you’re staring around your classroom wondering where to begin, or knee-deep in planning already, this episode will help you breathe easier and prioritize what really matters.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Sped Teacher Checklist: Click here to grab it
• Free 10-Step Team Culture Guide for Paraprofessionals: spedprepacademy.com/team
• Episode 221: 3 Steps to Start Strong with Your Paraprofessionals

Get your copy of the new and improved Paraprofessional Handbook and make this the best year ever when it comes to working with staff.

👉 Let’s Connect!
Instagram: @spedprepacademy
Website: www.spedprepacademy.com

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
Instagram
TPT